Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-10-12
CHAPTER v-tcon,lnued)

TN THE course OF time the military train
Il came creaking along on the main track
ana stopped. 60 the great interest OF the
southbound travellers. IL was made up OF
many stock cars crowded with cavalry
horses Each animal bore Its equipment OF
saddle ana bride, and penned I'm with them
were the women and tho children. The SOL
diere themselves were clustered thicixiy upon
the car roofs Far down at the rear OF the
train was a rlckety passenger coach. and
toward this Jose Sanchez made his way.
There began a noisy interchange OF greet
ings between the occupants OF the two
trains, and meanwhile the hot sun slared
balefully upon the huddled figures on the
car tops. A half-hour passed. then occurred
commotion at the forward end OF Alaire's
coach.
group OF officers climbed aboard. and
among them was one who could be none
other than Luis Longorio. As he came
down the passageway Alaire identified him
without the aid OF his insignia. for he stood
head and shoulders above his companions
and bore himself vtfh an air OF authority
He was unusually tall. at least six feet
three and very slim, very 1.-the: he was
alert, keen; he was like the blade Of a
rapier. The leanness OF his legs was ac-
oentuated by his stiff. starched riding
breeohes and closehtting pigsiin puttees.
while his face, apart from all else, would
have challenged prompt attention.
Longorio was young man: his cheeks
were girlishly smooth and OF a clear, pale,
olive tint. which sun and weather appar-
emily were powerless to darken; his eyes
were large bold. and brilliant; his nostrils
thin and sensitive, like those OF a blooded
horse. He seemed almost immature until
he spoke. then one realized With a curious
shock that he was man indeed. and a
man. moreover, with all the ardor and
passion OF woman Such was Aialre's
first hasty impression OF Luis Longorio. the
Tarleton OF Potosis army.
Disdain, hAuteur. impatience. were
stamped upon the generals countenance as
he pushed briskly through the crowd. turn.
ing his head from side TO side in search Of
the woman who had summoned him.
Not until she rose did ne discover Alaire ;
then he halted; his eyes fxed themselves
upon her with a stare of startled amaze
ment.
Alaire felt herself color family, for the
man seemed to be scanning her from head
to foot. taking in every detail OF her face
and FORM and as he did 50 his expression
remained unaltered.
For what seemed n full minute LonRorio
stood rooted then the stifr-viEored cap was
swept from his head: he bowed with the
grace Of a courtier until Alaire saw the part
In his oily black hair.
"senorai A thousand apologies for my
delay" he said. "Carambal I did not
dream-f did not understand your mes.
sage" He continued TO regard her with
that same queer intensity.
You are General Longorio" Alaire was
surprised to note that her voice quavered
uncertainty. and annoyed to feel her face
still flushing.
"Your obedlent servant"
With a gesture Mrs. Austin directed
Dolores to vacate her seat. and invited the
General 10 take IT, But Longorio checked
the maids movement then with a brusque
command he routed out the occupants of
the seat ahead. and, reversing the back,
tock a position facing Alaire. Another
oroer. and the men who had accompanied
him withdrew up the aisle. His luminous
eyes returned once more 20 the woman,
and there was no mistalSinR his admiration.
He seemed enchanted py her pale beauty,
her rich red hair held him fascinated, and
with Latin boldness he made his feelings
crassly manifest.