Macon beacon., 1917-05-18
CHAPTER V-Continued.

81 was coming to that. Your hus-
band, sonora, Is an active Candele-
riSta."
For q moment Alaire was at q loss;
then she replied 18th some spirit: "We
are two people, he 4, nd l. La Feria be-
longs to me-"
Nevertheless his co 'duct is regret
table" LOngo~' vent ON. "PrObably
evil mer -.e lied to him."
F"' first time Dolores stirred.
s. -.au watched her countryman with
peculiar fascination. Now she said,
as If freed from spell:
"Pah! Nobody pays heed to Senor
Ed. We do not consider him."
Alaire turned upon her with 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 to understand, then, that you
rob me because Of my husbands ac-
tiOn?" Alaire asked.
"No. shall help LongoriO beamed
enthusiastically. 1T shall be the OBJ
ject of my life to serve you, and you
and l shall arrange this matter salts
factorily. 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 eagerness soon gave place
to disappointment.
"Thank you," said Alaire, "but I
must first 60 to La Feria and get all
the facts"
"Senora! 1t is wretched journey.
See" He waved a cOntemptuous ges-
ture at the car, crowded to congestion.
''There is no food you have no one to
wait upon you. In my company you
will be safe. Upon my honor, you will
enjoy the highest courtesy"
"Of course. But l must go on. l
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-?
"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
it, raising it to his lips. He called one
of his Subordinates closer and ordered
that lieutenant and six soldiers be
detached to act as an escort to Mrs.
Austin's party. "Senora, the hours
will drag until l may see you
again and be of further service. Mean
while l shall be tortured with radiant
dreams. Go with God" For second
time he bowed and kissed the hand he
held, then, taking Jose Sanchez init
mately by the arm, he turned to the
door.
Dolores collapsed into her seat with
an exclamation. "Caramba! The man
is demon! And such eyes. Uf"
Dolores was interrupted by Longo-
rios voice beneath the open window.
The general stood, cap in hand, hold
ing up to Alaire solitary wildfower
which he had plucked beside the track.
"See!" he cried. "It is the color of
your adorable eyes-blue like the
sapphire GEM" He placed the deli
cate bloom in Alaire's fingers and was
gone.
"Cuidado! !" breathed Dolores. "There
is blood on 1t; the blood of innocents. |
He will burn for million years in hell,
that man."
Jose Sanchez came plowing into |
Alaire's car, tremendously excited |
Look, seno a !" he cried. Look what |
the general gave me-" and he proudly
displayed Longorios service revolver.
Around Jose's waist was the cartridge |
belt and holster that went with the |
weapon. with his own hands he
buckled it 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 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 I
her q small package, saying:
''The general commanded me to hand |