Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-03-07

Luis Longorio He waved signal to
the conductor, then swung aboard the
uorth-bound train.
The general was oil smiles as he
came down the aisle, and bowed low
Dyer A!aire's hand.
Dolores e.pcd ;nd stlf'encd In her
seat Ike d wonaa of stone.
"Hcavcn be praised! You are safe
and wei" said the newcomer. 81
have blamed myself for allowing you
to take this abolinable journey, |
have been in torment lest something
befall you. Every night have prayed
that you might be spared all harm.
When | received word that you were
coming. made all speed to meet YOU"
Dolores and | are greatly in your
debt" Aairc told him.
"But you st@yed so long,"
'"rhcre was more work than
thought. General, yoG have ruined me-"
Lonsorio WIS PANIED; his face be-
came incilably sad please. | beg
Of you" he cntrcatcd. Il have ar
ranged fer PREPARATION Of that mscr-
able mistake. | shall see that you re-
ccive justice. If tie government will
not pay. | will. All | possess would
be too little to buy your happiness
"You cmbarrass ir2. I'm afraid you
don't realize what you say" Alaire re-
mGined cool under the mans protesta
tons. II have lost more than thou
sand head Of cattle"
1--WE shall say two. three thousand
and the government viii pay Lmgo
rio asserted brazenly. Il will vouch
for your figures, and no one will ques
ton them, for ! am man Of honor
$40. All | want"
ut Is done. Let us say no more
about the affair. Sonora have thought
CT YOU every hour; the duties that held
me in Nucvo Pueblo we've like irksome
chains. was in madness. / would
have flown to La Fera, butt could
not"
"My husband will thank you for your
great courtesy TO me-" Alaire managed
to say. -
But the mention Of husbands was
not agreeable to one of Longorios sen
sitivoness, AID his face betrayed Il
hint Of impatience.
''Ycs. yes" he agreed carelessly.
"S0nor Austin and | must know each
other better and become friends"
"That is hardly possible at present.
When the war IS over"
"Bah. This war is nothing. | 70
where l please. You would be sur
priscd to greet me ut Las palmas some
day soon ch? When you tell your
husband what friend ! an, he would
be glad to see me. would he not?"
"Wlly--of course. But surely you
wouldn't dare
2 "And why not? | have made inqui-
ries, and they tell me Las Palmas is
| beautiful heavenly, and that you are
| the ono who transformed 1t. | believe
them. You have the power to trans
form all things, even Il mans heart
and soul No wonder you are called
The Lone STAR But wait. You will
see how constantly I think OF YOU"
Longorio drew from his pocket several
photographs of the Austin ranclhonsc.
"Wherc did you get thosc?" Alaire
asked in astonShment.
"Ah! My secret. Scc They are
badly worn already, for keep them
next to my BOSOM"
I'VE entertain very few guests Mt
Las Palmas," she murmurcd, uncom-
fortably.
Il know. | know great deal"
1T would scarcely be safe for you
to call the country IS full of Candle
leristas4--"
"Nnttlc!' said the officer, with a
sculeless shrug. "Did not that great
poet Hyren swim across an ocean to
see Il lovely Indy? Well, l. too, am q
poet. have beautiful funcies-songs
or love run through my mind. Those
Englishmen know nothing of passion.
Your American men are cold Only a
Mexican can love, We have fire In
our veins, senora."
To these perfervid protestntions Do.
lorcs listened with growing fright; her
eyes were wide, and they were fixed
ALPHABETICALLY upon the speaker; she pre-.
scented much the appearance of n rab-
] OIL charlacd BY s.socnt. But to Lon.