The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1917-07-05
CHAPTER XiI-Continued.

-12-
iNnlOma was gone with Il rush. Ii
a aaeAnent she returned. ready for tn
trip, and with her she carried n rll,
nearly as long us herself
IN Offering to lend hand In thi.
difficulty. AIare had acted largcl,
npon impulse, and, now that she tool
tive to think over the affair more
conliy, she asked herself what pos
Silise business Of hers it could be. FOl
her part. Palomn was troubled by ne
uncertainty OF purpose; 1t did no
SetMn to her ut all absurd to go tt
her fathers assistance, and she wa.
so eager to be up and away that tn,
prospect Of Il long evenings wait mad,
her restless
Az usual Ed Austin had not takcr
The trouble to inform his wife of his
Whcrrabouts: Alnirr was relieved Ia
'tnd that he was out, ana shr decided
timt he had probably stayed ut Tad
Lewis for supper,
The women were seated on the
porch after their meal, when up the
driveway rode two horSrmcn. A mo
mrnt iutcr Il tall figure mounted tho
steps and came forward with out
stretched hand, crying in Spanish:
"Scnora! surprise YOU. Wen, I
told you some day should give my
sell this great pleasure. am here !"
General Longorio! But--whnt
surprise" Alnirc's nmnzrmrnt was
naive, her face was that OF startled
schoolgirl. The Mexican warmly kissed
MeT fingers, then turned to meet pnlo-
ma Jones. AS he bowed, the women
exchanged glnnces over his head. Miss
Jones looked frankly frightened. and
ker expression plainly asked the mean
Ing of Longorio's presence. TO her
atG. SIZE wns wondering If 1t could
hnre anything to do with that cxpcdi.
lion 10 the Romero cemetery. She
tried to compose herself, but appre-
henslon flooded her.
Alatre. meanwhile. her composurc
recovered was standing slim and mo-
noaiess beside her chair, lnuuirinr
sraecthly, what brings you into Tex
es at such time. my dear general?
Hhis is quite extraordinary"
Need you ask mc?" cried the man.
4 would ride through q thousand per-
AIS, scnora. God In his graciousness
placed that miserable village, Romero,
iStse to the gates Of heaven. Why
should not presume to look through
!'hem briefly? came two days ago, and
srery hour since then I have turned
HV eyes In the direction Of Las Pal
INNS. AT last I could wait no longer"
faloma gnspcd and Alaire stepped
Through the French window ut her
',%t& and into the brightly lighted
living room. Paloma Jones followed
us If In n trance.
iongorios bright eyes took a swift
Inventory OF his surroundings then he
sighed luyuriously.
How fine!" said he. "How beautl-
MI! A nest for bird Of paradise I"
i'ont you consider this rather n
iihd adventurc?" Alaire insisted.
suppose 1t should become known that
'Spa crossed the rivcr?"
hongorio snapped his fingers. "I an
s"er 10 no one; I am supreme. But
s.h.r interest warns my heart; 1t
im'i's me to think You care for nv
Sihe'y. Thus am repaid for my days
aH misery"
You surely did not"--paloma swal-
fsScd hnrd-"come alonc?"
no took measures to protect my
'SeN IN case of evcntunlitics."
"II0w?"
ny bringing With me some of NV
tnDopers. Oh, they are ncocn,hlo foi.
AD''St' ne declared, quickly "and thew
are doubtless enjoying themselves
with our friend and sympnth,zcr AIo.
En9es."
~Where?" asked Alaire.
81 left them ut your pumn,ng n,ort
fpnora." Paloma Jones sat down heov.
3ly In the nearest chair. "But Won neod
isase no uneaslness."
Asaire answered sharply, 1T wos %
Sagy reckless thing to do, and vo,,
lnnsi not remain here"
aongorlo drew his evenly arched
ofDws together in a plaintive frown
shUaag, "You are inhospitable I" Ther
sas expression lightened. "Or is it,
as aaked--"is 1t that you are indeed
lnprehensive for me?"
Asaire tried to speak quietly. /"
humid never forgive myself If yor
aias to harm here at my ranch"
Asngorlo sighed. "And I hoped foi
warmer welcOme--espaciall since I