The Huttig news., 1917-04-14

'T would ride through thousand per Ills, sonora. God in his graciousness placed that miserable village, Romero, close to the gates of heaven. Why should I not presume to look through them briefly? came two days ago, and every hour since then I have turned my eyes in the direction of Lasr Pal mas. At last could wait no longer"
 Paloma gasped and Alaire stepped through the French window at her back and into the brightly lighted living room. Paloma Jones followed as if in trance.
 Longorio's bright eyes took swift inventory of his surroundings; then he sighed luxuriously.
 How fine!" said he. 'How beanti- ful! A nest for a bird of paradise, !" mad adventure?" Alaire insisted Suppose 1t should become knowntha you crossed the river?"
 Longorio snapped his fingers .I an. swer to no one; I am supreme. But your interest warns my heart; it
 
 safety. Thus am repaid for my days of misery"
 You surely did not"-Paloma swal lowed hard-"come alone?"
 "No. took measures to protect my self In case of eventualities."
 How"
 By bringing with me some of my troopers. Oh, they are peaceable fei lowsW he declared. quickly land they are doubtless enjoying themselves with our friend and sympathizer, Mo. rales." .5
 "Where?" asked Alaire.
 "I left them at your pumping plant, senora." Paloma Jones sat down heav. fly in the nearest chair. But you need have no uneasiness."
 Alaire answered sharply, 'It was very reckless thing to do, and you must not remain here.'
 Longorio drew his evenly arched brows together in a plaintive frown saying, You are inhospitable !" Then his expression frightened. "Or IS It. he asked-"is it that you are indeed apprehensiye for me?"
 Alaire tried to speak quietly. "I should never forgive myself If you came to harm here at my ranch"
 Longorio sighed. And l hoped for warmer welcome-especially since 1 have done you another favor. You saw that hombre who camefwith mel"
 "Yes."
 Well, you would never guess 1t is your Jose Sanchez. He was distracted at the news of his cousins murder, and came to me"
 "His cousin was not murdered"
 Exactly! l told him so when I learned the facts. 1 said 10 him, Jose, mg-hoy,.it is better to do nothing than 10 act wrongly. Go back to your beau tiful employer, he loyal to her, and think no more about this unhappy af- fair It required some argument, I assure you, but-he is here. He comes to ask your forgiveness and to resume his position of trust" "I am glad to have him back if he feels that way. I have nothing what ever to forgive him."
 Then he will be happy, and have served you. That is the end of the matter" With graceful gesture Lon gorio dismissed the subject. Tt is to be my pleasure" he next inquired. ito meet Senor Austin, your husband?"
 "I am afraid not"
 "TOo bad. l had hoped to know him and convince him that we fede- rales are not such bad people as he seems to think. We ought to be friends, he and I.''
 Under this talk Paloma stirred un- easily, and at the first opportunity burst out: "It's far from safe for you to remain here. General Longorio. This peighborbood is terribly excited over the death of Ricardo Guzlnan, and If anyone learned-'
 "So! Then Guzman is desd7" Lon gorio inquired, with interest.
 Isn't he?" blurted Paloma.
 "NOt so far as l can learn. Only today I made official report that noth- ing whatever could be discovered about him. Certainly he Is nowhere in RO- mero and 1t is my personal belief that the poor fellow WAS either drowned in the river or made way with for his money. Probably the truth will never be known"
 Longorio had come to spend the evening, and his keen pleasure in Alaire Austins company made him so indifferent to his personal safety that nothing short of rude dismissal would have served to terminate his visit. Neither Alaire nor her eonpan- ion, however. had the least idea how keenly he resented the presence of Pa loma Jones.
 It was il remarkable wooing; on the one hand this half-savage man. gnawed by jealousy, needless of tue illicit na- ture of his passion. yet held within the bounds of decorum by some fag-end of responsibility; and on the other hand, a woman, bored, resentful and tortured at the moment by fear about what was happening at the river bank.
 If was lata when AuSfip arriyad