Crossville chronicle. [volume] (Crossville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-05-23

heart. AS great patrlOt as l an,
I could be faithleSs to my country for
one smile from the woman ! adore"
Alaire did not color under the ardent
glance that went with this declaration.
She deliberately changed the subject.
This morning while we were in the
office of the jefe de armas." she said,
81 saw n poor woman with a baby
she was scarcely more than a child
herself-whOSe husband is in prison.
Every day she comes to plead with the
jefe de armas for her husbands life.
But he will not see her. and the SOL
diers only laugh at her tears"
"a common story! These women
and their babies are very annoying"
observed the general.
"She says that her husband is to
be shot"
Every likelyl Our prisons are full.
Doubtless he. is bad man."
Cant you do something's
"Eh?" Longorn, lifted his brOws In
the frankest inqmry.
THAT poor girl with her little. bare.
brOwn-eyed baby was pitiful.' Alaire
leaned forward with an eurnest appeal
in her face and her host smiled.
$50? That is how 1t is, eh? What ia
her name?
"Inez Garcia. The husbands name
Is Juan"
"Of course. These peladors are oil
Juans. You would like to appear as
an angel of mercy. Ell? Your heart Is
touched"
Deeply"
"Bastante! There is no more to be
said" LOngOriO rose and went into
the next room. where were certain
members of his staff. After time he
returned with paper In his hand. and
this he laid before Alaire. 1t was an
order for the release of Juan Garcia.
1.-THE salvo conductO which will permit
Juan and his Inez and their JuanitO to
return to their farm Is being made
out" he explained. Are you salts
fied?"
Alaire looked up wonderingly. Il am
deeply grateful. You Overwhelm me.
You area strange man."
"Dear lady, live to serve you. Your
wish is my law. How can l prove 1t
further"
The strained, throbbing silence that
followed LOngOriO's last words did
more to brighten the woman than had
his most ardent advances. He would
have fingered indefinitely over the
table, but Alaire soon rose to 60. ex-
planning:
II must finish my disagreeable task
now, so that can go home tomorrow"
Tomorrow her host cried In dis
may. mo, no! You must walt"
my husband Is expecting me-"
This statement was blow; 1t
seemed to crush LongOriO, who could
only look his keen distress.
AS they stepped out into the street,
in the gutter stood Inez Garcia with
her baby in her arms, and beside her
the ragged figure of young man.
evidently her Juan. The fellow was
emaciated, his face was gaunt and
worn and frightened. his feet were
bare even of sandals, the huge peaked
straw hat which he clutched over his
breast was tattered. and yet In his eye
there was light.
They had waited patiently. these
Garcias, heedful of LOngOrio's orders.
and now they burst into a torrent Of
thanks. They flung themselves to
their knees and kissed the edge Of
Alaire's dress. General LOngOriO en-
joyed this scene tremendously and his
beaming eyes expressed the hope that
Alaire was fully satisfied with the mo-
ment.
"They look very poor" said Alaire.
and opened her purse; but Longorio
would not permit her to give. Extract
ing a large roll Of paper money from
his own pocket, he tossed 1t, without
counting, to Juan, and then when the
onlOokers applauded, he loudly called
to one of his officers, saying:
"Oiga! Give these good friends OF
mine two horses, and see that they are
well cared for. Now, JUAN" he adj
dressed the dpzed cOuntryman, II have
one order for you: Every night of your
life you and your pretty wife must say
prayer for the safety and happiness
of this beautiful lady who has induced
me to spare you. Do you prOmiseT'
1--WE promise! eagerly cried the
pair.
Good! See that you keep your
word. On the day that you forget fol-
the first time Luis LongoriO will come
to see you. And then what!" He
scOwled ut them fiercely.
1--WE will not forget" the Garcias
chorused.