The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-03-16

bSNh W hlcpCillS a. LILY CiAo 'OA CAhSS
you said it? 1t has nearly driven me
mad Why didn't you come back as
you promised"
at was Stephanie-she is such a
ferocious person! I was brought to
the city that day-but no, senior. I
did not promise. l said only per.
haps.'"
Have you done your penance?'
1T was finished yesterday. This is
the first time l have been out. Oh, 1t
is delightful. The music-the people"
"And ! can come to see you now?"
VERY we'll do you know that you
cannot. Have you not learned our
customs? DO not be foolish, or l shall
be forced to walk with my father"
Don't do that. Can't you see we
must make haste while the curtain is
down."
II do not see. am strolling in search
Of the cool air" She bowed and smiled
at some passing friends. She seemed
very careless, very flippant. She was
not at all the impetuous, mischievous
Chiquita he had met in the woods.
"See here.' he said soberly. I've
can't 60 on this way. Now that I've
met your father, Pm going to explain
my intentions to him. and ask his
permission to call on YOU
My father is stern man. In his
home he is entirely a Spaniard, and if
he learned hoW-we met. for instance"
even under the electric light he saw
her tlush-"he would create terrible
scene
Trust me. | sha'n't tell him."
There are SO many reasons why it
is useless.
Name one.
"One" She shrugged lightly. "In the
first place ] care nothing for you. Is
not that enough:"
NO, indeed. You'll get over that"
Let us imagine, then, the contrary.
You Americans are entirely different
from our people You are cold de-
liberate. wicked-your social customs
are not like ours. You do not at all
understand us. How then could you
be interested to meet Spanish fam.
ily!"
Why, you're half American"
ooh. yes, although it is to be re-
GREETED. Why, there is no other nice
girl in all Panama who would have
talked with you as | did in the forest
that day"
"But what has all this to do with
my coming to see you?'
ut is difficult to explain, since you
will not understand When a young
man is accepted into Spanish house,
many things are taken for granted.
/, Besides that, we do not know each 9TH
err you and l. Also, if you should
come to see me it would cause gossip,
misunderstanding among my friends
'I'll declare myself in advance" he
promised warmly.
"No, no, no. We Spanish-Americans
I do not care for strangers. We have
our own people and we are satisfied.
1t is much better that old people who
are of more experience should discuss
these questions"
But don't you want to have voice
in your own affairs?' he eagerly urged.
She answered frankly: 81 do rebel
sometimes. Iprotest, but it is only the
American blood in me-"
IF you'd learn to know me little
bit, maybe you'd enjoy having me
around the house."
"But | cannot know you. any more
than you can know me-" she cried,
with little gesture of despair at his
dullness. Don't you see-before we
could get acquainted nicely people
would be talking"
Lets try. You're living at the coun-
try place again. aren't you? Suppose
should get lost some day-tomorrow.
for instance?"
"No. no. Listen. 1t is the warning
bell. and we must return"
The crowd was filing into the theater
now. They fell in behind Senior Cara
vel and Mrs. Cortlandt
I'm going hunting again tomorrow"
prophesied Kirk, land I'm almost Ger.
tain to lose my way-about 8 o'clock.
Suppose we have another stroll after
the next act?"
81 shall be with my father. Never
before have enjoyed so much liber-
ty." She sighed gratefully.
"Oh, l detest your blamed, strait
laced Spanish customs" he cried hotly.
"What do they amount to. anyhow? l
love you. do. | do
She laughed and darted to her IA
Tiers side.
Don't you think Miss Garavel is a
pretty girl7" Mrs. Cortiandt question.
ed. as they strolled toward their box.
"She's a dream" Anthony's tone left
nothing unSaid.
You got along together capitally.
Most of the senoritas are impossible"
by the way. what is her name?"
"GertrudiS Rather pleasing, think"