Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-10-28
CHAPTER xvu-tcon,inusd,
"VoU ought to have children" the gi
Il


"VoU ought to have children" the girl
i declared calmly.
II have, Yesi Imaginary klddies-and
they are perfect dears, too
Are they ever naughty?'
"oh, indeed they are And have TO
punish them. Then / feel terribly. But
they're much nicer than flesh -and-blood chill
dren, for they had no bad traits whatever,
and they're so amazingly Intelligent"
Such exchanges OF confidence drew the
women into fairly close relations by the
time they had arrived at Las Palmas. but
the thought Of what had brought them
together had sobering effect. and during
their hasty supper they discussed the sit
uation in all its serious phases.
In Offering TO lend hand in this DIM
Guilty Alaire had acted largely upon inn
pulse. and, now that she took time to think
over the AFFAIR more coolly, she asked her-
self what possible business OF hers II could
be. How did this effort to secure Don
Rlcardo's body concern herr And how
could she hope or expect to be OF help 70
the men engaged In the hazardous attemptY
With Paloma, OF course. II was different
the girl was anxious on her fathers account
and probably concerned more deeply than
was Alaire for the safety OF Dave Law.
Probably she and Dave had an under
standing--it would. be natural Well. Pa
Iona was a nice girl and she would make a
splendid wife for any man.
For her part, Paloma was troubled by
no uncertainty OF purpose; II did not seem
TO her at all absurd TO go to her fathers
assistance, and she was so eager TO be up
and away that the prospect of along eve
nng's wait made her restless.
AS usual Ed Austin had not taken the
trouble TO inform his wife OF his where
abouts Alaire was relieved 20 find that he
was out. and she decided that he had
probably stayed at Tad Lewls's for supper.
The women were seated on the porch
after their meal when up the driveway
rode two horsemen. A moment later a tall
figure mounted the steps and came forward
with outstretched hand, crying, in Spanish
Sonora surprise you. Well. l told
you some day ] should give myself this
great pleasure. am here 70
General Longorio But--what a sur
prise 70 Alaire's amazement was naive ; her
face was that of a startled schoolgirl. The
Mexican warmly kissed her fingers, then
turned to meet Paloma Jones. As he
bowed the women exchanged glances over
his head. Miss Jones looked frankly fright.
ened, and her expression plainly asked the
meaning of Longorio's presence To herself
she was wondering II IL could have any
thing to do with that expedition 10 the
Romero cemetery. She tried TO compose
herself. but her apprehension flooded her.
Alaire. meanwhile, her composure recov
cred, was standing slim and motionless be
side her chair, inquiring smoothly, What
brings you into Texas Mt such n time my
dear general7 This is quite extraordinary.
Need you ask me2" cried the man. %
would ride through a thousand perils. sen
ora. God in his graclousness placed thai
miserable village Romero close TO the gatei
Of heaven. Why should / not presume (,
look through them briehy7 I came two
days ago and every hour since then
have turned my eyes In the direction o.
Las Palmas. At last I could wait ns
A NJ ha
of these words robbed the speech OF III
audacity and tinged IL with the licensed
extravagance OF Latin nattery Neverthe
less, Paloma gasped and Alaire stirred un
comfortably. The semldarkness of tn,
veranda was an Invitation 10 even NOR,
daring compliments, and, therefore, as sh
murmured polite word of welcome, Alalr
stepped through the French window az he
back and into the brightly lighted livInI
room. Paloma Jones followed as II In
trance
Longorio's bright eyes took a swift IN
ventory OF his surroundings; then he sighe,
luxuriousiy
How fnew said he How beautiful
A nest for a bird OF paradise ("
Don't you consider this rather a ma
adventure?' Alaire insisted. Suppose
should become known that you crossed tn
river?"
Longorio snapped his fingers. II answe
to no one / am supreme. But your inter
est warns my heart; II thrills me 10 thin
you care for my safety. Thus am l repai
| for my days OF misery"
''You surely did not''-Paioma swallowe
hard-"come alone7"
mo. / have a duty 10 my country.
i said. Luis, you are a brave man, and fea
Is stranger 70 you, but. nevertheless. yo
must have regard for the Fatherland' 5
took measures 10 protect myself In cas-
/ OF eventualities"
How"
by bringing with me some OF my troor
ers. on. they are peaceable fellows" I" /,
| declared. quickly; "and they are douhtlss
enjoying themselves with our friend an
| sympathizer Morales"
| "Where7' asked Alaire
/ Il left them at your pumping nIan,
| sonora" Paloma Jones SAT down hea.lI
In the nearest chair. "But you need hav
no uneasiness They ars quiet ana orderly
| they will molest nothing: no one youI
| believe them to be soldiers 1 take llbe,
ties with the laws and the customs OF Won
| country dear lady. but--you would nd
| care for a man who allowed such cor
siderations 70 stand In his way, chr
| Aiaire answered, sharply; 1T was
very reckless thing to do, and--you mu,
'Yes. yesl" Paloma eagerly agreed
| You must go back al once"
| But Iongorio heard no voice sxce.
| Alaire's. In fact. since entering the liyln
| room he had scarcely taken his eyes fro,
her. Now he drew HIS evenly archie
brows together IN a plain(ise froun. a.,
ing. You are inhosDifabIe ~ Then M
expression liEhtened "or ia H." he asked
"Is IL that you are indeed approhsnaI>
for mI/'