Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1914-04-01


YES, sir. l was about to say if she
really loves him l can't make any diff
ference. But suppose she should care
| for me?''
Again it could make no difference
| once she had married Ramon. But she
is too young to know her own mind.
Youth is headstrong and blinded by
| dreams; hence it is better that mar
riage should be arranged by older per-
sons.''
Exactly. That's why want you to
arrange mine" The banker smiled in
spite of himself, for he was not with
out sense of humor. and the young
mans sincerity was winning.
1T is out of the question: he said;
useless to discuss. Forgetting for the
moment all other considerations, there
is an obstacle to your marriage into a
Spanish family which you do not stop
to consider, one which might well
prove insurmountable. speak of reli-
gion."
mo trouble there, SIR
"You are then a CathoIic?"
1T was my mothers faith, and
was brought up in it until she died.
After that / sort of neglected it. You
see, am more of Catholic than any,
thing else"
What we call bad Catholic?"
eyes, sir. But if l were not it
wouldn't make any difference Chi
Quita is my religion"
"WhO?" The father started
IL call her that" Kirk explained
in confusion; ito myself. of course
Indeed! So do l." said Senior Cara
vel dryly. For a moment he frowned
in meditation. There were many
things to consider. He felt a certain
sympathy for this young man, with his
ghtforwardness and artless brus-
Querie. Moreover, though the banker
was no great respecter of persons. the
mention Of Darwin K. Anthony had
impressed him. If Kirk were all that
he seemed he had no doubt of the ulti-
mate reconciliation of father and son.
At all events it would do no harm to
learn more of this extraordinary suit
or, and meanwhile he must treat him
with respect while carefully guarding
his own dignity against possibly i'm
pertinent advances.
'She has been promised to Ramon"
he said. at last. land have considered
her future quite settled Of course,
such arrangements are frequently al
tered for various causes, even at the
last moment. but-who knows?' He
shrugged his shoulders. "She may not
wish to entertain your suit So why
discuss it? Why make plans or prom
ises? It Is matter to be handled
With the greatest deifcay; there are i'm
portant issues linked with it. For a
young man l have known so very short
time"-he smiled genially-"you have
impressed me not unfavorably. /
thank you for coming to me, at any
rate"
The two men rose and shook hands;
Kirk was not altogether cast down by
the result of the interview. He I'M
derstoOd the bankers allusion to the
possible change of arrangements, and
felt sure from what Chiquita had told
him that the marriage with Ramon
could not take place after the true ma
ture of Garavels political aspirations
became known.
The truth was that Andres Garavel
had not hesitated long after that
memorable night ct the Tivon before
accepting the brilliant prize which the
Cortlandts had dangled so alluringly
before his eyes, and the decision once
made, he had entered into the scheme
with all his soul. He was wise enough,
however, to leave his destiny largely
in their hands.
1t was not long after Kinks visit to
the bank that Garavel, during a con-
ference with the Cortlandts, took &C.
! casion to bring up the young mans
name. Cortlandt had been called to
the telephone, and Edith was left free
to answer without constraint.
st have seen you and him riding
quite frequently" her guest remarked,
with polite interest. SIS he, then, an
old friend?'
eyes, we are very fond of him. He
will be promoted soon, by the way, al
though he doesn't know it. He is to
replace Runnels as soon as he is able.
Kirk is certain to succeed, and old
Anthony will come round, if 1 know
American fathers"
Garavel smiled, well pleased that he
had treated his recent visitor with
proper consideration. After all, why
not invite the young fellow to his
house? That would be rather sig
nificant step according to Spanish GUS
tom, yet he need not be bound by it.
He could put a stop to the affair at
any time. Besides, despite his frequent
protestations to the contrary, he was
somewhat Influenced by his daughters
desire for more liberty. 1t was not fair
to her, he thought in his heart, that
she should know only Ramon. One rea-
son especially appealed to. his pride. If
break came between him and Al
farez, Ramon must not appear to have
Tilted Gertrudis. If, meanwhile, she