Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-04-07

yided we stole nothing and paid for
the cattle we ate. Well, Longorio is
q great one for schemes; he Is talking
over the telegraph with somebody at
this moment. Perhaps 1t Is the presi-
lent of Texas
"YOu are a poor man, are you nOt?'
Alaire inquired.
'Nilserably poor"
AWould you like TO make great deal
Of money!
"Dios! That Is why I'm soldier"
II will pay you well to get me two
horses"
But old Panch0 shook his head Wig
,rously. Impossible! General Lon
gori0 Is going to marry you. We all
got drunk last night to celebrate the
wedding. Yes. and the priest is wait
ing"
II will make ,ou rich.'
"Ho! wouldn't live to spend a single
reso. Felipe dsoleyed orders. and
the general shot bin before he could
ross himself Boon The poor fol
Tow was passed In minute. No. We
will all be rich after we win a few
battles and capture some American
cities. I am an old man; shall leave
the drinking and the women to the
young fellows, and prepare for my old
age"
Seeing that she could not enlist Pan
cho's aid, Alaire begged him to fetch
the priest.
"You wish spiritual comfort, Sc
nOra?"
Perhaps"
swell, he doesn't look like much OF
a priest, but probably he will do. AS
for me, l don't believe in such things.
Churches are all very well for ignorant
people, but we Mexicans are too intel
ligent; we are making an end Of them"
The priest was small, white-haired
man with a gentle, almost timid face
and at the moment when he appeared
before Alaire he was In anything but
a happy frame of mind. He had under
gone he told her, a terrible experience
His name was O'Aialley. He had come
from Monclava, whence the rebels had
| banished him under threat of death
He had seen his church despoiled Of Its
valuables, his school closed; he him.
self had managed to escape only by
miracle. During his flight toward the
border he had suffered every indignity,
and finally Longorio had intercepted
him and brought him here, practically
In chains.
| "What situation! What chaos y
he lamented. 1.-THE land is overrun
with bandits; there Is no law, no nu-
thority, no faith; religion is made a
mockery. The men are becoming inf.
dels and atheists, and In many places
they will not allow us to give comfort
even to their women"
SIS 1t as bad as that?"
Father O'Malley shook his head sad
ly. "You've no idea. What do yor
think of people who forbid the men
"tion Of Gods name in their schools
That is what the revolutionlsts are
doing Candeleria claims that thu
churches are the property Of the state
He confiscates them, and he charges
admission. He has banished all ex
cept few Of us priests, and ha'
shamefully prosecuted our Sisters O
, Mercy. Oh, the outrages! Mexico Is
today, the blacklist spot on the maj
Of Christendom." His voice broke
'That is the freedom, the liberty, tn
democracy, for which they are fight
ing. That is the new Mexico. An
the federals are not bit better. Thi
. LOngorlo, for instance, this-w0lf--h
brings me here, as his prisoner, to sol
emnize an unholy marriage He treat
me like a dog. Last night ! slept In
!. filthy howell"
"Oh! I'm sorry" Alaire exclaimed
: but I'm half crazed with my ow
troubles. You must come into tn
house; the best have ID yours. 70
shall be as much my guest As CO
! make you, and--perhaps You will hel
J, me to escape"
"Escape9' The little man smile
mournfully. "You are watched or
: guarded, and SO am I. Even II yo
y got away from here, what thenf "
can't imagine the condition Of Il
: country"
Il won't marry him!'' Alaire erie
= with q shudder. II won't!"
Y "He can't very well force you to I
! 10. But remember, these are WI
- times; the man is f1end, and he pu
: no restraint upon his desires. n
!. Ii madly bent on having you, how CT
/" you prevent It? In normal times
would not dare injure one 80 prom
y nent as you, but now" Faith
O'Malley lifted up his hands. " on
!. : wonder that he suggests a lawful me
!" riage. Suppose you refuse7 Will
not sacrifice you to his passions? ]
has done worse things" After m
ment's consideration. he said: I"
y course It is possible that l mlsjud
y him. Anyhow, If you desire me to
= : 30, will refuse to perform the cel
!, mony. But-Im afraid It will ],
" q 4 d