Macon beacon., 1917-07-06
CHAPTER xII-Contlnued.
q.

NnAF En- NiI-OontinuSu.
70
Paloma was gone with rush. In
O moment she returned, ready for the
trip, and with her she carried a rife
nearly as long as herself.
In offering to lend hand in this
difficulty, Alaire had acted largely
upon impulse, and, now that she took
time to think over the affair more
coolly, she asked herself what pos
sible business of hers it could be. For
her part. PalOma was troubled by no
uncertainty of purpose; it did not
seem to her at all absurd to 60 to
her fathers assistance, and she was
so eager to be up and away that the
prospect of a long evenings wait made
her restless.
AS usual, Ed Austin had not taken
the trouble to inform his wife Of his
whereabouts; Alaire was relieved to
find that he was out, and she decided
that he had probably stayed at Tad
Lewis Tor supper.
The women were seated on the
porch after their meal, when up the
driveway rode two horsemen. A mo-
ment later tall figure mounted the
steps and came forward with out
stretched hand, crying in Spanish:
"Senora! l surprise you. Well, I
told you some day should give my
self this great pleasure. l am here !"
General Longorio! But-what a
Burprise!" Alaire's amazement was
naive, her face was that Of startled
schoolgirl. The Mexican warmly kissed
her fingers, then turned to meet Palo-
ma Jones. AS he bowed, the women
exchanged glances over his head. Miss
Jones looked frankly frightened, and
her expression plainly asked the mean
Ing of LongOrio's presence. To her
self, she was wondering If it could
have anything to DO with that expedi-
ton to the Romero cemetery. She
tried to compose herself, but appre-
hension flooded her.
Alaire, meanwhile, her composure
recovered, was standing slim and mo-
tionless beside her chair, inquiring
smoothly, "What brings you into Tex
as at such time, my dear general?
This is quite extraordinary"
"Need you ask me?" cried the man.
II would ride through thousand per-
ils, sonora. God In his graciousness
placed that miserable village, Romero,
close to the gates of heaven. Why
should not presume to look through
them briefly? came two days ago, and
every hour since then have turned
my eyes in the direction of Las Pal
mas. At last could wait no longer"
Paloma gasped and Alaire stepped
through the French window at her
back and into the brightly lighted
living room. Paloma Jones followed
as If In trance.
Longorio's bright eyes took swift
inventory of his surroundings; then he
sighed luxuriously.
"How fine!" said he. "How beauti-
full! A nest for a bird of paradise y
"Don't you consider this rather a
mad adventure" Alaire insisted.
Suppose it should become known that
you crossed the river?"
Longorio snapped his fingers. II an
swer to no one; I am supreme. But
your interest warns my heart; 1t
thrills me to think you care for my
safety. Thus am repaid for my days
of misery"
"You surely did not"-Paloma swal.
lowed hard--"come alone"
"No. took measures to protect my
self In case of eventualities."
"How?"
"By bringing with me some Of my
troopers. Oh, they are peaceable fell
lows!" he declared, quickly; "and they
are doubtless enjoying themselves
with our friend and sympathizer, Mo
raleS."
"Where" asked Alaire.
81 left them at your pumping plant,
senora." Paloma Jones sat down heav-
fly In the nearest chair. "But you need
have no uneasiness."
Alaire answered sharply, ut was a
very reckless thing to do, and you
must not remain here"
Longorio drew his evenly arched
brows together in plalntive frown,
saying, you are inhospitableW Then
his expression lightened. "Or is It,"
he asked-"is it that you are indeed
apprehensive for me?"
Alaire tried to speak quietly. ~
should never forgive myself if you
came to harm here at my ranch"
Longorio sighed. "And l hoped for
A warmer welcome-especially since ]