Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-11-13
CHAPTER xxvr-tcou,lnued)

Il Il slender finger he delicately smootheo
his black eyebrows Alaire felt wild im-
pulse TO laugh. but was glad she had sub
dued It when he contlnued Il am impetu-
Gus, but impetuousity has made me what l
am. l act. and then mold fate 60 suit my
own ends. Opportunity has delivered 10 mo
my hearts desire and will not be cheated
out OF T. Among tho men l brought with
me TO la Feria Is a priest. He Is dirty,
for caught him as no was fleeing toward
the border but he is a priest and he viii
marry us tonight"
Alaire managed to gasp. surely, you are
not In earnest"
Indeed l ami That is why insisted
that you dine with me this evening. can
not waste more time hero, for necessity
calls me away. You shall go as my wife.'
do you think would marry on tire very
day find myself a widow7''
The world will never know"
You dare 60 say thatr Her tone was
one OF disgust. OF hnality. II wonder how
I have listened 20 so much II Is hor-
rible"
You are stfl little hys,ericai. and you
exaEgerate. II had more time / could
AFFORD TO wait" lie ogled her with his
luminous gaze. 'T would let you play with
mo to your hearts content and exercise
your power until you tired and were ready
to surrender"
Alaire raised her head proudly, her
nostrils dilated, her eyes ablaze with hos
force me to tell you that hate you
L,ongrrio was incredulous rather than
offended. He drew himself up TO his full
height and smiled saying, That is Inn
possible" Then, ignoring her impauence:
Come You cannot deceive me. The
priest is waiting"
When Alaire spoke next Il was with an
expression and with tone Of such loathing
that his yellow face paled Your concet
is insufferable," she breathed.
After n brief struggle with himself, the
Mexican cried hoarsely; 81 will not be
refused You wish me to tame you, eh?
Good You have found your master Make
your choice. then. Which shall 1t be- sur
render or-compulsion2"
$50! You have been lying, rs Thought
Compulsionl Now the real Longorio
speaks"
lie flung UP his hands IA II TO ward on
her fury. "Nol Have not made myseit
clear? 1 shall embrace you only with inc
arms Of n husband, for this is not the pas
sion OF n moment. but Of lifetime, ana
have myself to consider. The wife OF Mex
icos next President must be above re-
proach; there must be no scandal no Sc
crets hidden away for enemies TO unearth'
She must stand before the people as a per-
feet woman; she must lend prestige TO ms
name. When l speak OF compulslon theh'
| l mean the right Of a husband
| AIaire uttered an exclamation OF disgust
| and turned away, but he intercepted her'
| saying: You cannot hold me at bay. IL
| is destiny. You shall be mine tonight
Think n moments We are alone IN the
heart OF n country lacking in every law nut
| mine Your friends do not know where you
| are. and, even II they knew, they could not
| helm YOU Your nations protest would aNall
| nothing Outside OF these walls are enc
| mics who will not let you leave TINS mouse
| except under the protection or my name,
'"Then. 1 shall never leave it, she told
| him. , .,,.
For the first time Longorio spoke
| roughly: 'T lose patience. In Gods name
| have l not waited long enough my
| strength is gone" lmpulsivey ne MAJ,
| enclrcled her with his arms, but she s~eeIneu ~
| armored with ice, and he dropped thein
| She could hear him grind his teeth.
| dare not lay hands upon YOU he chattereu
| "ArgeI of NV dreams | am faint with long
| ing. To love you and yet to be denied ,c
| feel myself aflame and yet to see you SOlu
| to be hated at the very ooors oh
| What torture" IL. -,
| Tbo fellows self-control In the midst oi
his frenzy frightened Alaire more tnah ulu
! his widest avowals IL was In somethihs VI
| a panic that she said; Ar.
| zone moment you tell me am safe, the
| ,ovt Won threaten me- You say am free
| and vet you coerce me. Prove your ioNe
| Let me go ,..
"Nol No! shall call the priest"
| IonqorIo turned toward the door, but
halfway across the floor he was halted pS
| a woman's shriek which issued from some
| 1ybare inside the house II was repeated
| rhere was an outburst in masculine
| voice. then the patter Of footsteps approach
| ing down the tiled hallway Dolores purs'
into her mistress's presence, her race
| blanched her hair disordered. She nuhe
| herself into Alaire's arms crying;
"senora! Save mel Gods curse on the
| ruffian Oh -,
DOLORES 90 Alaire exclaimed. What hai
| happened?" ,- I'M,
are you yelling like this?"
| "a man See One OF those dirty
| peladors Look where he tore my dress
| I warned him, but he was like tiger
| Benito will kill me when he learns
calm yourself. Speak sensibiy' Tel
me what happened"
zone of those miserable soldiers whc
| came today-pig!" Dolores was shaking
| her voice was shrill He Followed me
He has been drinking He followed ms
| about like a cat purring ana grinnlng ane
| saving the most horrible things Just now
| when went TO your room, he was waiting
in the darkness and he seized me. God
| It was dreadful"
"a soldier? one of my men7' LongoriC
was incredulous
Alaire turned upon him with a blazint
anger in her face "Is this more Of YOU
| nrotection?" she stormed. IT give yol
and your men the freedom OF my ranch
and you insult me while they assault m,
women"
He ignored her accusation. inquiring o.
the elder woman, ''who was the felow?"
aHow do I know" Dolores sobbed. HI
IA "a thick, black fellow with a scar OF
his lip. like a snarL"
'Fellpe!'
''Yes. Felipei believe they called hin
that"
Longerio strobe TO the end OF the livinI
room, flung open the wooden shutters o
| window and. leaning far out whistle'
sharply on his fingers
'"ogal Tenientel Ho, you fellows :" h
shouted.
From the darkness a voice answered;
man. evidently on guard, came running.
call old Pancho." the general directed
Tell him 10 bring me black Felipe tn
fellow with the torn lip. Quick"
Yes. general" came the voice; then IN
| n