The Snowflake herald., 1917-10-19

why L, Ol all people, SnOulu De Ln0 one
to impart them"
Alaire turned questioning eyes upon
him, as if to fathOm his meaning, and
he answered her with his brilliant
smile. Failing to evoke response, he
went on:
'Ever since I heard of it I have re-
peated over and over again, 1T is a
miracle; it is the will of God Come,
then, we know each other so well that
we may speak frankly. Let US be bon
est and pretend to no counterfeit emo
tions. Let us recognize in this only
your deliverance and the certainty of
that blessed happiness which divine
providence offers us both"
''Both?' she repeated, duly.
''Need l be palmer? You know my
heart. You have read me. You under
stand how / have throttled my long
ings and remained mute while all my
being called to YOU"
Alaire withdrew a step, and her
cheeks colored with anger. General y
she exclaimed, with some difficulty, II
am amazed. This is no time" Her
indignation rose with the sound of her
own voice, causing her to stammer.
Taking advantage of her loss of
words, he hurried on: "You must par
don my impetuosity, but l am man of
tremendous force, and my life moves
swiftly. l am not shackled by cOnven-
tiOns-they are less than nothing to
me- If it seems to you that my eager
ness carries me away, remember that
war is upon us and that affairs of mo-
ment press me so that am compelled
to move like the lightning. With me,
sonora, a day is a year. The past is
gone, the present is here, the future
rushes forward to meet u.s."
Indeed, you forget yourself" she
said, warmly. Then, changing her tone:
81 too must act quickly. must go
back at once"
ooh, but have told you only part
of what 1 came to say"
"Surely the rest can wait" Her
voice was vibrant with contempt. "Im
in no condition to listen to anything
else."
But Longorio insisted. ''Wait! It is
impossible for you to leave here"
Alaire stared at him increduloUsly.
cit is true. Mexico is a seething cal
drOn Of hate; the country is convulsed.
It would be unsafe for you"
''Do you mean to say that war has
been declared"
practically"
"What-? You are telling me the
truth? A moment, then Alaire con-
tinued, more calmly, eff that is so,
there is all the more reason why
should lose no time"
"Listen !" The general was deeply
in earnest. "YOu have no conception
of the chaos out there" He waved
comprehensive gesture. eff the eXplo-
sion has not come, it will come within
few hours. That is why | few to
your side. Battleships are hurrying to-
ward our coast, troops are massirg
against our border, and Mexico has
risen like one man. The people are in
a frenzy; they are out of bounds; there
is sack and pillage in the cities. Ameri-
cans are objects of violence every
where and the poems are frantic" He
paused impressively. "We face the
greatest upheaval of history"
''Then why are you here?" Alaire de-
manded. "This is nC place for you at
such a moment"
Longorio came closer to her, and his
voice trembled as he said: "Angel of
my soul, my place is at your side. !"
Again she recoiled, but with a fervOr
he had never dared display he rushed
on heedlesSly. Il have told you
harken only to my heart; that for one
smile from you l would behead myself !;
that for your favor l would betray my
fatherland; that for your kiss would
face damnation. Well, am here at
your side. The deluge comes, but you
shall be unharmed." He would not per-
nit her to check him, crying: "Wait |!
You must hear me through, sonora, so
that you may comprehend fully why
am forced to speak at this time. Out
of this coming struggle | shall emerge
heroic figure. Now that Mexico
unites, she will triumph, and of all her
victorious sons the name of Luis Lon
gOriO will be sung the lOudest, for upon
him more than upon any other depends
the republics salvation. l do not boast.
l merely state facts, for have made
all my plans, and tomorrow put them
into effect. That is why I cannot wait
to speak. The struggle will be long,
but you shall be my guiding star in the
hours of darkness"
Under other circumstances the mans
magnificent egotism might have pro-
voked a smile. And yet, for all it's
grandilOquence, there was something
in his speech that rang hard and true.
Unquestionably Longorio was danger
ous-a real personality, and no mere
staggering pretender. Alaire felt a
certain reluctant respect for him, and
at the same time a touch of chilling
fear such as she had hardly expert
enced before. She faced him silently
for moment; then she said: