Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-03-15

tbiu YOU SOHlc udN 1 SHOulu give my
self this great pleasure. am hercw
General Longorio! But-what n.
SURPRISE" Alairc's nmazcment was
naive: her face was that of q startled
schoolgirl. The McSican warmly kissed
he: fingers, then turned to meet Palo-
ma Jones. As he bowed, the women
exchanged c,anccs over his head. Miss
Zones looked frankly frightened, and
her expression plainly asked the mean
ins of Longorio's presence. TO her.
self, she was wondering if it could
have anything to do with that expcdl-
lion to the Romero cemetery. She
tried to compose herself, but appre-
hcnslon flooded her.
Aalrc, meanwhile. her composurc
'ccovered. WAS standing slim and mo-
tionlcss beside her chair, inQuirlng
smoothly, what brings you into Tex
rs at such time, my dear general?
This is quite extraordinary"
"Ncod You ask .nc?' cried the man
II would ride through 4 thousand per.
lis, sonora. God in his sraclousncss
placed that miserable village, Romero.
close to the gates of heaven. Why
sho2ld ] not presume to lool. through
them briefly? Icamc two days ago, and
every hour since then | have turned
my eyes in the direction of Las Pal
mas. At last could wait no longer"
Paloma gaspcd and Alaire stepped
through the French window ut her
back and into the brightly lighted
living room. Paloma Jones followed
rs If in trance.
Longorio's bright eyes took a swift
inventory of his surroundings; then he
sighed luxuriousIy.
'lIow fine!' said he. "How beauti-
full A nest for bird of paradise !"
Don't you consider this rather a
mad adventurc?" Alare insisted.
suppose it should become known that
you crossed the river?"
Longoro snapped his fingers. II an
swer to no one; | am supreme. But
your interest warns my heart; it
thrills me TO think you care for my
safety. Thus am repaid for my days
Of misery"
"You surely did not'--Palomn swal.
lowed hard"come alone?'
"No. I took measures to protect my.
self in case of eventualtics."
"IIow?"
'By bringing with me some Of my
troopers. Oh, they are peaccable fell
lows" he declared, quickly; "and they
are doubtless enjoying themselves
with our friend and sympathizcr, Mo.
rales."
"Wherc?" asked Alalrc.
II left them ut your pumping plant,
sonora" Paloma Jones sat down hcav-
lily in the nearest chair. 'But you need
have no uneasiness."
Alairc answered sharply, 1T was a
very reckless thing to do and you
must not remain here
Longorio drew his evenly arched
brows together In Il plaintive frown,
saying. "You are i;.hospitnblc" Then
his expression liglitcned. "Or is it,
he asked-"is It that you are indeed
apprehensive for me?'
Alaire tried to speak quietly. I"
should never forgive myself IL yol
came to harm here Mt my ranch
Longorio sighed. Sand ! hoped fol
a warmer welcome-.-especally since
have done you another favor. Yol
say that hombre who came with me?'
"Yes."
Wei, You would never guess 1t l,
your Jose Sanchez. He was distracted
at the news of his Cousins murder
and came to me"
Ills cousin was not murdered"
Exactly! told hin so when
learned the facts. said to him, Jose
my boy, 1t Is better TO do nothing thar
toact wrongly. Go back to your beau
tlful employer, be loyal to her, ant
think no more about this unhappy nf
fair 1t required some argument,
assure you, but--he IL here. He CONES
to ask yonr forgiveness and to resum,
his position Of trust"
4 am glnd to have him back IL HI
feels TINT way. have nothing what
ever to forgive him."
"rhcn he will be Happy, and hay,
served you. That is the end Of thu