The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1917-10-04

/ nuuL was SOAhe oh " AN t'cI'N ~
the next ranch. But / expected to find
him here, too"
slow did you manage to get heref"
II hardly know. / just wouldn't let
'em stop me. This lieutenant wouldn't
let me in until / told him I was from
Monterey with important news. / don't
remember all / did tell him. / tried to
get 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. l reckon
they couldn't imagine I'd risk being
here II l wasn't a 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 do?"
II don't know yet. My plans ended
here"
Dave! You rode in just to find me,
Just to be with meT"
"Yes. And to get him." Alalre saw
his face twitch, and realized that it
was very haggard, very old and tired.
"They lifted my guns-a bunch of fell
lows at the Rio Negro crossing. Some
Of them were drunk and wouldn't be-
lieve / was al amigo. So l finally had
10 ride for It."
Cant you take me away?" she
asked, family. what will you DO
when-he comes?"
II reckon I'll manage him somehow"
His grip upon her frightened painfully,
and she could feel him tremble. II
was afraid / wouldn't find you. l.
o God, Alaire!" He buried his face
in her hair.
81 had at terrible scene with him last
night. He insists upon marrying me.
IL was hoping you'd come"
"How could /, when nobody knew
where you were?"
Didn't you know? I wrote you" He
shook his head. "Then how did you
learn?"
"From Jose. I caught him within an
hour Of the murder, and made him tell
me everything"
Alaire's eyes dilated; she held her.
self away, saying, breathlessly: Muir
der! Is hat what it was? He-Lon-
gorio-told me something quite differ
ent."
Naturally. It was he who hired Jose
to do the shooting"
"Oh-h!" Alaire bid 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. "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 go"
snow that Tn here I'm gohag to stay
until"
She interrupted, crying his name
loudly, Dave"
Eyes. What is itF'
"Waitl Let me think" She closeo
her eyes; her brows drew together as
If In the labor of concentration. When
she lifted her lids her eyes were alight,
her voice was eager. Il know how. I
see it. He won't dare But you must
do what i tell YOU"
"Of course
"No questions. Understand"
When he nodded impatiently she ran
to the door and, flinging it open, called
down the hall:
Father! Father O'MaIley! Quick! !"
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 fastened her depar-
ture with q quick push. Turning upon
the others, Alaire explained:
'I've sent for some of the women,
and they'll be here in a minute. Fa-
Their, this man has come for me. He
loves me. VIII you marry us before
Longorio arrives?"
"Alairel' Dave exclaimed.
She stilled him with a gesture
"Quick! viii your"
Father 0'sfailey was bewiidered. Il
don't understand" he e~xpostulated.
(TO BE CoNTINuED)