The Raymer enterprise., 1917-09-20

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him here. too"
"How did you manage to get herer'
II hardly know. l just wouldn't lei
'em stop me. This lieutenant wouldn't
let me In until told him was from
Monterey with important news. don't
remember oil ! did tell him. tried to
gel here last night. but | had trouble
They caught me. and l had to buy my
way through. I've bribed and bullied
and lied clear from Romero. | reckon
they couldn't imagine I'd risk being
here II wasn't friend"
1t was more Dawes tone than his
words that reused Alaire to an appre
citation OF what he said.
"Are you alone?" she asked, In vague
dismay. Then what are We going
to doi"
Il don't know yet. Ny plans ended
here"
Dave! You rode In Just to find me
Just 10 be with meT
"Yes. And 10 get him." Alaire saw
his face twitch, and realized that II
was very haggard, very old and tired
They lifted my guns-a bunch of fel.
lows at the Rio Negro crossing. Some
Of them were drunk and wouldn't be-
lieve | was an amigo. So finally had
to ride for It."
Cant you take me away?' she
asked, family. what will you dt
when-he comes?"
Il reckon I'll manage him somehow
His grip upon her frightened painfully
aud she could feel him tremble. u
was afraid ! wouldn't find you. l.
o Sod, Alaire." He buried his face
In her hair.
Il had at terrible scene with him last
night. He insists upon marrying ma
II was hoping you'd come"
'"Ilow could l. when nobody knew
where you werei''
Didn't you know? wrote you" lie
shpoh HiS H'uu. ihtu uoW mu you
learny"
From Jose. ! caught him within an
hour OF the murder, and made him tell
me everything"
Alaire's eyes dllated, she held her.
self away, saying. breathlessly: Muir.
der Is that what II was? He-Lon.
gorio-told me something quite differ.
ent."
Naturally. II was he who hired jose
to do the shooting"
"Oh-h" Alaire hid her face In her
hands. She looked up again quickly
however, and her cheeks were white
Then he won't spare you, Dave" She
choked for an instant. 1--WE must get
away before he comes. There must be
some way Of escape. Think"
I'm pretty tired to think. I'm pretty
near played out" he confessed.
They're watching me. but they'd
let you CO."
"Now that I'm here I'm going to stay
until"
She interrupted, crying bis namt
loudly, 'Dave!"
"Yes. What Is itr"
"Wait. Let me think" She closed
her eyes; her brows drew together al
II In the labor Of concentration. Wher
she lifted her lids her eyes were alight
her voice was eager. II know how.
see 1t. He won't dare But you mus,
do what tell YOU"
"Of course"
"No questions. UnderstandT
When he nodded impatlently she ran
to the door and, fiinging 1t open. called
down the hall:
Father! Father O'Malleyl Quick r
Then she summoned Dolores.
The priest answered; he hurried
from his room and, with a dazed lack
OF comprehension, acknowledged his
swift introduction to Dave. Alaire was
keenly alive and vibrant with purpose
now. Dolores, too, came running and
while the men were exchanging greet
ings her mistress murmured something
In her ear, then hastened her depar'
ture with quick push. Turning upon
the others, Alaire explained:
"Tve sent for some of the women
and they'll be here In a minute. Fa'
ther, this man has come for me. He
loves me. VIII you marry US before
Longorio arrivesT
"Alalre" Dave exclaimed.
She stilled him with a gesture
Quick! Win your
Father O'Malley was bewildered. =
don't understand" he expostulated.
(To BE CoNTINuEDJ