The Lamar register., 1917-10-17
cawuA y hsp- . E-..As

but you force me to tell you that l hate
you"
Longorio was incredulous rather
than offended. He drew himself up to
his full height and smiled, saying:
THAT is impossible" Then, Ignoring
her impatience: Come! You cannot
deceive me. The priest is waiting"
When Alaire spoke next. 1t was with
an expression and with tone of such
loathing that his yellow face paled
''Your conceIt is insufferable," she
breathed.
After a brief struggle with himself
the Mexican cried, hoarsely: II will
not be refused. You wish me to tame
you, eh7 Goodl You have found your
master. Make your choice. then.
Which shall 1t be. surrender or-com-
pulsion7"
"Sol You have been lying, as 1
thought. Compulslonl Now the real
LongOrio speaks"
He flung up his hands as If to ward
OF her fury. "No! Have not made
myself clear? l shall embrace you
only with the arms of a husband, for
this is not the passion of a moment.
but OF lifetime, and have myself to
consider. The wife of MexicO's next
president must be above reproach;
there must be no scandal, no secrets
hidden away for enemies to unearth.
She must stand before the people as
a perfect woman she must lend pres
tige to his name. When 1 speak of
compulsion, then, mean the right of,
a husband"
Alaire uttered an exclamation of dis
gust and turned away. but he inter
cepted her. saying: You cannot hold
me at bay. 1t is destiny. You shall be
mine tonight. Think moment, We
are alone In the heart of a country
lacking In every law but mine. Your
friends do not know where you are,
and, even II they knew. they could not
help you. Your nations protest would
avail nothing. Outside of these walls
are enemies who will not let you leave
this house except under the protec-
tion OF my name."
Then / shall never leave IT," she
told him.
For the first time Longorlo spoke
roughly: 81 lose patience. In Gods
Ny strength is gone" Impulsiyely he
half encircled her with his thin arms.
but she seemed armored with ice, snd
he dropped them. She could hear him
grind his teeth. 81 dare not lay hands
upon you" he chattered. Angel Of
my dreams, l am faint with longing.
IO rove you ana yet to be denied; to
feel myself afiame and yet to see you
cold; to be halted at the very doors
Of Paradisel What torture l'
The fellows self-control in the
midst OF his frenzy frightened Alaire
more than did his widest avowals; 1t
was In something OF panic that she
said:
"One moment you tell me am safe.
the next you threaten me. You say
am free, and yet you cOerce me. Prove
your love. Let me GO"
mo- mol 1 shall call the priest"
Longorio turned toward the door.
but halfway across the floor he was
halted by a woman's shrek which Is
sued from somewhere inside the house.
II was repeated. There was an out
burst In a masculine voice, then the
patter Of footsteps approaching down
the tiled hallway. Dolores burst into
her mistress presence, her face
blanched. her hair disordered. She
flung herself into Alaire's arms, cry
ing:
"senoral Save me! Gods curse
on the rufian. Oh"
'Doloresi" Alalre exclaimed. what
has happened1"
Longorio demanded irritably: ayes.
Why are you yelling like thls?"
"A man Seel One of those dirty
peladors. Look where he tore my
dress l warned him. but he was like
a tiger. Benlto will kill him when he
learns"
"Calm yourself. Speak senslbly.
Tell me what happened"
"One Of those miserable soldiers
who came today-plgw Dolores was
shaking, her voice was shrill. "He fol-
lowed me about like a cat, purrlng and
grinning and saying the most horrible
things. Just now, when l went to your
room, he was waiting in the darkness,
and he seized me. Ny money"
"a soldIer7 One Of my menT Lon
gorio was incredulous.
Aiairs turned unol him With blaz-