The Port Gibson reveille., 1917-10-18

Nothing" Dave told her.
AS they climbed the bank and rode
onward into the night she said: "No
matter what happens, dear, / shall be
happy, for at last one Of my dreams
has come true" He reached out and
patted her. you've no Idea what
coward / was until you came. But the
moment saw you all my fears van
.ished. was like a,lost chlld.who sud-
denly sees Its father; In your arms
felt perfectly safe, for the first time In
all my life, 1 think. IL couldn't bear
to 60 on without you, after this"
Dave found nothing to soy; they
rode along side by side for a time ID
a great contentment that required no
speech. Then Alaire asked:
"Dear, have you considered how we
are going to explain our marriageT
"Won't the circumstances explain
it?"
Perhaps. And yet 1t seems ages
since 1 learned-what happened to Ed,
but In reality it's only q few hours.
Won't people talk?"
Dave caught at the suggestion.
see. Then let's keep it secret for the
present"
With q little reckless laugh she con-
fessed, "I-Tm afraid I'll find it diff
cult to be conventional"
"My wife p he cried in sharp agony.
Leaning far out, he encircled her with
his arm; then, half lifting her from
her saddle, he crushed his lips to hers.
1t was his first display of emotion since
Father O'Malley had united them.
There were few villages along the
road they followed, and because OF the
lateness of the hour all were dark,
hence the party passed through WITH
out exciting attention except from an
occasional wakeful dog. But as morn
ing came and the east began to glow
Dave told the priest:
"We've got to hide out during the
day or Wen get into trouble. Besides
these women must be getting hungry,
ST fear there is something feminine
about me-" confessed the little man.
"Tm famished, too"
At the next rancho they came to they
applied for shelter, but we're denied !;
in fact, the owner cursed them so
roundly for being Americans that they
we're glad to ride onward. A mile or
two farther along they met cart the
driver of which refused to answer
their greetings. AS they passed out OF
his sight they saw that he had halted
his lean oxen and was staring after
them curiously. Later, when the sun
was well up and the world had fully
awakened, they deserted mounted
man. evidently a cowboy, riding
through the chaparral. He saw them,
too. and came toward the road, but
after a brief scrutiny he whirled his
horse and galloped of through the cae-
tus, shouting something over his shoul-
der.
'aThis won't do" O'Malley declared,
uneasily. ST don't like the actions OF
these people. Let me appeal to the
next person we meet. can't believe
they all hate u.s."
Soon they came to rise in the rood
and from the crest Of this elevation be
held ahead Of them a small village OF
white houses shining from. the shelter
of a grove. The rancheria was perhaps
two miles away, and galloping toward
II was the vaquerO who had challenged
them.
'That's the Rio Negro crossing
Dave announced. Then spying httle
house squatting a short distance back
from the road, he said: "We'd better
try yonder. If they turn US down wei
have to take to the brush"
OMalley agreed. "Yes, and we havr
no time to lose. That horseman is go
ing to rouse the town. I'm afrdiC
we're-in for it."
Dave nodded silently.
Leaving the beaten path, the refu
gees threaded their way through cac
tus and sage to a gate, entering which
they approached the straw-thatchet
iacaI they had seen. A naked boy baby
watched them draw near, then scuttleC
for shelter, piping an alarm. A mar
appeared from somewhere, at sight o.
whom the priest rode forward with
pleasant greeting. But the fellow wa!
unfriendly. His wife, too, Wmerged from
the dwelling and joined her husband II
warning Father O'Malley away.
"Let me try" Alaire begged, ant
spurred her horse up to the group. Sh'
smiled down at the country people
saying: "We have Travelled lon
way, and we're tired and hungry
Won't you give us. something to ca.
Wen pay you well for your trouble" :"
The man demurred sullenly, and be
gan a refusal: but his wife, after
wondering scrutiny, interrupted Ain
! with d cry. Rushing forward, she too
!. the edge of Alaire's skirt in her hand
and kissed 1t.
"God be praised A mirac,el'' sh
4 exclaimed. "Juan, don't you see? It
: the beautiful sonora for whom we pra
0 every night of our lives. On your knees
t shameless oneI It is she who delivere
q you from the prison"
q Juan stared unbelievingly. then hi
s face changed; his teeth flashed In
t smile. and. sweeping his ut from hi
head, he, too, approached AIatre.
e sTt Isl Sonora. am Juan Carols
e whom you saved. and this is Inez." b
4 declared. aHeaven bless you and fol
give me-"
"Now I knows you." Aiaire Iaughes
e and slipped down from her saddl.
t .aThis is q happy meeting. Sol 70