The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-06-02

come to a pause, a tall figure in spot
less uniform leaped to the ground and
strobe to the waiting coaches 1t was
Luis Longorio. He waved a signal to
the conductor, then swung aboard the
north-bOund train.
The general was all smiles as he
came down the aisle, and bowed low
over AIaire's hand.
Dolores gasped and stiffened in her
seat like a woman of stone.
Heaven be praised, You are safe
and weIII'' said the newcomer Il
have blamed myself for allowing you
to take this abOminable journey! L
have been in torment lest something
befalI you. Every night l have prayed
that you might be spared all harm
When 1 received word that you were
coming, made all speed 70 meet you.
Dolores and I are greatly in your
debt" Alaire told him.
But you stayed so long"
''There was more work than 1
thought. General, you have ruined me-"
LOngoriO was panied; his face be
came ineffably sad. ''Pleasei 1 beg
of you" he entreated. Il have ar
ranged for reparation of that miser-
able mistake. l shall see that you re-
ceive justice. If the government will
not pay, 1 will. All I possess would
be too little to buy your happiness"
"YOu embarrasS me. I'm afraid you
don't realize what you say" Alaire re-
manned cool under the mans prOtesta-
tons. 81 have lost more than thou
sand head of cattle"
1--WE shall say two, three thousand,
and the government will pay" LOngO-
rio asserted brazenIy 81 will vOuch
for your figures, and no one will ques-
ton them, for am 'man Of honor"
mol All I want
cit is done. Let US say no more
about the affair. Sonora, have thought
of you every hour; the duties that held
me in Nuevo Pueblo were like irksome
chains. 1 was in madness. I would
have flown to La Feria, butt could
not"
''My husband will thank you for your
great courtesy to me-" Alaire managed
to say.
But the mention of husbands was
not agreeable to one of Longorio's SEN
sitiveness, and his face betrayed a
hint of Impotence.
Eyes, yes" he agreed carelessly.
"Senor Austin and 1 must know each
other better and become friends"
THAT is hardly possible at present.
When the war is over"
"BahI This war is nothing. I go
where I please. You would be sur
prised to greet me at Las Palmas some
day soon, en-? When you tell your
husband what friend 1 am, he would
be glad to see me, would he notT'
'Why-of course. But surely you
wouldn't dare
''And why not? 1 have made inQui-
ries, and they tell me Las Palmas is
beautiful, heavenly, and that you are
the one who transformed it. I believe
them. You have the power TO trans
form all things, even a mans heart
and soul. No wonder you are called
The Lone Star But wait. You will
see how constantly 1 think of you"
Longorio drew from his pocket several
photographs of the Austin ranchhouse.
"Where did you get those?" AIaire
asked in establishment.
"Ah! My secret See! They are
badly worn already, for I keep them
next TO my BOSOM"
eve entertain very few guests at
Las Palmas," she murmured, uncom-
fortably.
ST know. I know a great deal''
cit would scarcely be safe for you
to call; the country is full of Candle
| leristaS-"
"Cattle!" said the officer, with a
careless shrug. Did not that great
poet Byron swim across an ocean to
see a lovely lady? Well, I, too, am a