Try to smile. I've
planned it all out and everything is in readiness. I 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. We'll slip through one of the French windows, and we'll
be back again before they miss us. Nobody will know. I 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. We'll say nothing about it until your father is elected
President."
"Senor, one cannot be married in a moment. I am Catholic--the
banns--"
"I've thought of all that, but a civil marriage is binding. We'll
have the religious ceremony afterward; meanwhile this will stop
Ramon, at least. I promise not to see you again until you send for
me, until your father's hopes are realized. You may wait as long
as you wish, and nobody will know. They tricked you, Chiquita
dear; I can't explain, but it wasn't all politics, by any means.
Oh, girl! Don't you understand, I 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 clung to him to
support herself. Through it all their feet moved rhythmically,
their bodies swayed to the cadences of the waltz as they circled
the ballroom.
Pages:
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437