The Lamar register., 1917-10-24
e~v- b k~ HA-

hands. She looked up again quickly.
however, and her cheeks were white.
Then he won't spare you, Dave" She
choked for an instant. "We must get
away before he comes. There must be
some way of escape. Think T.
''Pm pretty tired to think. I'm pretty
near played out" he confessed.
They're watching me. but they'd
let you 60"
Nov that I'm here I'm going to stay
until"
She interrupted, crying his name
loudly, ''Dave"
Eyes. What is itf'
"waItl Let me think" She closed
her eyes; her brows drew together as
II in the labor of concentration. When
she lifted her lids her eyes were alight,
her voice was eager. 81 know how. l
see 1t. He won't dare But you must
do what l tell you"
"Of course"
"No questions. Underestimate
When he nodded impatlently she ran
to the door and. finging 1t open, called
down the hall:
"Fatherl Father O'Maliey Quick 7"
Then she summoned Dolores.
The priest answered; he hurried
from his room and, with a dazed lack
OF comprehension, acknowledged his
swift Introduction to Dave. Alaire was
keenly alive and vibrant with purpose
now. Dolores, too, came running, and
while the men were exchanging greet
ings her mistress murmured something
in her ear. then hastened her depar-
ture with quick push. Turning upon
the others, Alaire explained:
i've sent for some OF the women,
and they'll be here in n minute. Fa-
ther. this man has come for me. He
loves me. VIII you marry US before
Longorio arrivesT
"Alaire!" Dave exclaimed.
She stilled him with a gesture.
"Quicki VIII your"
Father OMalley was bewildered- 81
don't understand" he expostulated.
"Nor l." echoed Dave.
''You don't need to understand. l
know what I'm doing. I've thought Of
a way to save us ALL"
An incoherent refusal was upon his
lips, but Alaire's face besought him; 1t
was shining with a strange. new ecs-
"
deny her. OF what her plan consisted
he had only the dImmest Idea, but he
assured himself that 1t could by no
possibility succeed. After all, what did
1t matter7 he asked himself. They were
trapped. This might serve, somehow.
to cheat Longorlo, and-Alaire would
be his wife.
"Very WELL" he stammered, weakly.
''What are you thinking OFF,
II haven't thought 1t all out yet,
but"
At that moment Dolores returned,
bringing with her the three black
haired, black-shawled house servants,
bundling them through the door and
ranging them along the wall.
Father O'Malley's face was puck
cred; he said, hesitatlngly: MY dear
madam, this isn't regular; you are not
Catholics. How can bless your"
"You can marry US legally. just the
same, can't your" Alaire was breath
ing rapidly, and some part OF her eager
ness began to thrill her hearers.
"Oh yes, but"
'Then marry us. And make haste
please Pleased"
Law nodded. He could not speak,
for his mouth was dry. His heart was
beating violently; his temples were
pounding; all the blood Of his body
seemed centered in his head.
Before the eyes of the four wonder
Ing women Father O'Malley married
them. 1t seemed to AlaIre that he
would never reach the end, although, in
tact, he stumbled through the cere-
mony swiftly. Alaire clipped his last
words short by crying:'
Tell these people so that they'll un-
derstand what 1t all means. Tell them
to remember they have seen mar
riage by the church"
The priest did as he was directed,
and his audience signlfied their under
standing. Then Dolores led them out.
CHAPTER XIII.