Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-10-19
HEART OF THE SUNSET b .l7 REX * BEACH gsA i

nsteped with growing fright. her eyes wero
wide and they were nxed hypnoticaily upon
the speaker she presented much the eppcar-
ance Of rabbit charmed by serpent
was a chnttel. a servant. and therefore fe-
void OF soul or intelligence. OF ure beyond
that Of serving her mistress.
Thinking 10 put an end 10 these biandlsh-
ments. Aiaire undertook 20 return the gen
erars ring. with the pretense that she con-
sldered IL no more than a tailsman loaned
her for the time being. hut u was task
10 make Isongorio accept a. He was
shocked offended. hurt; he declared the
ring 20 be Of no value u was no more than
trinlng evidence OF hts esteem. But Aiairs
was nrn.
your customs are different 10 ours" she
told him. "An American woman is not
permitted 10 accept valuable presents. and
this would cause disagrecable comment"
At such thought the generals finest
sensibllities were wounded, but nothing, u
seemed could permanently dampen bis
arior. and he soon proceeded 10 prcss his
attentions with even more vehefneuce than
before. He had brought Alaire candles
OF American manufacture, Mexican sweet
meats Of the finest variety. beauttnn
4, silken shawl. and az midday the grixxicd
teniente came with a basket OF lunch con-
tanning dainties and fruits and vacuum
bottles with hot and cold drinks.
when invited 70 share the contents. the
| general was plainly overloyed. but he was
| 30 enthraled by his companions beauty
that he could eat but little.
IL was a most embarrassing situation
Longorio kept Aiaire forever upon the de-
| fensive. and II sorcly taxed her ingenuity
| TO hold the conversation In safe channels-
| As the journey proceeded II transpred that
the man had made use OF his opportunities
TO learn everything about hor even 20 her
| life with Ed. His information was ex-
tensive, and his deductions almost uncanny
/ In their correctness. He told her about
Austin's support OF the Rebel cause and her
| own daily doings at Las Paimas: he In
| timated that her unhappiness was almost
more than he could bear.
| This intimate knowledge and sympathy
| he seemed to regard as bond that somc-
how united them. He was no longer new
| acquaintance but close and loyal friend
whose regard was deathless.
Undoubtedly the man had way with
him. He impressed people, and his mag
! netism was potent. Moreover. he knew the
knack OF holding what ground he gained
II was an odd unreal ride, through the
blazing heat OF the long afternoon Lon
gorio cast on all his pretense and openly
laid siege 10 the red-haired woman'a heart
all without Offering her the smallest
chance to rebut him. the slightest ground
for open resentment. 80 respectful and
guarded were his advances. Rut he was
forcefu In his way, and the very Intensity
OF his desires made him incapable OF dis
couragement. SO the duel progressed
Alaire cool and unyieiding, he warm, per
slstent and tireiess. He wove about her an
influence as difficult to combat as the
smothering folds of some hocculent robe
or the strands OF an invisible web. and nc
spider was ever more industrious.
when the train arrived at It's destination
, his victim was well-nigh exhausted from ths
+, struggle. He helped her into a coach will
l the gentlest and gravest courtesy. and no
} until the vehicle rolled away did Alair
dare TO relax. Through her fatigue sh
| could stu hear his soft farewell until tn
r morrow and realized that she had commit
ted herself To his further assistance HI
{ palms against hers had been warm, hi
q adoring eyes had caressed her, but she al
G not care. All she wished now was 20 reac
- her hotel. and then her bed.
d After good nights rcst however, Aiair
= was able to smile at yesterdays adventur.
II Longorio did not bulk so large now eve
II those few hours had greatly diminished hi
Importance, 30 that he appeared merely q
an impulsive foreigner who had allowed
'e woman TO turn his head. Alaire knew wit
y what admiration evon moderately attrni
70 tive American woman Is greeted In Mexic
~ and she had no idea that this fellow ha
"A experienced anything more than feetir
infatuatlon. Now that she had piainl
IT shown her dstnste for his outlaw EN-,
10 tlons and convinced him that they awoi
In her no faintest response. she wns cor
AZ hdent that his frenzy would run its bri'
= course and die. Meanwhile, II was M
ethics 20 take advantage OF the impressio
1r she had made upon him and with his hel
er push through fair financial settlement {
her loss,
t. CONTINUED TOMORROW,