Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1914-04-29

Don't stop dancing now, Wnen 1
tell you. Chiquita dear, you must
marry me tonight, right away! 1 have
arranged everything. No, don't look
up at me until I have finished. Try
to smile. I've planned it all out and
everything is in readiness. / have a
room just around the corner OF the
veranda; there's a judge waiting for
us, and Runnels and his wife,
"YOu are mad!" she gaSped.
"No, no. Well slip through one of
the French windows, and we'll be back
again before they miss us. Nobody
will know. tell you they're waiting. If
we are missed they'll think-it doesn't
matter what they think, you'll be my
wife, and Ramon can't marry you
then. Wen say nothing about it until
your father is elected president"
"Senor, one cannot be married in a
moment I am Catholic-the banns'-
give thought of all that, but a civil
marriage is binding. Well have the
religious ceremony afterward; mean
while this will stop Ramon, at least.
I promise not to see you again until
you send for me-until your fathers
hopes are realized. You may wait as
long as you wish, and nobody will
know. They tricked you, ChiQuita,
dear; 1 can't explain, but it wasn't all
politics; by any means. Oh, girl! Don't
you understand; 1 love you-love you!
It's our only chance" The words were
tumbling from his lips incoherently;
he was pleading as if for his life, while
she chung to him to support herself
Through 1t all their feet moved rhyth-
mically, their bodies swayed to the ca
dences Of the waltz as they circled the
ballroom.
He knew it was her lifelong loyalty,
her traditional sense of obedience that
made her hesitate.
''Mother of GOdr' she exclaimed
family. "Is it that 1 am dreaming?"
''They are waiting for us; the dance
is half over already. I love yOu-bet-
ter than all the world. Do you remem-
Der two nights ago? You kissed me
then, and-I-I-can't live without you.
Well go away together, you and 1,
through all the wOrld-just we two"
She gave a historical, choking sob
that was half a sigh. Then her eyes
flashed upward to his-they were wide
and bright and shining-her lips were
parted, her body was 1.-THE and full of
life. She slipped from his embrace,
whispering:
eyes, yes! Quickly, senor!' And
the next instant they were out upon
the wide gallery with the dance be-
hind them. "Hurree, hurree. or they
will follow"
Together they fed along the north
wing of the hotel. The girl was pant
ing, with one hand held to her bare
throat. But she ran like a fawn.
"Here!' He swung her around the
corner and raped sharply at door.
Quickly! Quicklyy' she moaned
''For the love off,
With terrific force the door was fair
~ jerked from its hinges and slammed
to behind them. The next moment
AIlan's big body was leaning against
it, as If the wall were about to fall in
ward upon him. Runnels leaped for
ward with an exclamation; his wife
stood staring, her face as white as
snow. With them was the genial gray
haired judge from Colon, whom Kirk
had met at the Wayfarers' club on the
night of his arrival.
"You made itg' Runnels cried tri.
umphantly.
''Miss GaravelI' his wife echoed.
"Thank heaven you came"
''Quick, the music will stop! Judge,
this is Miss Garavel. You must marry
us just as fast as you can"
81 presume You consent?" the judge
asked.
"I-I want to be happy" she said
simply.
''You understand, judge, she's of age.
So am I. They want to force her to
marry a man she DOESN'T
The muffled strains of music ceased.
There came the faint clapping of
hands.
''Madre Gle Diosr' Miss Garavel cried.
eve are too later She beat her little
palms together in desperation.
There was a breathless interval.
Then the music began again, and to
its throbbing measures the marriage
ceremony was performed. AS the last
word was pronounced Mrs. Runnels
burst into tears and hid her face
against her husbands breast Runnels
himself held forth a shaking hand to
Kirk, then patted the bride clumsily
upon her shoulder.
II know you will be happy now, Mrs
Anthony" he said.
With an incoherent cry of delight
Kirk folded his wife in his arms, and
she kissed him before them all.
"Come, we must get back. The mu-
sic has stopped again" Kirk turned
to the judge Nothing is to be said
until Miss Gar-Mrs. Anthony gives
the word, you understand? 1 can't
thank you all half enough. Now. Al