The Huttig news., 1917-05-26

| that why you continue to shrink? Well, let me tell you something if my tongue will frame the thoughts in my mind My passion Is so deep and so sacred that l would not be content with less than all of you. I must have you all, and so I wait, trembling. I say this so badly that 1 doubt if you under stand. Listen, then: to possess you 1 by force would be-well. as if I sacked cathedral of it's golden images and expected to gain heaven by clutching the cross in my arms. Sonora, in you I see the priceless jewel of my love, which I shall wear to dazzle the world, and without which I shall de- l stroy myself Now let me tell you what I can offer you, what setting l can build for this treasure. Marriage with Luis Longorio-"
 Alaire could not control a start.
 As if quickened by his intensity, the man read her thought. You did not imagine that I offered you anything less?"
 "what was to think? Your repu- i tation-"
 "Blood of my heart!' breathed the general. "So! That is what you meant a moment ago. That is why you re- fuse my embraces. No, no! Other women have feared ne, and I have laughed In their hair as they tore at ny arms, but you-you will be my wife. and all Mexico shall bow at your feet" He checked her denial with a gesture. "Wait until I tell you the vision I have seen during these days of despair see Mexico made whole by my hands; land of peace and plenty; people with one name upon their lips-the name of Longoro the Deliverer anG you as the first lady | of them all. You know nie for man of tremendous ability in every line. l Well, know myself too. I have meas ured myself carefully, and 1 have no weakness. There is DO other like me. Rancho Gomez? Bah He is u red handed bandit of no culture. Can deleria, his chief? The idol of the ig-
 
 Potosi? He is president today, but what of tomorrow? Those who sur round him are weddings, and he stumbles toward oblivion. Who will succeed him? Who will issue from the coming struggle as the dominant | figure of Mexico? Who but that mili- tary genius who checks the Yankee hofdes and saves the fatherland? l am he. Fate points the path of glory | and 1 am her man of destiny. You see, then, what 1 bring you-power position, riches. Riches? Caramba ! Wait until my hands are in the treas ury. l will load you with gold and jewels. and I will make you the rich est woman in the world. Sonora, l offer you dominion. offer you the presidents palace and Chapultepec. And with all that, I offer you such passionate love as no woman of history ever possessed.'
 I He paused, spent by the force of his own intensity it was plain that he ex- pected an immediate surrender.
 Alaire's lips parted in the faintest of mocking smiles. You have great confidence in yourself" she said
 "Yes. I know myself as no one knows me-"
 "Why do you think I care for you?' Longorio's eyes opened. His ex- precision plainly showed that he could not imagine any woman in her senses 1 failing to adore him.
 Don't you take much for granted?' Alaire insisted.
 The Mexican shook his head Then his face lightened "Ahl Now I see Your modesty forbids you to acknowl- edge your love-is that 1t? Well, know that you admire me, for I can see ii. All women admire me, and they all end by loving me-" His chest arched imperceptibly with slender finger he delicately smoothed his black eye brows. Alaire felt a wild impulse to laugh but was glad she had subdued it when he continued "I am impetuous, but impetuosity has made me what am. l act, and then mold fate to suit my own ends. Opportunity has de- livered to me my hearts desire, and will not be cheated out of 1t. Among the men I brought with me to La Ferfa is a priest. He is dirty, for caught him as he was fleeing toward the border; but he is q priest, and he will marry us tonight"
 Alaire managed to gasp "Surely yon are not in earnest"
 "Indeed am! That is why insist ed that you dine with me this evening. l cannot waste more time here, for necessity calls me away. You shall go as my wife"
 Do you think I would remarry on | the very day I find myself widow?"
 "The world will never know"
 "You dare to say that, '" Her tone was one of disgust, of finality. T won- der how have listened to so much. It Is horrible"
 You are still little hysterical, and you exaggerate. If I had more time, I could afford to wait" He ogled her with his luminous gaze. 'I would let