Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-03-08

with some curiosity rs he inquired:
isn't Longorio the very man who
robbed your
Eyes"
"Mexicans are peculiar people," Law
said slowly. AT least we don't under.
stand their business methods or their
habits of mind From my experience
with them, I wouldn't put much conf
dence in this Longorio's word. l say
this, and I'm supposed to have little
Mexican blood in me-
During this brief conversation they
had entered the hotel, and she gave
her hand to Law.
81 hope we shall see each other
again." she murmured.
THAT'S more'n likely; Pm located In
your neighborhood now" he informed
her. I'm leaving for Jonesville in the
morning"
I 'By trainT'
"No'm. Tn goin' to follow the river
road If / can get an automobile"
Mindful of the Rangers courtesy to
her on their previous meeting, Aaire
said: wont you 90 with us? We in
tend to start early"
! Dave was nearly speeches. with de-
light, add when the mistress Of Las
Palmas had gone upstairs he felt in
clined to pinch himself to see II he
We're dreaming. He had pursued a
fruitless quest during the past few
days. and his resentment had grown
us he became certain that Tad Lewis
had sent him on wlld-goOse chase !;
but the sight of Alaire miraculously
restored his good spirits, and the pros
pect Of long. intimate ride In her
company changed the whole trend of
his thoughts. His disappointment at
not seeing her upon his visit to Las
Palmas had only served to enhance
his memories of their first meeting, and
time now had deepened his interest
tenfold. Yes. she was "The Lone
Star" the estrella brillante of his
4 empty sky. There could be no doubt
4 about his feelings he was more than
romantically interested, the mere sight
of her had electrified him. The dscov-
; cry distressed him. and he very prop
erly decided that the affair should end
here, since 1t could lead to nothing
: except disappointment.
At the time of this story. relations
between the United States and the es-
tablished government of Mexico were
such that hostility had sprung up
between the troops fronting each other
along the Rio Grande, and In cOnse-
quence their officers no longer crossed
the boundary, even when off duty. 1t
created a furry Of suppressed excite
ment. therefore, when Luis Longorio,
: the autocrat of the Potosista forces,
boldly crossed the bridge. traversed
the streets of Pueblo, and entered the
Hamilton hotel.
From his seat in the lobby Law
heard the general inquire for Mrs. Aus
tin. and then saw him ascend in the
direction of the parlor. He rose and
strolled restessly about the hotel. A
half-hour passed and Longorio did not
reappear: an hour dragged by, and
then Dave took occasion to 90 to his
room. A glance through the open par
lor door showed the foreigner in closest
conversation with Mrs. Austin. They
We're laughing; they were alone; oven
Dolores was nowhere to be seen. He
chewed several cigars yicionsly before
realizing that he was jealous-yes,
madly. unreasonably jealous.
So! His divinity was not as unap.
proachable as he had imagined. Doubt.
less Longorio was mad over her, which
explained the fellows willingness to
help her exact reparation from his gov
eminent. Fine doings for respect
able married woman. 1t was wrong
scandalous, detestable!
Had Dave only known the truth he
would have gained grim comfort
from it, for Alaire Austin was not en-
joying herself that evening. Her call
err stayed on Unfortunately, and she be
came FESTIVE under the flow of his con
versation. For some reason or other
Longorio was not the romantic figure
he had been; in his citizens clothe,
: he was only dandified Mexican gnl
Y liant like any number Of others. Thu
$ color was gone from the picture; thl'
e quixotic guerrilla hero, this elegnn
Ruy Bias, was nothing more than {
$ tall, ollve-skinned foreigner, whose ar
|, dor was dlstastcful. Longorio wa
o tiresOme,