Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-04-11

moistened his lips. 'L0ngorio would
be crazy to injure You"
Ten minutes passed fifteen. Alaire
leaned. motionless, against the table
Dave paced about, followed by the eyes
of the soldiers. One Of the latter
struck Il match, and In the silence II
sounded like gunshot. Dave started.
at which the soldiers laughed. They
began to talk in nurmurs. The odOI
of cigarette smoke drifted in to the
man and the woman.
Finally the door through which Fa-
ther OAIalley and I.ong0rlo had passed
opened, and the priest emerged. He
was alone. Ills face was flushed and
damp; his eyes were glowing. He
forced the Mexicans out Of his way
and, entering the living room, closed
the door behind him.
L "Well?' his two friends questioned
anXiously.
ave done all I can. The rest Is out
Of our hands," The little man sat
down heavily and mopped his forehead
I what does he say?'
"lle lltl Inc To come here and wait
l.neyer saw a man SO torn, so dis.
tmsrt, d."
~Then he is waver'ng. Oh-h ~ Alalre
clasped her hands IL thanksgiving, but
the father cautioned her
Don't be too sanguine. He Is not
afraid of consequences. He appears to
/ have no conscience. He Is without
mercy and, seems lost to shame. have
never met a man quite like him. DO
you know what he feels at this mo-
lnent? Chagrin. Yes, modification
raised to the highest pitch. and sort
of stupefaction that you sholfld prefer
another man to him. He can't under
stand your lack of taste" Father
O'Malley smiled family
Connected IDIOT" Dave growled.
"His humiliation kills him. When
saw that II was useless to appeal to
him on moral grounds and that threats
were unayaiing, | took another cout Sc.
! Something gave me insight into his
mind. and the power to talk as have
never talked before. All in fash
saw the mans soul laid bare before me
and-I think ! played upon 1t with
some cunning. | don't remember all
said, for was inspired, but appealed
20 his vanity and to his conceit, and as
! went along | impressed upon him
over and over, the fact that the worlc
knows we are here and that 1t trusts
him. He aspires to the presidency; III
believes he is destined To be MeXicO''
dictator; so | painted Il picture tha
surpassed his own imaginlngs. Hi
would have been suspicious of mere
flattery. so went far beyond that ant
iniamed him with such eXtravagan
visions as only child or an unblushini
egotist like him could accept.
swelled his vanity; inflated his con
ceit. For a moment, at least. l liftet
him out of himself and raised him Il
the heights"
From beyond the closed door cam
Longorio's voice, issuing some com
mand to his men. A moment passed
then he appeared before the tire
Americans He seemed taller. thinner
more erect and hawklike than ever
His head was held more proudly an
his chest was fuller. A set, dlsdainft
smile was craven upon his face.
He began by addressing his word
directly to Alare. "Senorn," he sale
W am man Of deep feeling aud
scorn deceit. Therefore offer n
np6fogy for my recent display Of emo
, ton. II have seemed to press my nc
vances with undue fervor, 1t is because
| at heart, am as great a lover as ! NJ
, Il statesman or soldier But ther
are other things thnn love. Natnl
, constituted me n leader, and he VII
climbs high must climb alone, olfere
Chnpultepec as Il shrine for you
, beauty. offered to share Mexico wit
YOU, and Iiold YOU that would NJ
, be content with less than all of yOl
, Well, meant il. Otherwisc--l wO,ll
take you now" His voice throbbe
with sudden fierce desire. md h
!. long, lean hands closed convt;>'lvel
YOU must realize that have the cou
!. nge AMI the power to defy the worl
eh?' He seemed 10 challenge d,nl'
!. of this statement, hut, receiving non
J he went on, fixing his brilliant. feye
] | ~.- --4 $50
lf---e @.hsH ,fNa.4 u4, f