The Snowflake herald., 1917-09-07

discover the concern in Paloma's eyes
Alaire told her story quickly. "Mr
Law must be warned right away" she
added, 'for the man is capable of any
thing"
Paloma nodded. 'sDave told us how
he had killed PanfilO-" She hesi-
tated, and then cried, impulsively
Mrs. Austin, I'm going to confess
something got to tell somebody
or I'll burst. 1 was walking the floor
when you came. Well, dad and Dave
have completely lost their wits. They
have gone across the river-to get Ri
cardO Guzman's body"
"Whatr Alaire stared at the girl
uncomprehendingly. my dear girl,
aren't you dreaming?"
81 thought I must be when 1 heard
about it. Dad wouldn't have told me
at all, only he thought | ought to know
in case anything happens to him." Pa
loma's breath failed her momentarily.
'They left an hour ago in my machine,
with two Mexicans to help them. They
intend to cross at your pumping plant
as soon as it gets dark, and be back
by midnight-that is, if they ever get
back"
Paloma's face was pale, her eyes
were strained and tragic. She made
hopeless gesture, and Alaire won
dered momentarily whether the girls
anxiety was keenest for the safety of
her father or-the other?
"Can't we prevent them from go
ing?" she inquired.
"What can we do? They'll go, any
how, regardless of what we say"
swell, we could be there-yOu and
T."
Paloma agreed eagerly. "Yesl May
be we could even help them if they got
into trouble"
"Come, then! Well have supper at
Las Palmas and slip down to the river
and wait"
Paloma was gone with a rush. In
q moment she returned, ready for the
trip, and with her she carried rifle
nearly as long as herself.
In offering to lend a hand in this
difficulty, Alaire had acted largely
upon impulse, and, now that she took
time to think over the affair more
coolly, she asked herself what pos
sible business of hers it could be. For
her part. Paloma was troubled by no
uncertainty of purpose; it did not
seem to her at all absurd to go to
her fathers assistance, and she was
so eager to be up and away that the
prospect of a long evenings wait made
her restless.
AS usual, Ed Austin had not taken
the trouble to inform his wife Of his
whereabouts; Alaire was relieved to
find that he was out, and she decided
that he had probably stayed at Tad
Lewis for supper.
The women were seated on the
porch after their meal, when up the
driveway rode two hOrsemen. A mo-
ment later a tall figure mounted the
steps and came forward with out
stretched hand, crying in Spanish
"Senora! l surprise you. Well,
told you some day / should give my
self this great pleasure. / am here !"
General Longorio But-what a
surprised" Alaire's amazement was
naive; her face was that of a startled
schoolgirl. The Mexican warmly kissed
her fingers, then turned to meet Palo-
ma Jones. AS he bowed, the women
exchanged glances over his head. Miss
Jones looked frankly frightened, and
her expression plainly asked the mean
ing of Longorio's presence. To her
self, she was wondering if 1t could
have anything to do with that expedi-
ton to the Romero cemetery. She
tried to compose herself, but appre-
hension flooded her.
Alaire, meanwhile, her composure
recovered, was standing slim and mo-
tiOnless beside her chair, inquiring
smoothly, "What brings you into Tex
as at such a time, my dear general? :?
This is quite extraordinary"
''Need you ask me?" cried the man.
II would ride through a thousand per-
lis, sonora. God in his graciOusnesS
placed that miserable village, Romero.
close to the gates of heaven. Why
should l not presume to look through
them briefly? came two days ago, and
every hour since then l have turned
my eyes in the direction of Las Pal
mas. At last I could wait no longer"
Paloma gasped and Alaire stepped
through the French window at her
back and into the brightly lighted
living room. Paloma Jones followed
as if in a trance.
LOngorio's bright eyes took a swift
inventory of his surroundings; then he
sighed luxuriously.
"How fine!" said he "How beauti-
full A nest for a bird of paradise |"
Don't you consider this rather q
mad adventure?" Alaire insisted.