I just seized papa around the neck and ran away with him down here.” “Why here, of all places on earth?” “Oh, he’s interested in some mines and concessions and things. It’s very beautiful, but I almost wish I’d stayed at home and married Bobby.” “Which is Bobby?” “He’s one of the home boys. We’ve grown up together, and I’m so fond of him. Only it’s more the brother-and-sister sort of thing, if he’d let it be.” “Check off No. 1. What’s No. 2?” “Lots older. Mr. Thomas Murray Smith is an unspoiled millionaire. If he weren’t so serious and quite so dangerously near forty—well, I don’t know.” “Have you kept No. 3 for the last because he’s the best?” “No-o-o-o. Because he’s the nearest. He followed me down. You can see his name in all its luster on the Hotel Kast register, when you get back to the city—Preston Fairfax Fitzhugh Carroll, at your service.” “Sounds Southern,” commented the man below. “Southern! He’s more Southern than the South Pole. His ancestors fought all the wars and owned all the negroes—he calls them ‘niggers’—and married into all the first families of Virginia, and all that sort of thing. He must quite hate himself, poor Fitz, for falling in love with a little Yankee like me. In fact, that’s why I made him do it.” “And now you wish he hadn’t?” “Oh—well—I don’t know. He’s awfully good-looking and gallant and devoted and all that. Only he’s such a prickly sort of person. I’d have to spend the rest of my life keeping him and his pride out of trouble. And I’ve no taste for diplomacy. Why, only last week he declined to dine with the President of the Republic because some one said that his excellency had a touch of the tar brush.” “He’d better get out of this country before that gets back to headquarters.” “If he thought there was danger, he’d stay forever. I don’t suppose Fitz is afraid of anything on earth. Except perhaps of me,” she added after-thoughtfully. “Young woman, you’re a shameless flirt!” accused the invisible one in stern tones. “If I am, it isn’t
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