The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-05-12
CHAPTER V-continued.


Il was coming to that. Your hus-
band, sonora, is an active Candele-
rista.'
For moment Alaire was at loss;
then she replied with some spirit: eve
are two people, he and I. La Feria be-
longs to me-"
Nevertheless his conduct is regret
table," Longorio went on. Probably
evil men have lied TO him."
For the first time Dolores stirred.
She had watched her countryman with
a peculiar fascination Now she said,
as if freed from a spell:
'Pah! Nobody pays heed to Senior
Ed. We do not consider him."
Alaire turned upon her with a sharp
exclamation, conscious meanwhile that
the woman's tone, even more than her
words, had enlightened LongOrio to
some extent. His lifted brOws were
eloquent of surprise and curiosity, but
he held his tongue.
Sam l to understand, then. that you
rob me because of my husbands ac-
tion?" Alaire asked.
mo. ] shall help" LongOrio beamed
enthusiastically. at shall be the OBJ
ject on my life to serve you, and you
and I shall arrange this matter salts
factorily. / have influence, believe me.
Duty calls me to Nuevo Pueblo, and
you shall return with me as the guest
of my government" He rose to his
feet. but his eagerness soon gave place
to disappointment.
'AThank you" said Alaire, "but
must first go to La Ferfa and get all
the facts"
"Senora! 1t is a wretched journey.
See !" He waved a contemptuous ges-
ture at the car, crowded to congestion.
''There is no food; you have no one to
wait upon you. In my company you
will be safe. Upon my honor, you will
enjoy the highest courtesy"
"Of course But 1 must go on. !
have Dolores and Jose to look after
me-" Alaire indicated Sanchez, who
had edged his way very close and now
stood with admiring> eyes fixed upon
his hero.
"Yes, mi general" Jose exclaimed.
eagerly, 81 am here"
Longorio scrutinized the horse
breaker critically. ''Your name is-?''
"Jose Sanchez
"'YOu look like q brave fellow"
Jose swelled at this praise, and no
doubt would have made suitable an
swer. but his employer held out her
hand. and General LOngorio bent over
1t. raising 1t to his lips. He called one
of his subordinates closer and ordered
that lieutenant and six soldiers be
detached to act as an escort to Mrs.
Austin'S party. 'Senoras the hours
will drag until 1 may see you
again and be of further service Mean
while 1 shall be tortured with radiant
dreams. Go with Godi" For q second
time he bowed and kissed the hand he
held, then, taking Jose Sanchez init
mately by the arm, he turned to the
door.
Dolores collapsed into her seat with
an exclamation. "Caramba! The man
is a demon! And such eyes. Uf!'
Dolores was interrupted by Longo-
rios voice beneath the open window.
The general stood, cap in hand, hold
ing up to Alaire a solitary wildf1ower
which he had plucked beside the track.
''Seei' he cried. at is the color of
your adorable eyes-blue like the
sapphire gen." He placed the deli
cate bloom in Alaire's fingers and was
gone.
'Cuidado :" breathed Dolores. There
is blood on 1t; the blood of innocents.
He will burn for a million years in hell,
that man.
Jose Sanchez came blowing into
fnf
Look, sonora ~ he cried. Look what
the general give me-" and he proudly
displayed Longorio's service revolver.
around Jose's waist was the cartridge
belt and holster that went with the
weapon. with his own hands he
buckied it about me, and he said.
Jose. something tells me you are a
devil for bravery. Guard your mistress
with your life, for if any mishap be-
falls her I shall cut out your heart
with my own hands, Those were his
very words. sonora Caramba! There
is a man to die for"
Nor was this the last of I,ongorio's
dramatic surprises. Shortly after the
train had got under way the Heutenan,
In command of Alaire's guard brought
her small package, saying:
The general commanded me to hand
you this. with his deepest regard. y
Alaire accepted the object curiousIy.
1t was small and heavy and wrapped
in several leaves torn from notebook
and It proved to be nothing less than
the splendid diamond-and-ruby ring
she had admired
-God protect US. nowr' murmured
dolores. crossing herself devoutly.
CHAPTER vi.