The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1917-04-26
CHAPTER V-continued.

CHAPTER v-continued.
II was coming to that. Your hus-
band, sonora, is an active Candele-
rista."
For a moment Alaire was at a loss;
then she replied with some spirit: 1--WE
are two people, he and l.. La Feria be-
longs to me-"
Nevertheless his conduct is regret
table," Longorio went on. Probably
evil men have lied to him."
For the first time Dolores stirred.
She had watched her countryman with
a peculiar fascination. Now she said,
as if freed from a spell:
"Pah! Nobody pays heed to Senior
Ed. We do not consider him."
Alaire turned upon her with a sharp
exclamation, conscious meanwhile that
the woman's tone, even more than her
words, had enlightened Longorio to
some extent. Els lifted brows were
eloquent of surprise and curiosity, but
he held his tongue.
"Am 1 to understand, then, that you
rob me because of ny husbands ac-
tion?" Alaire asked.
"No. I shall help" Longorio beamed
enthusiastically. ut shall be the OBJ
ject of my life to serve you, and you
and I shall arrange this matter Salts
factorily. I 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
to disappointment.
'Thank you," said Alaire, "but I
must first go to La Feriu and get all
the facts"
Sonora! It is a wretched journey.
See!" He waved a contemptuous ges-
ture at the car, crowded to congestion.
'There is nc 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 I must go N. I
have Dolores and Jose to look after
me-" Alaire indicated Sanchez, who
had edged his way very close and now
stood with adniring eyes fixed upon
his hero.
"Yes, mi general" Jose exclaimed,
eagerly, II am here"
Longorio scrutinized the horse
breaker critically. "Your narne is"
"Jose Sanchez"
"You look like a 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
1t, raising 1t to his lips. He called one
of his subOrdinates closer and ordered
that q lieutenant and six soldiers be
detached to act as an escort to Mrs.
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 a second
time he bowed and kissed the hand he
held, thin, taking Jose Sanchez init
mately ty the arm, he turned to the
door.
Dolores collapsed into her seat with
nm exclamation. "Caramba! The man
is a demon! And such eyes. Uf!"
Dolores was interrupted by Long0-
los voice beneath the open window.
The general stood, cup In hand, hold
ing up to Alaire a solitary wildfower
which he had plucked beside the track.
"See!" he cried. 1T is the color Of
your adorable eyes-blue like the
sapphire gen." He placed the deli
cate bl.om in Alaire's fingers and was
gone.
"Cuidado !" breathed Dolores. 'There
is blood on it; the blood of innocents.
He will burn for u million years in hell,
that man."
Jose Sanchez came blowing into
Alaire's car, tremendously excited.
"Look, serora !" he cried. Look what
the general gave me-" and he proudly
displayed Longorio's service revolve
Around Jose's waist was the cartridS>.
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 I shall cut out you heart
with my W hands, Those were his
very words. sonora. Caramba! There
Is q 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
her a small package, saying:
1.-THE general commanded me to hand