The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1917-08-30

N"' eN"' WIZ ChSckS the Yankee
hordes and saves the fatherland? |
am he. Fate points the path Of glory
and l. am her man of destiny. You
see, then, what bring you-power,
position, riches. Riches? Carumba /!
Wait until my hands are in the treas
ury. l will load you with gold and
jewels. and will make you the rich
est woman in the world. Sonora, I
offer you dominion. I offer you the
presidents palace and Chapultcpec
And with all that, I offer you such
passionate love as no woman of history
ever possessed"
He paused, spent by the force of his
own intensity; 1t was plain that he ey
pected an immediate surrender.
Alaire's lips parted in the faintest
or mocklng smiles. "You have great
confidence in yourself" she said
Yes. J. know myself as no one
knows me-"
why do you think I care for you?"
Longorio's eyes opened. His cx-
preston plainly showed that he could
not imagine any woman in her senses
failing to adore him.
Don't you take much for grantcd?"
Aaire insisted.
The Mexican shook his head Then
his face lightened. "Ah! Now see.
Your modesty forbids you to acknowl-
edge your love-is that it? Well, know
that you admire me, for I ran see it.
All women admire me, and they all
end oy loving me-" FIis chest arched
lmperceptibly; with slender finger
he delicately smoothed his black eye
brows. Alaire felt wild impulse to
laugh, but was glad she had suhdued
1t when he continued. II am impetuOus,
but impetuosity has made me ,:hat
am. l act, and then mold fate to sysss
my own ends. Opportunity has de-
llvered to me my hearts desire, and I
VIII not be cheated out of it. Among
the men l brought with me to La
Feria is priest. He is dirty, for I
caught him as he was fleeing toward
the border; but he is priest, and he
will marry us tonight"
Alaire managed to gasp "Surely you
are not In earnest"
Indeed am! That Is why insist
ed that YOU dine with me this evening.
cannot waste more time here, for
necessity calls me away. You shall 20
| rs my wife"
do you think would remarry on
the very day find myself widow?"
"The world will mover know"
you dare to say that" Her tone
was one Of disgust, of flnality. II won
der how I have listened to so much. It
Is horrible"
y
you exaggerate. If had more time,
l could afford to wait" He ogled her
with his luminous gaze. 'I would let
YOU play with me to your hearts con
tent and exercise your power until you
tired and were ready to surrender"
Alatre raised her head proudly, her
hostrils dilated, her eyes ablaze with
hostility "This Is very humiliating,
but you force me to tell you that hate
You"
Longorio was incredulous rather
than offended. He drew himself up to
MS full height and smiled, saying:
1hat Is impossible" Then, ignoring
ner lmpatience: Come! You cannot
deceive me. The priest is waiting"
when Alaire spoke next, it was with
ali expression and with tone Of such
loathing that his yellow face paled
Your conceit is insufferable," she
brcathed.
After brief struggle with himself,
the Mexican cried, hoarsely: IT will
not be refused. You wish me to tame
you, eh? Good You have found your
master. Make your choice, then.
which shall 1t be, surrender or-com-
pulsion?"
80! You have been lying, as l
thought Compulsion Now the real
Longorio speaks"
lie flung up his hands as If to ward
OF her fury. "No! Have not made
myself clear? shall embrace you
only with the arms Of husband, for
this is not the passion of q moment,
nut Of 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
perfect woman; she must lend pres.
tlge to his name. When speak Of
c"mpulslon, then, mean the right OF
husband"
Alnire uttered an exclamation of dis
gust and turned away, but he inter
cepted her, saying: "You cannot hold
me Mt bay. It Is destiny. You shall be
mine tonight. Think q moment! We
are alone In the heart of country
lacking In every law but mine. YOul
friends do not know where you are
. and, even If they knew, they could no
help you. Your nations protest would
avail nothing. Outside of these wall.