The Lamar register., 1917-08-15


as If freed from a spell:
"Pah Nobody pays heed to SenOr
Ed. We do not consider him"
Alaire turned upon her with a sharp
exclamation, conscious meanwhile that
the woman's tone, even more than her
words. had enlightened Longorio to
some extent. His lifted brows were
eloquent of surprise and curiosity, but
he held his tongue.
"Am 1 to understand, then, that you
rob me because Of my husbands ac-
tom" Alaire asked.
mo. l shall help" Longorio beamed
enthusiastically. 1T shall be the OBJ
ject Of my life to serve you, and you
and I shall arrange this matter salts
factorily l have influence, believe me.
Duty calls me to Nuevo Pueblo, and
you shall return with me as the guest
Of my government" He rose to his
feet, but his eaEerness soon gave place
to disappointment.
THANK you," said Alalre, "but 1
must first go to La Feria and get all
the facts"
Sonora It Is a wretched journey.
See!" He waved a contemptuous ges-
ture at the car, crowded 10 congestion.
There is no food; you have no one to
wait upon you. In my company you
will be safe. Upon my honor, you viii
enjoy the highest courtesy"
"of course. But l must go on.
have Dolores and Jose to look after
me- Alaire Indicated Sanchez, who
had edged his way very close and now
stood with admiring eyes fixed upon
his hero.
yes mi general" Jose exclaimed,
eagerly, 81 am here"
Longorio scrutinized the horse
breaker critically. "Your name is-7"
"Jose Sanchez"
'You look like brave fellow"
Jose swelled at this praise, and no
doubt would have made suitable an
swer, but his employer held out her
hand and General LongoriO bent over
"a raising il to his lips. He called one
Of his subordinates closer and ordered
that Lieutenant and six soldiers be
detached to act ns an escort to Mrs.
Austin's party. "Senora, the hours
win drag until l may see You
again and be Of further service. Mean
while ! shall be tortured with radiant
dreams. Go with Godr' For second
time he bowed and kissed the hand he
held. then, taking Jose Sanchez inti-
mately by the arm, he turned to the
door.
Dolores collapsed into her seat with
an exclamation. "Caramha The man
IT, a demoni And such eyes. UfT
Dolores was interrupted by LOngo-
rios voice beneath the open window.
The general stood. cap in hand, hold
Ing mp to Alaire a solitary wlldhower
which he had plucked beside the track.
"See, - he cried. at is the color Of
your adorable eyes-blue ike the
sapphire gem" He placed the deli
cate bloom in AIaire's fingers and was
gone.
"Cuidado 2" breathed Dolores. "There
is blood on it; the blood Of innocents.
lie will burn for n million years in hell,
that man"
Jose Sanchez came plowinG into
Alaires car. Tremendously excited.
Look, senora :" he cried. Look what
the general gave me-" and he proudly
displayed Longorio's service revolver.
Around Jose's whist was the cartridge
belt and holster that went with the
weapon. with his own hands he
buckled 1t about me, and he said,
Jose, something tells me you are a
devil for bravery. Guard your mistress
with your life, for If any mishap be
falls her l shall cut out your heart
with my own hands Those were his
very words, sonora. Caramba There
Is a man to die for"
Nor was this the last Of Longorio's
dramatic surprises. Shortly after the
train had got under way the lieutenant
in command Of Alaire's guard brought
her a small package, saying:
''The general commanded me to hand
you this, with his deepest regard
Alaire accepted the object curiously.
It was small and heavy and wrapped
in several leaves torn from a notebook.
and 1t proved to be nothing less than
the splendid diamond-and-ruby ring
she had admired.
God protect us, nowr' murmured
Dolores, crossing herself devoutly.
CHAPTER vi.