Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-11-11
CHAPTER XVI
THE DOOR OF PARADISE

ALAIRE began the mockery Of playing
Ahostess with extreme distaste. and as
the meal progressed she experienced q grow.
ing uneRsiness. Longorios bearing had
changed since his arrival He was stili
extravagantiy courteous, beautifully atten-
tive; he maintained a flow OF conversation
that relieved her OF any effort, and yet he
displayed n repressed excitement that was
disturbing. In his eyes there was n gloat-
Ing look OF possession hard TO endure De-
spite her icy formality he appeared to he
holding himself within tho bounds OF pro-
priety only by an effort OF will, and she was
not surprised when. at the conclusion Of the
meal. he cast restraint aside.
She did not let him 20 far with his woo
Ing before warning him: II won't listen to
you. You are a man OF taste; you must
realize how offensive this is"
Let us not deceive each other he in
sisted We are alone. Let us be honest.
Do not ask me TO put faith In your grief.
I ind my excuse In the extraordinary ma
ture of this situation"
Nothing can excuse indelicacy" she an
swered evenly. You transgress the COM
monest rules of decency"
But he was impatient what sentiment!
You did not love your husband. You were
for years his prisoner. Through the bars
OF your prison saw and loved you. Dios |
The first sight of your face altered the
current OF my life. 1 saw heaven In your
eyes, and I have dreamed OF nothing else
ever since. Well, Providence opened the
doors and set you free: God gave heed to
my prayers and delivered you to me. Now
you pretend TO grieve at your deliverance
you ask me TO respect the memory OF your
tailer Decency? Delicacy7 What are
they except artifcialities, which vanish in
times OF stress7 Alexander the Great,
Caesar, Napoleon, Porfirio Diaz-they were
strong. purposeful men; they lived as I
live. Sonora, you daily with love-"
Alatre9 a.
she replied: You cause me to fbrget that
you are my guest. Arc you the man con-
sidered you or the man you are reported
to be?"
''Eh7'
Are you the gentleman, the friend, You
pretended to be, or-the vandal whom no
woman can trust7 You treat me as IL Won
were my jailer. What do you mean7 What
kind OF man are you to take advantage
OF my bereavement"
After moments consideration Longorio
began haltingly: 'T don't know what kind
of man I am. for you have changed me 40.
There was time-I-I have done things
/ have scorned all restraint, all laws except
those OF my DESIRES and SO, perhaps I am
vandal. Make sure OF this. however,
snail not injure you. Christ is no more
sacred TO me than you, my hearts treasure
You accuse me Of indelicacy because I lack
the strength to smother my admiration.
adore you: my being dissoIves, nv veins
are anre with longing for you: am mad
with the knowledge that you are mine.
Madf Caramba I am insane; my mind
totters; grope my way like a man blinded
by dazzling light; I suffer agonies But
see! I refuse to touch you. am a giant
In my restraint The strength OF heroes is
mine, and I strangie my impulses as they
are born. although the effort kills me-"
Sonora. await the moment of your
voluntary surrender. wait for you" He
extended his arms and Alare saw that
his olive features were distorted with emo
tion; that his hands, his whole thin high
strung body were shaking uncontrollabiy.
She could summon no coherent words.
You believed was a hawk and would
seize you, eh?" he queried. It's that why
you continue to shrink7 Well. let me tell
you something. II my tongue will frame
the thoughts In my mind. My passion is
so deep and - sacred that would not be
content with less than all of you Your
lips would not satisfy mine unless they
were hot with love. your kisses wet with
desire. must have you all, and 30 I
wait. trembling. I say this 30 badly that
doubt II you understand. Listen, then:
To possess you by force would be-weIl,
II I sacked a cathedral of its golden
images and expected to gain heaven by
clutching the Madonna in my arms.