Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-11-15
CHAPTER xxvuI-(Continued)

"NTow Law declared, firmly "You
IN wouldn't ask It II you were in your
senses. Get me gun and I'll shoot my
way out. Wen go until they stop us. But
don't ask me to leave you"
She searched his face eagerly plteously'
then with quivering sigh relaxed her ten
sion. Then we've only made matters
worse. You've spoiled our only chance
Father O'Maney, who had been lost In
thought, spoke up again: Perhaps you win
let me try my wits But first do unuer-
stand that it was he who effected the death
of-Mr Austin?"
Dave recounted as coherently as he could
the circumstances of Eds death and told
how he had learned, through Jose, OF Lon
Eorio's Intentions As the priest listened
spot of color grew in his cheeks his eyes
glowed with Indignation. He was ABOUT 10
make known what was in his mind when
Alaire raised her hand and in strained
whisper exclaimed:
"Sh-h Listen!"
The heavy door of the hacienda creaked'
a quick tread sounded on the tiles, the uoor
to the living room was flung open ana Lon
gorio entered. He was hot and dusty from
his ride. but with a lovers impetuoslty ne
had made straight for this lighted room.
For the briefest instant he balanced MN
self just inside the portal, ana the sHlHe
remained fixed upon his lips. Then ms eyes
became ringed with white and he mace
| swift catlike movement of retreat Plalnly
| this was the supremest surprise of his hte-
| time, and he seemed to doubt his senses
| But he recovered quickly. Thrustins MS
| head forward, he demanded:
| What is this? You-and your He
| stared from Dave to the priest, then PACK
! again.
| They ali spoke at once, but he heard only
| Alaires words:
"He came to find me-"
| Pancho appeared in the doorway behind
| Longorio, saying. 81 heard you ride up, Sir
| so | ran to tell you about this fellow.
| But tho general cut him short. "Call
| your men, quick" he cried In voice that
! sent the soldier leaping back into the night
Alaire was clinging to Dave merely
clutching him the tighter when he tried TO
unclasp her hold. Her movement into the
shelter of his rivals arms infuriated Lon
| gorio, who uttered an exclamation ana rum
bled uncertainty with his bolster But ms
| fingers were clumsy. He could not take ms
| eyes from the pair, and he seemed upon the
| point of rushing forward to tear them apart
| Don't touch her! Don't" he began,
| curslng in a high-pitched voice. GOD!
What a reckoning" !" Then he stamped ms
feet. he wrung his hands. he called shrllly
| at the top of his voice: Lieutenant! Ho'
| Pancho! You fellows! Quickly" Under the
| stress of his excitement the feminine side
| of his character betrayed itself.
Alaire felt her newly made husband
gather himself for a spring; he was mutt
tering TO her to release him; he was trying
to push her aside, but she held fast with
the strength of desperation.
you can't harm u.s." she declared fling
ing her words dehantly at the Mexican.
You dare not. You are too late. Father
O'Maney has just married us"
Longorio uttered a peculiar. wordless cry
of dismay; his mouth fell open; his arms
dropped; he went limp all over. paralyzed
momentarily by surprise and horror; his
eyes protruded; he swayed as II his sight
had blurred.
''I said I'd never marry you" she rushed
on, vibrantly. "This is the man l love
the only man. Yes. and I've learned the
truth about you. / know who killed Mr.
Austin"
then slowly unconsciously. as II the move
ment were the result Of half-forgotter
training, he crossed himself.
but now from the hall at his back came
the pounding of bootheels and half dozen
nanting troopers tumbed through the door
He waved them back and out into the hal
again.
make himself heard. stepped in front of th'
general and said solemnly: Take carr
these people, and you CAM undo what
have done. We are Americ5 citizens. The
laws of civilization proteC as"
The Mexican fought foI his voice. theI
| stammered: You are my priest; brought
YOU here. / offered to marry her. Now
you force me to damn my soul" Turning
his eyes wildly upon Alaire, he shouted
'Too late, eh2 You say l am too latel !
seems that 1 am barely in time"
Dave added his words to the others
"You are ten TO one. but you can't hav,
her" he cried, dehantly Jose Sanche
confessed to the murder Of Mr.. Austin anC
told how you had got Mrs. Austin 10 com
mere. The whole thing is known In Wash
ington and Mexico City by this time Tn
newspapers have 1t; everybody knows yol
are keeping her as your prisoner, and tina