Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1917-09-22
e a dog. Last night | slept In a

me like a dog. Last night | slept In
filthy howell
"Ohl I'm sorry" Alaire exclaimed.
But I'm half crazed with my own
troubles. You must come into the
house; the best I have is yours. You
shall be as much my guest as l can
make you and-perhaps you will help
me to escape"
"Escape?" The little man smiled
mOurnfully. "YOu are watched and
guarded, and so am l. Even if you
got away from here, what then? You
can't imagine the condition of the
country"
81 won't marry him. Alaire cried,
with a shudder, II wOn't''
"He can't very well force you to do
So But remember, these are war
times the man IS a fiend, and he puts
no restraint upon his desires. If he
is madly bent on having you, how can
you prevent it? In normal times he
would not dare injure one so prOmi-
nent as you, but now Father
O'Malley lifted up his hands. 81 only
wonder that he suggests a lawful mar
riage. Suppose you refuse? Will he
not sacrifice you to his passions? He
has done worse things" After a mo-
ment's consideration he said: "Of
course it is possible that 1 misjudge
him. Anyhow, if you desire me to do
so, I will refuse to perform the cere-
mony. But-I'm afraid it will just
mean ruin for both of u.s..
Surely he wouldn't harm your"
The father shrugged. "What am l?
An obscure priest. Many of my broth
ers are buried in Mexico. However,
l shall do as you WISH"
AS the day wore on Alaire realized
even more clearly the fact that she
was Longorio's prisoner. His men, in
spite of their recent debauch, kept very
good watch over her, and it was plain
that they would obey his orders, no
matter how extreme. 1t occurred to
her finally that he was staying away
purposely, in order to give her a fuller
appreciation of her positionx-so that
she might beat her wings against the
cage until exhausted.
Afternoon came, then evening, and
still LOngorio did not return. Father
O'Malley could give scant comfort ;
Dolores was positive trial.
Half distracted, A1aire roamed
through the house. awaiting her cap
tors coming, steesing herself for their
final battle. But the delay was trying
she longed for the crisis to come, that
this terrible suspense might be ended
At such an hour her thoughts natu-
rally turned to Dave Law, and she
found herself yearning for him with
yearning utterly new. His love had
supported her through those miserable
days at Las PalmaS, but now it was
torture; she called his name wildly, pas
sionately. He knew her whereabouts
and her peril-why did he not come?
Then, more calmly, she asked herself
what he, or what anyone, could do
for her. How could she look for sue
cor when two nations were at war?
Night had come before she finally
gave up and acknowledged the hope
lessness of her situation. She had
fought bravely, but with darkness her
fears grew blacker. She was on the
verge of her first breakdown, when,
In the early dusk outside, she heard
voices and the stamping of horses
hoofs The sounds were muffled by
the heavy wooden shutters she had
taken pains to close and bar, but they
told her Longorio had returned. Since
1T was futile to deny him entrance, she
waited where she was. Old Pancho's
voice sounded outside; then there
came knock upon the door Of the
room in which she stood.
Come in," she said, tensely.
The lieutenant thrust his head in,
and, removing his hat announced,
''There is someone here to see Cen
eral Longorio on important business.
He says you will do"
ct"
Eyes. He says he Is one Of us"
Pancho was pushed aside, the door
was flung back, and a man strobe
swiftly into the lamplight. He paused,
blinking as If momentarily blinded. and
Alaire clutched at the nearest chair
for support. A roaring began in her
ears; she felt herself sway forward as
If the strength had left her knees. She
heard Dawes voice family; he was say
ing:
take care of my horse. Feed and
water her we'll, Understand? When
General LongoriO comes tell him am
waiting here"
AS if In a dream, Alaire saw the
Mexican go out, closing the door be-
hind him. Then she saw Dave come
toward her, heard him speak her name,
| felt his arms around her.
Alaire did not swoon, but she never
could remember very distinctly those
first few moments. Scarcely knowing
what she did, she found herself cling
ing to her lover, laughing, weeping.
feeling him over with shaking hands
that would not be convinced Of his
reality. She was aware of his kisses
upon her lips, her eyes, her hair; he
was saying something which she could
not understand because of that roaring
in her ears.