Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-07-06
CONTINUED from last week.

"You heard me calling" she told him
at last. "Oh, was-sO frightenedr r
She chung closer to him. After time
she discovered that she was mechanic
ally nodding and shaking her head at
the questions he was putting to her,
but had only the vaguest idea what
they were. By and by she began to
tell him about Longorio, speaking in a
sort of hypnotic rnurmur, as if her
words issued at his mental suggestion.
And all the time she Struggled against
his breast.
Dearest" Dave held her away in
gentle hands. II was afraid you'd go
to pieces like this, but had to break
through the best way I could. learned
you were here and something about
what was going on from the people at
the next ranch. But expected to find
him here, too"
GLOW did you manage to get here?"
81 hardly know. just wouldn't let
'em stop me. This lieutenant wouldn't
let me in until told him was from
Monterey with important news. don't
remember all l did tell him. I tried to
get here last night, but 1 had trouble.
They caught me, and had to buy my
way through. I've bribed and bullied
and lied clear from Romero. reckon
they couldn't imagine I'd risk being
here if wasn't friend"
1t was more Dawes tone than his
words that reused Alaire to an appre-
citation of what he said.
"Are you alone?" she asked, in vague
dismay. "Then what are we going
to do?"
81 don't know yet. My plans ended
here"
"Dave! You rode in just to find me!
Just to be with new
eyes. And to get him." Alaire saw
his face twitch, and realized that it
was very haggard, very old and tired.
'They lifted my guns-a bunch of fell
lows at the Rio Negro crossing. Some
OF them were drunk and wouldn't be-
lieve was an amigo. So I finally had
to ride for it,
"Can't you take me away? she
asked, family. "What will you do
when-he cOmes?"
81 reckon I'll manage him somehow"
His grip upon her frightened painfully,
and she could feel him tremble. 81
was afraid / wouldn't find you. +
o God, Alaire!" He buried his face
in her hair.
81 had at terrible scene with him last
night. He insists upon marrying me.
IL was hoping you'd come"
"How could l, when nobody knew
where you wereT'
Didn't you know? wrote you" He
shook his head. "Then how did you
learnt"
"From Jose. I caught him within an
hour Of tie murder, and made him tell
me everything"
Alaire's eyes dilated; she held her
self away, saying, breathlessly: Muir
deri Is that what it was? He-Lon-
gorio-told me something quite differ
ent'
Naturally. 1t was he who hired Josi
to do the shooting"
'Oh-h:" Ainire hid her face in her
hands. She looked up again quiz kly
however, and her cheeks were White
'Then he won't spare you, Dave" She
chOked for an instant. eve must get
away before he comes. There must be
some way of escape. Think"
'Tm pretty tired to think. I'm pretty
near played out" he confessed.
They're watching me, but they'd
let you CO."
snow that I'm here I'm going to stay
until"
She interrupted, crying his name
loudly, "Davew
"Yes. What is it?'
"Wait! Let me think" She closed
her eyes; her broWs drew together as
If in the labor of concentration. When
she lifted her lids her eyes were alight,
her voice was eager. II know how.
see it. He won't dare But you must
do what tell YOU"
"Of course"
=. "No questions. Understands
When he nodded impatiently she ran
W llC uOOI anu, lll1SluS 1t OpCL, SoiiS0
down the hall:
"Father! Father O'Malley! Quick !"
Then she summoned Dolores.
The priest answered; he hurried
from his room and with a daZed lack
of comprehension, acknowledged his
swift introduction to Dave. Alaire was
keenly alive and vibrant with purpose
now. Dolores, too, came running, and
while the men were exchanging greet
ingS her mistress murmured something
in her ear, then FASTENED her depar-
ture with quick push. Turning upon
the others, Alaire explained:
''Tve sent for some of the women,
and they'll be here in q minute. Fa-
Their, this man has come for me. He
loves me. viii you marry us before
Longorio arrives?"
"Alaire!' 70 Dave exclaimed.
She stilled him with a gesture.
"Quick! VIII your
Father O'Malley was bewildered. 81
DON'T ,1ndorcfand bo ovnoCf,,lofod