Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-11-14
CHAPTER xxyII-tCont,nued)

SsIITELL. he doesn't look like much of a
w priest but probably ne will do. As Tor
me, don't believe i'm such things. Churches
are all very well for ignorant people, bui
we MeXicans are too intelligent; we are
making an end of them"
The priest was n small white-halrod man
with a gentle. almost tfTnid face, and at the
moment when he appeared before Alaire ne
was in anything but a happy frame OF nnnd
He had undergone, he told her, terrible eN
perience. His name was O'Malley. lie had
come from Monclova, whence the Rebels
had banished him under threat of death
Tie had seen his church despoiled of its
valuablcS, his school closed; he himself had
manage to escape only by "A miracle
During Gis flight toward the border he had
suffered every indignity, and finally Lon
goro had intercepted him and brought him
here, virtually in chains.
What a situation. What chaos he la
mented "Thc land is overrun with bandits
there is no law, no authority, no faith
religion is made a mockery. The men are
becoming inhdels and atheists, and in many
places they will not allow us to give comfort
even to their women"
rs ii as bad as that?'
Father O'Malley shook his head sadly.
you've no idea What do you think OF
n people who forbid the mention of God $
name in their schools? That is what the
revolutionists are doing. Caudeleria claims
that the churches are the property OF the
State. He confscates them and he charges
admission. He has banished all except II
few of us priests, and has shameiuiIy
prosecuted our Sisters of Mercy. oh. the
outrages Mexico is, today, the blackest
spot on the map OF Christendom.' His
voice broke. THAT is the freedom, the
liberty, the democracy, for which they are
fighting That is the new Mexico. ANA
the FederaIs are not a bit better. This
I,ongorlo, for instance, this - wolf - he
brings me here, as his prisoner, 10 solemn
ize an unholy marriage! He treats me
like a dog. Last night slept In a hlthy
howell" -
I'm half crazed with my own troubles.
You must come into the house; the best
I have is yours. You shall be as much my
guest as [ can make you, and-perhapS you
will help me to escape
fuIIv "You are watched and guarded and
so am l. Even IL you got away from here,
what then? You can't imagine the con-
dition OF the country.
'I won't marry him !" Alaire cried, with a
shudder IL won't! -
"He can't very well force you TO do so.
Rut remember, these are war times; the
man AZ a fend and he puts no restraint
unon his desires II he is madly bent on
having you, how can you prevent II? In
normal times he would not dare injure one
so prominent as you, but now" Father
O'MaIley lifted his hands Il only wonder
that he suggests lawful marriage. Sup
nose YOU refuse? VIII he not sacrifice
Won 10 his passions? He has done worse
things" After a moments consideration
he said: "Of course II is possible that /
misiudge him. Anyhow, II you desire me
10 do SO will refuse TO perform the cere-
mony. But-Im afraid it will just mean
ruin for both OF us"
surely he wouldn't harm you?"
,rha rather shrugged. What am /?
An obscure priest. Many OF my brothers
are buried in Mexico, However, l shall
do as you wish.'
AS the day wore on Alaire realized even
more clearly the fact that she was Lon
gorios prisoner. His men, i'm spite of their
recent debauch, kept very good watch
over her, and It was plain that they would