The Snowflake herald., 1917-11-02

from MOnclaVa, whence the reDelS nau
banished him under threat of death.
He had seen his church despoiled of it's
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 a situation! What chaos !"
be lamented. "The land is Overrun
with bandits; there is no law, no au-
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"
''Is it as bad as that?"
Father O'Malley shook his head sad
ly. "YOu've no idea. What do you
think of a people who forbid the men
ton of Gods name in their schools?
That is what the revolutionists are
doing. Candeleria claims that the
churches are the property Of the state.
He confscates them, and he charges
admission. He has banished all ex-
cept a few of us priests, and has
shamefully prosecuted our Sisters of
Mercy. Oh, the Outrages Mexico is,
today, the blackest spot on the map
Of ChristendOm" His voice broke.
THAT is the freedom, the liberty, the
democracy, for which they are fight
Ing. That is the now Mexico. And
the federals are not bit better. This
LongOrio, for instance, this-wolf-he
brings me here, as his prisoner, to sol
amnize an unhOly marriage! He treats
me like dog. Last night 1 slept in a
filthy howell
"Oh! I'm sorry" Alaire exclaimed.
But I'm half crazed with my own
troubles. You must come into the
house; the best I have is yours. You
shall be as much my guest as 1 can
make you, and-perhaps you will help
me to escape"
'Escape?" The little man smiled
mournfully. "You are watched and
guarded, and so am I. Even if you
got away from here, what then? You
can't imagine the condition of the
country"
II won't marry him !" Alaire cried,
with a shudder II wont!"
"He can't very we'll force you to do
so. But remember, these are war
times; the man is a fiend, and he puts
no restraint upon his desires. If he
is madly bent on having you, how can
you prevent it? In normal times he
would not dare injure one so promi-
nent as you, but now" Father
O'Malley lifted up his hands. 81 only
wonder that he suggests a lawful mar
riage. Suppose you refuse? VIII he
not sacrifice you to his passions? He
has done worse things" After a mo-
ment's consideration, he said: "Of
course it is possible that 1 misjudge
MIN. Anyhow, if you desire me to do
so, will refuse to perform the cere-
mony. But-Pm afraid it will just
mean ruin for both of u.s."
"Surely he wouldn't harm you?"
The father shrugged. "What am 1?
An obscure priest. Many of my broth
ers are buried in Mexico. However,
| shall do as you wish"
AS the day wore on Alaire realized
even more clearly the fact that she
was LOngorio's prisoner. His men, in
spite of their recent debauch, kept very
good watch over her, and it was plain
that they would obey his orders, no
matter how extreme. 1t occurred to
her finally that he was staying away
in order to give her fuller
of her position-so that
she might beat her wings against the
cage until exhausted.
Afternoon came, then evening, and
still LOngorio did not return. Father
O'Malley could give scant comfort;
Dolores was a positive trial.
Half distracted, Alaire roamed
through the house, awaiting her cap
tors coming, steeling herself for their
final battle. But the delay was trying:
she lOnged for the crisis to come, that
this terrible suspense might be ended.
AT such an hour her thoughts natu-
rally turned to Dave Law, and she
found herself yearning for him with
a yearning utterly new. His love had
supported her through those miserable
days at Las Palmas, but now ii was a
torture; she called his name wildly, pas
He knew her whereabouts
and her perii-why did he not come?
Then, more calmly, she asked herself
what he, or what anyone, could do
for her. How could she look for sue
cor when two nations were at war?
Night had come before she finally
gave up and acknowledged the hope
leSsness of her situation. She had
fought bravely, but with darkness her
fears grew blacker. She was on the
verge of her first breakdown, when,
in the early dusk outside, she heard
voices and the stamping of horses
hoofs. The sounds were mufled by
the heavy wooden shutters she had
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