Crossville chronicle. [volume] (Crossville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-09-12

made matters worse. You've spoiled
our only chance"
Father O'Malley. who had been lost
in thought, spoke up again: perhaps
you will let me try my wits. But first,
do l understand that 1t was he who eff
fected the death of-Mr. Austin?"
Dave recounted as coherently as he
could the circumstances of Eds death,
and told how he had learned, through
Jose, of LOngorio's intentions. AS the
priest listened a spot of color grew in
his cheeks, his eyes glOwed with indig-
nation. He was about to make known
what was in his mind when Alaire
raised her hand and in a strained
whisper exclaimed:
"'Sh-h! Listen"
The heavy door of the hacienda
creaked, a quick tread sounded on the
tiles, the door to the living room was
flung open, and Longorio entered. He
was hot and dusty from his ride, but
with a lovers impetuosity he had made
straight for this lighted room.
For the briefest instant he balanced
himself just inside the portal, and the
smile remained fixed upon his lips.
Then his eyes became ringed with
white and he made swift, catlike
movement of retreat. Plainly this was
the supremest surprise of his lifetime,
and he seemed to doubt his senses But
he recovered quickly. Thrusting his
hood forward no Homo yodod.
"What is this? You-and your" He
stared from Dave to the priest, then
back again.
They all spoke at once, but he heard
only Alaire's words:
"He came to find me-"
Pancho appeared in the doorway be-
hind Longorio saying, II heard you
ride up, sir, so l ran to tell you about
this fellow"
But the general cut him short. Call
your men, quick" he cried in a voice
that sent the soldier leaping back into
the night.
Alaire was clinging to Dave, merely
clutching him the tighter when he tried
to tnclasp her hold. Her movement
into the shelter of his rivals arms in
furiated Longorio, who uttered an ex-
clamation and fumbled uncertainty
with his holster. But his fingers were
clumsy. He could not take his eyes
from the pair, and he seemed upon the
point of rushing forward to tear them
apart.
Don't touch her! Don't" he be-
gan, cursing in a high-pitched voice.
God! What a reckoning!" Then he
stamped his feet, he wrung his hands,
he called shrilly at the top of his voice:
Lieutenant! Ho, Pancho! You fell
lows! Quickly!' Under the stress Of
his excitement the feminine side of his
character betrayed itself.
Alaire felt her newly made husband
gather himself for a spring; he was
muttering to her to release him; he
was trying to push her aside, but she
held fast with the strength of despera-
ton.
"You can't harm u.s." she declared,
flinging her words defiantly at the
Mexican. "You dare not. You are too
late Father O'Malley has just mar
ried U.S."
Longorio uttered a peculiar, wordless
cry Of dismay; his mouth fell open;
his arms dropped; he went limp all
over, paralyzed momentarily by sur
prise and horror; his eyes troubled; he
swayed as if his sight had blurred.
81 said I'd never marry you" she
rushed on, vibrantly. This is the man
I love-the only man. Yes, and I've
learned the truth about you. know
who killed Mr.. Austin"
Longorio did a very unexpected
thing then; slowly, unconsciously, as If
the movement were the result of a half
training, he crossed himself.
But now from the hall at his back |
came the pounding of boot-heels, and a
half-dozen painting troopers tumbled
through the door. He waved them back
a1d out into the hall again.
Father OMalley, who had been try
ing to make himself heard, stepped In
front of the general and said, solemn
": take care what you do, Longorio. |
| have married these people, and you
can't undo what I have done. We are
American citizens. The laws Of civili-
zation protect u.s." .
The Mexican fought for his voice,
then stammered: "You are my priest;
[ brought you here. l offered to marry
her. Now-you force me to damn my
SOUL" Turning his eyes wildly upon
AlairA he shouted: "ToO late, Ell? |