The Snowflake herald., 1917-11-09
CHAPTER XIII.
The Man of Destinv.

ambitions. He thinks this war is his
great opportunity, and he means to be
president-he's sure of it. He loves
me, but he loves himself better, I'm
sure. Now, don't you see? He'll have
to choose one or the other"
Father O'Malley did not appear to
appreciate the full force of this rea-
sOning "My DEAR" he said, gravely,
she can make you widow again. In
such times as these men are savages"
"Oh, but that's not ALL" Alaire
turned to her newly made husband.
'They let you in, and they'll let you
out again-if you go quickly, before
it's known what we've DONE"
Dave stared at her in bewilderment.
81? go, and-leave yOu? He seemed
doubtful of her sanity.
eyes," When he laughed shortly,
Alaire cried: "Dave, you must! Don't
you see what I'm driving at? If he
can't marry me, if he finds you're gone
and he can't lay hands on you, what
can he do but let me go? Dave dear,
for my sake, for the sake of us BOTH
you're excited" he told her, and
drew her to himself gently
"Please Please!" she implored.
"You don't know that man." said
Father O'Malley, with conviction.
But Alaire insisted, half Historically
now: 81 do; that's just it, l do know
him. He is planning the greatest things
for himself, his head is in the clouds,
and he daren't do the things he used
to do. That's why | called in those
women as witnesses. He can't put
them out of the way. With Dave gone
In be safe. He can't ignore our mar
riage. But Otherwise There's no
telling what he may do. Why, he'll kill
l'ou, Dave, as he killed Ed" She up.
turned a face eloquent with pleading.
Wont you do this for me?"
mol" Law declared, firmly. "YOG
wouldn't ask it if you were in your
senses. Get me a gun and I'll shoot
my way out. Well go until they stop
us. But don't ask me to leave you"
She searched his face eagerly, pite-
ously, then with a quivering sigh re.
laxed her tension. "Then we've only
made matters worse. You've spoiled
our only chance"
Father O'Malley, who had been lost
in thought, spoke up again: perhaps
you will let me try my wits. But first,
dO l understand that it was he who ef-
fected the death Of-Mr. Austin?"
Dave recOunted as coherently as he
g ~
and told how he had learned, through
Jose, of LOngOrios intentions. AS the
priest listened spot of color grew in
his cheeks his eyes glowed with indig-
nation. He was about to make known
what was in his mind when Alaire
raised her hand and in a strained
whisper exclaimed:
"'Sh-h! Listen I"
The heavy door of the hacienda
creaked, a quick tread sounded on the
tiles, the door to the living room was
flung open, and LOngorio entered. He
was hot and dusty from his ride, but
with lovers impetuOsity he had made
straight for this lighted room.
For the briefest instant he balanced
himself just inside the portal, and the
smile remained fixed upon his lips.
Then his eyes became ringed with
white and he made a swift, catlike
movement Of retreat. Plainly this was
the supremest surprise of his lifetime,
and he seemed to doubt his senses. But
he recovered quickly. Thrusting his
head forward he demanded:
''What is this? You-and youY He
stared from Dave to the priest, then
back again.
They all spoke at once, but he heard
only Alaire's words:
''He came to find me-"
Pancho appeared in the doorway be-
hind LOngorio, saying, 81 heard you
ride up sir, so I ran to tell you about
this fellow"
But the general cut him short "CaIl
your men, quick" he cried in a voice
that sent the soldier leaping back into
the night.
Alaire was clinging to Dave, merely
clutching him the tighter when he tried
to unclasp her hold. Her movement
into the shelter of his rivals arms in
furiated LongOrio, who uttered an ex-
clamation and fumbled uncertainty
with his holster. But his fingers were
clumsy. He could not take his eyes
from the pair, and he seemed upon the
point of rushing forward to tear them
apart.
Don't touch her! Don't" he be-
gan, cursing in a high-pitched voice.
God What a reckoningp' Then he
stamped his feet, he wrung his hands,
he called shrilly at the top of his voice:
Lieutenant! Ho, Pancho! You fell
lows! Quickly!" Under the stress Of
his excitement the feminine side of his
character betrayed itself.