The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1917-08-09

the coming struggle as the m
figure of Mexico? Who but that mill
tary genius who checks the Yankee
hordes and ave the fatherland? I
am he. Fate points the path Of glory
and I an her man of destiny. You
see, then, what I bring you-power,
position, riches. Riches? Caramba !
Wait until my hands are in the treas
ury. I will load you with gold and
jewels, and I will make you the rich
est woman in the world. Sonora, I
offer you dominion. I offer you the
presidents palace and Chapultepec.
And with all that, I 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 n
knows me-"
"Why do you think I care for you?"
Longorio's 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.
The Mexican shook his head. Then
his face lightened. "Ah! Now I see.
Your modesty forbids you to acknowl-
edge your love-is that it? Well, I 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 a 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 i%mpetuosity has made me what I
am. I act, and then mold fate to suit
my own ends. Opportunity has de-
livered to me my hearts desire, and I
will not be cheated out of it. Among
the men I 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 a priest, and he
will marry us tonight"
, Alaire managed to gasp, "Surely you
are not in earnest"
, "1ndeed I am! That is why I insist.
ed that you dine with me this evening.
i, I cannot waste more time here, for
! necessity calls me away. You shall 60
! as my wife,"
, do you think I would remarry on
the very day I find myself a widow?''
' "The world will never know"
> "You dare to say that!" Her tone
was n Of disgust, of finality. II Won
, der how I have listened to so much. It
is horrible"
. "You are still a little hysterical, and
you exaggerate. If I had more time,
I could afford to wait" He ogled her
. with his luminous gaze. II 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. 'sThis is very humiliating,
: but you force me to tell you that 1 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 impatience: "Come! You cannot
deceive me-. The priest is waiting"
When Alaire spoke next, it was with
an expression and with a tone Of such
loathing that his yellow face paled.
"Your conceit is in~sufferable," she
breathed.
After a brief struggle with himself,
the Mexican cried, hoarsely: II will
not be refused. You wish me to tame
you, eh? Good! You have found your
master. Make your choice, then.
Which shall it be, surrender Groom
%pulsion?"
! $50! You have been lying, as ]
thought. C%ompulsion! Now the real
| Longorio speaks"
He flung up his hands as If to ward
off her fury. "No! Have I 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 a lifetime, and I 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
t a perfect woman; she must lend pres.
. tige to his name. When I speak Of
r compulsion, then, I NEAR the right Of
q husband"
Alaire uttered an exclamation of dis
gust and turned away, but he inter
cepted her, saying: "You cannot hold
me at bay. It is destiny. You shall be
mine tonight. Think a moment! We
9 are alone in the heart of a country
y lacking in every law but mine. Your
friends do not know where you are,
and, ven If they knew, they could not
help you. Your nations protest would
o avail nothing. Outside Of these walls
are enemies who will not let you leave
this house except under the protec-
t9on of INV nomoO