The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1917-09-27

succeed him? Who will Issue from
the coming struggle as the dominant
figure of Mexico? Who but that mill
tary genius who checks the Yankee
hordes and saves the fatherland? /
am he. Fate points the path of glory
and i am her man of destiny. You
see, then, what ! bring you-power,
position, riches. Riches? Caramba
Walt until my hands are in the treas
ury. / will load you with gold and
jewels, and j will make you the rich
est woman in the world. Sonora, /
offer you dominion. I offer you the
presidents palace and Chapultepec.
And with all that, / offer you such
passionate love as no woman Of history
ever possessed"
He paused, spent by the force of his
w intensity It was plain that he ex-
pected an Immediate surrender.
Alaire's lips parted in the faintest
Of hooking smiles. "You have great
confidence in yourself" she said.
"Yes. I know myself as no Ii
knows me-"
"Why do you think / care for your
Longorio's eyes opened. His ex-
preston plainly showed that he could
not imagine any woman In her senses
failing to adore him.
Don't you take much for granted?'
Alaire insisted.
The Mexican shook his head. Then
his face lightened. "Ah! Now l see.
Your mOdesty forbids you to acknowl-
edge your love-is that it? Well, I know
that you admire me, for | can see it.
All admire me, and they all
end by loving me-" His chest arched
imperceptibly, with a slender finger
he d~elicately smoothed his black eye
brows. Alaire felt a wild impulse to
1t when he continued. 81 am impetuous,
but i~mpetuosity has made me what /
am. / act, and then mold fate to suit
my w ends. Opportunity has de-
livered to me my hearts desire, and l
viii not be cheated out Of it. Among
Feria is a priest. He is dirty, for l
caught him as he was fleeing toward
the border; but he is a priest, and he
will marry US tonight"
Alaire managed to gasp, Surely you
are not In earnest"
"Indeed I am! That is why I insist
ed that you dine with nut this evening.
/ cannot waste more time here, for
necessity calls me away. You shall go
as my wife,"
do you think I would remarry on
the very day l find myself a widow?"
"The world will never know"
"You dare to say that! !" Her tone
was one of disgust, of finality. II won
der how / have listened to so much. 1t
is horrible"
"You are still a little historical, and
you .~exaggerate. If I had more time,
1 could afford to wait" He ogled her
with his luminous gaze. II would let
you play with me to your hearts con-
tent and exercise your power until you
tired and were ready to surrender"
Alaire raised her head proudly, her
n~ostrils dilated, her eyes ablaze with
hostility. '.This is very humiliating,
but you force me TO tell you that / hate
you."
Longorio was i~ncredulous rather
than offended. He drew himself up to
his full height and smiled, saying:
'sThat is impossible" Then, ignoring
her impatience: "Come! You cannot
deceive me. The priest is waiting"
When Alaire spoke next, 1t was with
IN expression and with a tone of such
loathing that his yellow face paled.
Your conceit Is insufferable,' she
breathed.
After a brief struggle with himself.
the Mexican cried, hoarsely: ~ will
not be refused. You wish me TO tame
you. ehf Goodi You have found your
master. Make your choice, then.
Which shall it be, surrender or-com-
pulsion?"
$50! You have been lying, as l
thought. Compulsion! Now the real
Longorio speaks"
He flung up his hands as II to ward
Off her fury. "No! Have I not made
myself clear? / shall embrace you
only with the arms Ola husband, for
this is not the passion of a moment,
but of a lifetime, and / have myself to
consider. The wife of Mexico's next
president must be above reproach
there must be no scandal. no secrets
hidden away for enemies to unearth.
She must stand before the people as
a perfect woman; she must lend pres
tige to his name. When I speak Of
compulsion, then, I mean the right of
q husband"
Alaire uttered an exclamation OF dis
gust and turned away, but he inter
cepted her, saying: "You cannot hold
me at bay. 1t Is destiny. You shall be
mine tonight. Think a moment! We
are alone In the heart Of a country
lacking in every law but mine. Your
friends do not know where you are.
and, wen II they knew. they could no
help you. Your nations protest would
avail nothing. Outside of these walls
are enemies who win not let you leave
this house except under the protec-
ton Of my name"
saThpn I shall never loovo a. ~ che