Crossville chronicle. [volume] (Crossville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-10-03

help you. 1Our nhuOn protest would
avail nothing. Outside of these walls
are enemies who will not let you leave
this house except under the protec-
ton of my name"
'rhen I shall never leave It," she
told him.
For the frst time Longorio spoke
roughly: II lose patience. In Gods
name have l not waited long enOughl
My strength is gone" Impulsively he
half encircled her with his thin arms,
but she seemed armOred with Ice, and
he dropped them. She could hear him
grind his teeth. II dare not lay hands
upon YOU" he chartered. "Angel of
my dreams, am faint with longing.
To love you and yet to be denied; to
feel myself afiame and yet to see you
cold; to be halted at the very doors
of Paradise! What torture J"
The fellows self-control in the
midst Of his frenzy frightened Alaire
more than did his widest avowals; 1t
was in something Of a panic that she
said:
Zone moment you tell me l am safe.
the next you threaten me. You say l
am free, and yet you coerce me. Prove
your love. Let me go"
"No! mol I shall call the priest"
Longorio turned toward the door,
but halfway across the floor he was
halted by a wOman's shrek which Is
sued from somewhere inside the house.
1t was repeated. There was an out
burst In a masculine voice, then the
patter Of footsteps approaching down
the tiled hallway. Dolores burst into
her mistress presence, her face
banched. her hair disordered. She
flung herself into Alaire's arms, cry
ing:
"Senora! Save mel Gods curse
on the rutiian. Oh"
DOLORES !" Alaire exclaimed. "What
has happened?" .......
Longorio demanded, irritably: "YeA
Why are you yelling like -this?"
"A man See! One of those dirty
peladors. Look where he tore my
dress l warned him, but he was like
tiger. Benito will kill him when he
learns"
"Calm yourself. Speak sensibly.
Tell me what happened"
"One Of those miserable soldiers
who came today-pig" Dolores was
shaking, her voice was shrill. HE fol-
lowed me about like cat, purring and
grinning and saying the most horrible
things. Just now, when went to your
room. he was waiting in the darkness.
and he seized me. My money!"
"a soldier? One of my menr Lon
gorio was incredulous. :.
Alaire turned upon him with blaz-
ing anger in her face. us this more
of your protectiOn?" she stormed. Il
give you and your men the freedom Of
my ranch, and you insult me while
they rob my women"
He ignored her accusation, inquiring
of the elder woman, "Who was the fell
low7
"How do know" Dolores sobbed.
"He is "a thick, black fellow with a
scar on his lip, like a snarl."
"Felipe!"
"Yes, Fellpel I believe they called
him that"
Longorio strobe to the end of the
living room, flung open the wooden
shutters Of window, and, leaning far
out, whistled sharply on his fingers.
"Oiga! Teniente! Ho., you fel-
lows I" he shouted.
From the darkness a voice an
swered; man, evidently on guard,
came running. |
"Call old Pancho," the general d.
rected.. "Tell him to bring me black
Felipe, the fellow with the torn lip.
Qulckw
Eyes, general" came the voice; then
the metallic rattle Of spurs and ac-
as the sentry trOtted
away.
Dolores had completely broken down
now, and Alaire was trying to comfort
her. Their guest remained by the win
dow, frowning. After time there
sounded murmur Of voices, then q
shuffllng Of feet in the hall; Alaire's
friend, the old lieutenant, appeared in
the doorway, saluting. Behind him
were several others.
"Here Is Felipe" he announced.
"Bring him in"
A sullen, frowning man in soiled uni
form was pushed forward, and Dolores
hid her face against her mistress
shoulder.
els this the fellowT Longorio In
quired. .ft@.<
Dolores nodded.
"Well, what have you to say for
yourself" The general transfixed his
trooper with stare; then, as the lat
ter seemed bereft of his voice. "Why
ala ,xo,, op%ov <1,c house ~