The Huttig news., 1917-06-09

Dave stared at her in bewilderment q? go, and-leave you?" He seemed doubtful of her sanity.
 "Yes." When he laughed shortly Alaire cried: Dave, you must! Don't you see what I'm driving at? If he can't marry me, if he finds you're gone and he can't lay hands on you, what can. he do but let me go? Dave dear for my sake, for the sake of us both-'
 "You're excited" he told her, and drew her to himself gently.
 "Pleasel Please!' she implored.
 "You don't know that man." said Father O'Malley, with conviction.
 But Alaire insisted, half hysterically now: "I do; that's just it, 1 do know him. He is planning the greatest things for himself, his head is in the clouds and he darent do the things he used to do. That's why I called in those women as witnesses. He can't put them out of the way. With Dave gone HI be safe. He can't ignore our mar rlage. But otherwise There's no telling what he may do. Why, he'll kill you, Dave, as he killed Ed" She up- turned face eloquent with pleading. Wont you do this for me?"
 No" Law declared, firmly. You wouldn't ask it if you were in your senses. Get me a gun and I'll shoot my way out. We'll go until they stop us. But don't ask me to leave you"
 She searched his face eagerly, pite- ously, then with quivering sigh re- faxed her tension. "Then we've only 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 I understand that it was he who ef- 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!' p
 The heavy door of the hacienda creaked, 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 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 a 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 head forward. he demanded:
 s.What is this? You-and you?" 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-"
 Rancho appeared in the doorway be hind Longorio, saying. T heard you this fellow"
 But the general cut him short. Gall your men, quick" he cried in voice that sent the soldier leaping back into the night
 Alaire was clinging to Dave, merely clutching him the tighter when he tried to unclasp 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 high-pitched voice. God What reckoning" !" Then he stamped his feet, he wrung his hands, he called shrilly at the top of his voice :: Lieutenant! Ho, Rancho! You fel- 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 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 us," she declared, flinging her words defiantly at the Mexican. You dare not. You are too late. Father O'Malley has just mar ried us."
 Longorio uttered peculiar, wordless cry of dismay; his mouth fell open !; his arms dropped; he went limp an
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