The Huttig news., 1917-05-26

master. Make your choice, then. Which shall it be, surrender or-com- pulsion?"
 "So! You have been lying, as thought. Compulsion Now the real Longorio speaks"
 He flung up his hands as if to ward off her fury. "No! Have I not made myself clear? I shall embrace you only with the arms of a husband, for this is not the passion of moment, but of lifetime, and have myself to consider. The wife of Mexicos next president Eust be above reproach there must be no scandal, no secrets i hidden away for enemies to unearth She must stand before the people as d perfect woman; she must lend pres tfge to his name. When I speak of compulsion then, I mean the right of a husband-"
 Alaire uttered an exclamation of dis gust and turned away, but he inter- cepted her, saying: You canaot hold me at bay. It is destiny. You shall be I are alone in the heart of country lacking in every law but mine. Your friends do not know where you are. and, even if they knew, they could not help you. Your nations protest would avail nothing. Outside of these walls are enemies who will not let you leave this house except under the protec- tion of ny name."
 "Then I shall never leave it." she told him.
 For the first time Longorio spoke roughly: "I lose patience. In Gods name have I not waited long enough? My strength is gone" Impulsively he half encircled her with his thin arms. but she seemed armored with ice. and i he dropped them. She could hear him grind his teeth. "I dare not lay hands upon you" he chattered. Angel of my dreams, l am faint with longing. ro love you and yet to be denied; to 1 feel myself aflame and yet to see you cold; to he halted at the very doors of Paradise What torture" !"
 The fellows self-control in the midst of his frenzy frightened Alaire more. than did his widest avOwals: it was in something of panic that she said
 "One moment you tell me I am safe, the next you threaten me. You say 1 nm free, and yet you coeree me. Prove your love. Let me go-"
 "No! No! I shall call the priest"
 Longorio turned toward the door, but halfway across the floor he was halted by woman's shriek which is- sued from somewhere inside the house. 1 It was repeated. There was an out burst in q masculine voice. then the batter of footsteps approaching down the tiled hallway. Dolores burst into her mistress presence, her face blanched. her hair diserdered. She flung herself into Alaire's arms. cry ing:
 "Senora Save mel Gods curse on the ruffian. Oh-,"'
 Dolores p Alaire exclaimed. "What has happened?"
 Longorio demanded, irritably: "Yes. Why are you yelling like thisT"
 "A man See! One of those dirty | peladors. Look where he tore my dress! I warned him. but he was like tiger. BenitO will kill him when he | learns"
 "Calm yourself. Speak sensibly. Tell me what happened"
 "One of those miserable soldiers who came today-pig!" Dolores was shaking. her voice was shrill. "He fol- i lowed me about like cat, purring and grinning and saying the most horrible things. Just now, when went to your room. he was waiting in the darkness, and he seized me. My money!'
 "A soldier? One of my men?" Lon gorio was incredulous
 Alaire turned upon him with a blaz- ing anger in her face. "Is this more of your protection?" she stormed. "I give you and your men the freedom of my ranch, and you insult me while they rob my women" | He ignored her accusation inquiring of the elder woman, "Who was the fel- l low?'
 How do know" Dolores sobbed. "He is a-a thick. black fellow with a scar on his lip, like snarl." "Felipe!"
 "Yes, Felipe! I believe they called him that"
 Longorio strodc to the end of the living room, flung open the wooden shutters of window, and, leaning far i ont. whistled sharply on his fingers.
 "0iga! Teniente! Ho, you fel- lows.'' he shouted From the darkness a voice an i swered; man, evidently on guard, came running.
 "Call old Pancho," the general di- rected. Tell him to bring me black Felipe, the fellow with the torn lip. Quick !''
 "Yes, general" came the voice; then the metallic rattle of spurs and ac- coutrements as the sentry trotted away. .f..@ ...s-
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