The Lamar register., 1917-09-12

.ly in the nearest chair. But you need
have no uneasiness."
Alaire answered sharply, 1T was a
very reckless thing TO do, and you
must not remain here
Longorio drew ms evenly arched
brows together in a paintive frown,
saying, you are inhospitabler Then
his expression liGhtened. or is 1t,
he asked-'is It that you are indeed
apprehensive for meT"
Alaire tried to speak quietly. II
should never forgive myself If you
came to harm here at my ranch"
Longorio sighed. "And 1 hoped for
a warmer especially since /
have done you another favor. You
saw that hombre who came with meT"
"Yes."
well, you would never guess it tx
your Jose Sanchez. He was distracted
Mt the news of his cousins murder,
and came to me"
Ellis cousin was not murdered"
-Exactlyl 1 told him So when I
learned the facts. | said TO him. Jose,
my boy, 1t is better to do nothing than
to act wrongly. Go back to your beau
tiful employer, be loyal 10 her, and
think no more about this unhappy af-
fair. 1t required some argument, |
assure you. but-he is here He comes
10 ask your forgiveness and to resume
his position of trust
u am. glad to have him back If he
feels that way. l have nothing what
ever to forgive him"
"Thcn he will be happy, and l have
served you. That is the end Of the
matter" with graceful gesture Lon
gorio dismissed the subject. 1T is to
be my pleasure" he next inquired
"to meet Senor Austin, your husbandI"
81 am afraid not
"Too bad. ! had hoped TO know
him and convince him that we fede-
rales are not such bad people as he
seems to think. We ought to be
friends, he and l."
Under this talk Paloma stirred un-
easily, and at the first opportunity
burst out: ITS far from safe for you
to remain here, General Longorio.
This nelghborhood Is terribly excited
over the death Of Ricardo GuzmHn,
and if anyone learned
"Soi Then Guzmnn is dead?" Lon
gorio inquired, with interest.
Isn't hep blurted Puloma.
mot so far as ! can learn. Only
today | made official report that moth
ing whatever could he discovered about
him. Certainly he is nowhere in Ro-
nero, and it is my personal belief that
the poor fellow was either drowned
in the river or made way with for hls
money Probably the truth will never
be known"
Longorio had come to spend the
evening. and his keen pleasure In
Alairc Austn's company made him so
Indifferent to his personal safety that
nothing short of a rude DISMISSAL
would have served TO terminate his
visit Neither Alaire nor her compan-
ion, however had the least idea how
keenly lac resented the presence Of Pa
Iona Jones.
II was remarkable wCoing; on the
one hand this half-suyuEe .lan. guawed
by jealousy. needless of the illicit ma
ture Of hls passion. yet held within the
bounds Of deCurum by some fag-end
Of respectahility; and on the other
hand % woman, bored, resentful and
tortured al the moment by fear about
what was happening az the river bank,
II was late when Austin arrived.
Visitors az Las Pulmas We're unusual
at any time: hence the sound Of
strange voices in the brightly lighted
living room at such an hour surprised
him. He came tramping in. booted
and spurred, a beIligerent lool; Of in
quiry upon his bloated features. But
when ne had met his wife's guests, his
surprise turned to black displeasurc.
His own sympathies In the Mexican
struggle were so notorious that Longo-
rios presence seemed TO him TO have
but one possible Significance. Why
Puloma Jones was here he could not
imagine.
Alaire's caller remained at ease. and
appeared 10 welcome this chance Of
meeting Austin. Luis i.angorio was
the sort Of man who enjoys strained
situation. and one who shows to the
best advantage under adverse cOndi-
tions. Accordingly, Eds arrival. in
stead Of fastening his departure, mere
ly served % prolong his stay.
II was growing late now, and PalO-
ma was frantic. Profitlng by her first
opportunity she whispered to Alalre,