Crossville chronicle. [volume] (Crossville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-10-03

figure of Mexico? Who but that mill
tary genius who checks the Yankee
hordes and saves the fatherland?
am he. Fate points the path of glory
and l am her man of destiny. You
see, then. what bring you-power,
position. riches. Riches? Caramba
Wait until my hands are In the treas
ury. l will load you with gold and
jewels, and l will make you the rich
est woman in the world. Sonora,
offer you dominion. offer you the
presidents palace and Chapultepec.
And with all that, l offer you such
passionate love as no woman of history
ever possessed"
He paused, spent by the force Of his
own intensity; it was plain that he ex-
pected an immediate surrender.
Alaire's lips parted in the faintest
of hooking smiles. "You have great
confidence in yourself" she said.
"Yes. I know myself as no one
knows me-"
"Why do you think 1 care for your
Longorios eyes opened. His ex-
preston plainly showed that he could
not imagine any woman in her senses
failing to adore him.
"Don't you take much for granted"
Alaire insisted. - s.
The Mexican shook his head. Then
his face lightened. "Ahl Now see
Your modesty forbids you to acknowl-
edge your love-is that 1t? Well, know
that you admire me, for I can see it.
All women admire me. and they all
end by loving me-" His chest arched
imperceptibly; with slender finger
he delicately smoothed his black eye
brows. Alaire felt a wild impulse to
laugh, but was glad she had subdued
it when he continued. II am impetuous,
but impetuosity has made me what
am. act, and then mold fate to suit
my own ends. Opportunity has de-
livered to me my hearts desire, and
will not be cheated out oft. Among
the men l brought with me to La
Feria is a priest. He is dirty, for
caught him as he was fleeing toward
the border; but he is priest, and he
will marry us tonight"
Alaire managed to gasp. "Surely you
are not in earnest"
"Indeed am That Is why insist
ed that you dine with me this evening.
cannot waste more time here, for
necessity calls me away. You shall 90
as my wife,"
"Do you think I would remarry on
the very day find myself a widow?"
"The world will never know"
"You dare to say that" Her tone
was one of disgust, of finality. II won
der how I have listened to so much. 1t
Is horrible"
"You are still little hysterical, and
you exaggerate. If had more time,
l could afford to wait" He ogled her
with his luminous gaze. 81 would let
you play with me to your hearts con-
tent and exercise your power until you
tired and were ready to surrender"
'Alaire raised her head proudly, her
nostrils dilated, her eyes ablaze with
hostility. "This Is very humiliating,
but you force me to tell you that I hate
you"
LOngorio was incredulous rather
than offended. He drew himself up to
his full height and smiled, saying:
''That is impossible" Then, ignoring
her Impotence: Come! You cannot
deceive me. The priest is waiting"
When Alaire spoke next, it was with
an expression and with tone Of such
loathing that his yellow face paled.
"Your conceit is insufferable,' she
breathed.
After brief struggle with himself,
the Mexican cried, hoarsely: Il will
not be refused. You wish me to tame
you, Ell? Good! You have found your
master. Make your choice, then.
Which shall it be, surrender Groom
pulsion?"
"SoI You have been lying, as
thought. Compulsion! Now the real
Longorio speaks"
He flung up his hands as II to ward
off her fury. "No! Have l not made
myself clear? I shall embrace you
only with the arms of a husband, for
this is not the passion of a moment,
but Of lifetime, and have myself to
consider. The wife of Mexico's next
president must be above reproach;
there must be no scandal. no secrets
hidden away for enemies to unearth.
She must stand before the people as
a perfect woman; she must lend pres
tige to his name. When / speak of
compulsion, then, mean the right of
a husband"