Macon beacon., 1917-09-07

hordes and saves the fatherland2 /
am he. Fate points the path of glory
and | am her man OF destiny. You
see, then, what / bring you-power,
position, riches. Riches? Caramba
Wait until my hands are In the treas
ury. | viii load you with gold and
jewels, and I will make you the rich
est woman in the world. Sonora, l
offer you dominion. ! offer you the
presidents palace and Chapultepec.
And with all that, l offer you such
passionate love as no woman of history
ever possessed"
He paused, spent by the force of his
own intensity; it was plain that he ex-
pected an immediate surrender.
AaIre's lips parted in the faintest
OF mocklng smiles. "You have great
confidence in yourself" she said.
"Ycs. know myself as no one
knows me-"
"Why do you think care for your
Longorios eyes opened. His ex-
preston plainly showed that he could
not imagine any woman in her senses
failing TO adorc'hlm.
Don't you take much for granted?'
AlGlre insisted.
The Mexican shook his head. Then
his face lightened. "Ah Now l see.
Your modeSty forbids you to acknowl-
edge your love-is that it? Well, know
that you admire me, for | can see 1t.
All women admire me, and they oil
end by loving me-" His chest arched
imperceptiby; with a slender finger
he delicately smOothed his black eye
brows. Alaire felt a wild impulse to
laugh but was glad she had subdued
It when he continued. 81 am impetuous,
but impetuOsity has made me what
am. l act, and then mold fate to suit
my own ends. Opportunity has de-
livered to me my hearts desire, and
will not be cheated out of it. Among
the men l brought with me to La
Fcrla Is priest. He is dirty, for l
caught him as he was fleeing toward
the border; but he Is priest. and he
will marry us tonight"
Alaire managed to gasp, Surely you
are not In earnest"
Indeed I am! That Is why I insist.
ed that you dine with me this evening
| cannot waste more time here, for
necessity calls me away. You shall go
rs my wife"
"Do you think I would remarry on
the very day I find myself widow?'
"The world will never know"
"You dare to say thatw Her tone
was one Of disgust, of finality. II Won
der how l have listened to so much. II
is horrible"
"You are still little hysterical, and
you eXaggerate. If had more time
I could afford to wait" He ogled her
with his luminous gaze. II would let
YOU play with me to your hearts con
tent and exercise your power until you
tired and were ready to surrender"
Alaire raised her head proudly, her
nostrils dilated, her eyes ablaze with
hostility. This Is very humlliating
but you force me to tell you that hate
you"
Longorio was incredulous rather
than offended. He drew himself I'D tC
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, it was Will
an expression and with tone of sucf
loathing that his yellow face paled
Your conceit Is insufferable," sht
hroathed.
After brief struggle with himself
the Mexican cried, hoarsely: II vii
not be refused. You wish me to tam,
You, eh? Good, You have found you
master. Make your choice, then
Which shall it be, surrender or-com
| pulsion?"
$50! You have been lying, as
thought. CompulSion! Now the rea
Longorio speaks"
!. He flung up his hands as If to war,
off her fury. "No! Have l not mad
myself clear? | shall embrace yo
only with the arms of q husband, 70
this Is not the passion of a moment
/ but of a lifetime, and l have myself t
consider The wife of Mexico'S mex
president must be above reproach
there must be no scandal, no secret
hidden away for enemies TO uneartl
She must stand before the people q
a perfect woman; she must lend pre-:
tige to his name. When | speak {
conpulSion, tH-n, I mean the right {
la husband"
Natre uttered an exclamation of 81
gust and turned away, but he inte
ccntcd her saying: "You cannot hol
mo ut bay. Ii /. destiny, You shall +
mine tonight, Think moment! W
'aro alone i'm tAe heart of countr
= lacking In every law but mine. Yol
| friends do not know where YOU ar
, and, even if they knew, they could II,
: help you. Yopr nations protest wou
} avail nothing, outside Of these wal
. are enemies who will not let you lea,
. tins house cxcept under the prote
= ZION Of my name
= Then | shay ls'er leave it." 81
: told him.
For the first time Longorio spol
= roughly: Il to,' patience. In Coo
e name have ! not waited long enougI