Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1917-09-22

sort of hypnotic mdrmur. as if her
words issued at his mental suggestion.
And all the time she snuggIed 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 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"
How did you manage to get here?"
Il hardly know. l just wouldn't let
em stop me. This lieutenant wouldn't
let me in until | told him | was from
Monterey with important news l don't
remember all / did tell him. l tried to
get here last night, but l 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 me?"
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 finally bad
to ride for it."
Cant you take ms away?" she
asked, family. What will you do
when-he comesY
II reckon I'll manage him somehow"
His grip upon her frightened painfully,
and she could feel him tremble. 81
was afraid 1 wouldn't find you. l.
o God, Alaire!" He buried his face
In her hair.
81 had at terrible scene with him last
night He insists upon marrying me.
II was hoping you'd come"
"How could l, when nobody knew
where you were?"
Didn't you know? wrote you" He
shook his head. ''Then how did you
learn?"
"From Jose. 1 caught him within an
hour of the murder, and made him tell
me everything"
Alaire's eyes dilated; she held her
self away, saying, breathlessly: Muir
der! Is that what it was? He-Lon-
gorio-told me something quite differ
| ent."
Naturally 1t was he who hired Jose
to do the shooting"
"Oh-h" Alaire hid her face in her
hands She looked up again quickly,
''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 60"
snow that I'm here I'm going to stay
until"
She interrupted, crying his name
loudly, "Dave!" aess+a,.-
Eyes 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. Il know how. l
see IT, He won't dare But you must
do what 1 tell you"
"Of course"
mo questions. Understand"
When he nodded impatiently she ran
to the door and, flinging it open, called
down the hall:
Father! Father OMalley! Quick!"
Then she summoned Dolores.
The priest answered.; he hurried
from his room and, with 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:
| "Pve sent for some Of the women,
and they'll be here in a minute. Fa-
| Their, this man has come for me. he
loves me. VIII you marry us before
| LongOrio arrives"
| "Alairer' Dave exclaimed.
| She stilled him with a gesture.
Quick Will yOu?"
Father OMalley was bewildered. II
don't understand" he expOstulated.
ITO RE CONTINIIEDA