But at
last Chiquita jumped up with a great appearance of alarm.
"Heavens! the time," she cried. "I have stayed too long by much.
Stephanie will miss me."
He rose and stretched out his hand as if to hold her.
"Shall I come again to-morrow?"
She grew suddenly earnest.
"No, no, senor. That is something you should not ask. If ever we
are to meet again, it must be with my father's consent. Please! Do
not urge, for truly I would have to refuse." She let her palm rest
in his an instant, and her cheek went scarlet as he pressed it to
his lips. Then she said: "Go, Mr. Brazen One. How greatly it
surprised me to find you here I cannot say. It gave me such a
start! And, Senor Antonio--my father may be found any day at his
bank." Before he could detain her she was gone, flitting up the
path with just one flashing smile of mischief over her shoulder.
Anthony went home with his head in the clouds. All his doubts were
now at rest; for while Chiquita had stubbornly denied him all
encouragement, he felt sure that her heart had answered. It was in
the highest spirits, therefore, that he opened a letter he found
awaiting him, and read as follows:
DEAR KIRK,--I hope you are heartily sick of yourself and ready to
do something decent for a change.
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