The Lamar register., 1917-10-10

Will frame the thon~hts in my mind.
Tv ras ION IS so dcep and so sacred
hnt I would not be content with less
than all of you. I must have You all.
and so I wait trembling. 1 say this
so badly Tint / doubt If you under
stand. Listen then: 20 possess you
by force would be-well, as If 1 sacked
a cathedral Of Its golden images and
expected to guin heaven by clutching
the cross in my arms. Sonora, In
you I see the priceless Jewel of my
love. which I shall wear to dazzle the
world, and without which shall de-
stroy myself. Now let me tell you
what I can offer you, what setting /
can build for this treasure. Marriage
with Luis Longorio-"
AIalre could not control n start.
As If quickencd by his intensity, the
man read her thought. "You did not
imagine that I offered you anything
less?"
"What was to think? Your repu-
tatlon-"
blood of my heart" !" breathed the
general. "Sol That is what you meant
moment ago. That is why you re-
fuse my embraces. No, no! Other
women have feared me, and I have
laughed ia their hair as they tore at
my arms. but you-you will be my
wife. and all Mexico shall bow at your
feet" He checked her denial with n
gesture. "Wait until I tell you the
vision I have seen during these days
Of despair. 7 see Mexico made whole
by my hands; n land of peace and
plenty; people with one name upon
their lirs-the name of Longorlo the
Dcliverer, ana you as the first lady
OF them all. You know me for a man
of trc-eeuIous ability in every line.
| Well I know myself, too. 1 nave meas
ured myself carefully, and I have no
weakness. There is no other like me.
rancho Gomez? Bah! lie is red
handed bandit Of no culture. Can
| deicria. his chief2 The idol Of the ig-
norant and dreamer Of no force.
PotOsi? He is president today, but
| what of tomorrow? Those who sur
round him are weaklings, and he
stumblps toward oblivion. Who will
1 succeed him? Who will issue from
| the coming struggle as the dominant
| figure OF Mexico? Who but that mill
/ tary genius who checks the Yankee
( hordes and saves the fatherland? 1
/ am he. Fate points the path of glory
/ and I am her man Of destiny. You
/ see, then, what l bring you-power,
| position, riches. Riches? Caramba
1 Walt until my hands are in the treas
ury. I viii load you with gold and
/ Jewels, and I viii make you the rich
/ est woman in the world. Sonora. |
| offer you dominion. I offer you the
/ presidents palace and Chnpultepec.
And with all that, / offer you such
passionate love as no woman Of history
ever possessed"
He paused, spent by the force Of his
own Intensity; it wus plain that he ex-
/ pected an Immediate surrender.
Alalre's lips parted in the faintest
/ OF mocl-ing smiles "You have great
confidence in yourself" she said.
"Yes. know myself rs no one
/ knows me-"
"Why do you think l care for youT'
LonEorio's eyes opened. His e1-
/ preston plainly showed that he could
/ not Imagine amy woman in her senses
failing to adore him.
Don't you take much for grantedf'
Alaire insisted.
The Mexican shook his head Then
| his face liChtenod. "Ahi Now I see.
Your modesty forbids you to ucknowl-
| edge your love-is that it7 Well, I know
I that you admire me, for l can see it,.
] All women admire me. and they all
end by loving me-" His chest arched
/ imperccpubly; with slender finger
he dellcatcly smoothed his black eye
brows. Alaire felt wild impulse 90
laugh. but wHs glad she had subdued
I II when ho c1aJluucd. II am impetuous
but impetu0-i,y has made me what /
am. ! act. and then mold fate TO suit
my own ends. Opportunity has de-
llverod 60 ue my hrlrt's desire, and I
will NOT be cheated out Of It. Among
the men T brought with me to La
Tcria Is o priest He is dirty, for
caught him as hn WAS fleeing toward
the border; but he is a priest, and he
viii marry US tonight"
Alaire managed to gasp. surely you
are NOT iu elruost."
al Iced ami That Is why insist
ed that you dine with me this evening.
I cannot waste more time here. for
T -ars4sifr-. erIIe mo re-ov You shall 20