The Lamar register., 1917-10-24

This Is the Man | Love-the Only
Man."
over, paralyzed momentarlly by sur
prise and horror his eyes troubled he
swuycd as II his sight had blurred.
81 said I'd never marry you" she
rushed on, vlbrantly. "This Is the man
love-the only man. Yes, and I've
learned the truth about you. l know
who killed Mr.. Austin"
Longorio did very unexpected
thing then; slowly, unconsciously, as If
the movement were the result Of half
forgotten training, he crossed himself
But now from the hall ut his back
came the pounding of boot-heels, and a
half-dozen painting troopers tumbled
through the door. He waved them back
and out into the hall again.
Father O'Malley who had been try
ing to make himself heard. stepped in
front of the general and said. solemn
Iy: Take care what you do, Longorio
I have married these people, and you
can't undo what l have done. We are
American citizens. The laws Of clvlli-
zation protect u.s."
The Mexican fought for his voice,
then stammered: "You are my priest;
| brought you here. l offered to marry
her. Now-you force me TO damn my
soul" Turning his eyes wildly upon
Alnire. he shouted: "Too late, eh?
You say am too late! II seems that |
am barely In time"
Dave added his words to the others:
You are ten TO one, but you can't have
her" he cried. defantly. "Jose San
chez confessed TO the murder Of Mr..
Austin, and told how you had got Mrs
Austin to come here The whole thing
is known In Washington and Mexico
City by this time. The newspapers
have It; everybody knows you are
keeping her as your prisoner. and that
l have come for her. II she is harmed
all Mexico. all the world. will know
that you are worse than "A murderer"
Longorio reached behind his back
and slammed the door in the faces Of
his listening men.
"What is this? What did Jose con-
fess2' he inquired, sharply.
"He swenrs you hired him"
"Bahl The word Of "a pelador"
In spite Of the mans contemptuous
tone Dave saw the expression in his
face and made a quick decision
There's limit to what you dare to do,
Longorio. I'm unarmcd; make no re-
sistance, so there is no excuse for vio-
lence. l surrender 10 you, and claim
protection for myself and my wife"
But LongoriO was not TO be tricked.
"GoodI - he cried. triUmphantly. 81
have been looking forward to some
thing like this, and | shall give myself
a great pleasure" He laid hand up
on the door-knob. but before he could
turn ii the Catholic priest had him by
the arm. and with a strength surprising
in one of his stature wrenched him
away. Father O'Malley's face was
white and terrible; his voice was deep
menacing; the hand he raised above
Longorio seemed to brandish a weapon.
Stop" he Numbered. Are you
madmanI Destruction hangs over you;
destruction of body and soul. You dare
not separate those whom God hath
joined"
God Godl the other shrilled. 81
don't believe In him. l am II god;
know of no other"
'Blasphemer =" roared the little man.
Listen, then. So surely as you harm
these people, so surely do you kill your
earthly prospects. You, the first man
in Mexico, the dictator indeed Think
what you are doing before 1t Is too late.
Is your dream of greatness only
dream? VIII you sacrifice yourself
and all your aspirations in the heat of
this unholy and impossible passion?
Tonight, now, you must choose whether
you will be famous or infamous, glori-
Gus or shameful, honored or dlshon-
ored Restrain your hatred and con-