The state herald., 1917-09-14
CHAPTER xII-Continued.

CHAPTER xii-Continued.
~
Paloma was gone with rush. In
a moment she returned, ready for the
trip, and with her she carried rifle
nearly as long us herself.
In offering to lend a hand In tbs
difficulty. Alaire had acted largely
upon impulse, and, now that she took
time to think over the affnir more
coolly, she asked herself what pos
sible business Of hers 1t could be. For
her part. Paloma was troubled by no
uncertainty of purpose; It did not
seem to her at all absurd to go to
her fathers assistance, and she was
so eager to be up and away that the
prospect Of long evenings wait made
her restless.
As usual. Ed Austin had not taken
the trouble to inform his wife Of his
whereabouts; Alaire was relieved to
find that he was out, and she decided
that he had probably stayed at Tad
Lewis for supper.
The women were seated on the
porch after their meal, when up the
driveway rode two horsemen. A mo-
ment later tall figure mounted the
steps and came forward with out
stretched hand, crying In Spanish:
"Senora! / surprise you. Well, i
told you some day I should give my
self this greet pleasure. am herer
General Longorio! But-what a
surprisei" Alaire's amazement was
naive. her face was that OF n startled
schoolgirl. The Mexican warmly kissed
her fingers, then turned to meet Palo-
ma Jones. As he bowed. the women
exchanged glances over bis head. Miss
Jones looked frankly frightened, and
her expression plainly asked the mean
Ing Of Longorio's presence. To her
self, she wns wondering II II could
have anything to do with that expedi-
ton to the Romero cemetery. She
tried to compose herself. but appre-
hension flooded her.
Alaire. meanwhile, her composure
recovered, was standing slim and mo-
tionless beside her chair, inquiring
smoothly, "what brings you Into Tex.
as at such time. my dear general
This Is quite extraordinary"
"Need you ask me?" cried the man
II would ride through n thousand per.
lis, sonora. God In his graciousness
placed that miserable village. Romero
close to the gates OF heaven. Why
should not presume TO look through
them briefly? Icame two days ago. ant
every hour since then l have turned
my eyes In the direction Of Las Pal
mas. At last could wait no longer.
Paloma gnsped and Alaire stepped
through the French window at hel
back md into the brightly Lighted
living room. Paioma Jones followed
ss II In n trance.
Longorio's bright eyes took o swift
inventory Of his surroundings; then h,
sighed luxuriously.
"How fine!" said he. "Hov beauti
ful A nest for q bird Of paradise =
Don't you consider this rather /,
mad adventur~f" Alaire Insisted
Suppose II should become known thn
you crossed the riverY'
Longorlo snapped his fingers. ~ nn
swcr to no one; am supreme. Blu
your intcrcp warns my heart; 1
thrills me 10 think you carc for IN.
safety. Thus am ! repaid for my day
1f misery"
"Yoa surely did not"-Paloma swal
lowed hnrd-"comc nloner
"No. ! took measures 10 protect my
self In case Of cventunlities."
'HowT
"By bringing with me some Of IN,
troopers. oh. they nre peaccnblc fei
iowsl" he declared. quickly; "nnd the.
are doubtless enjoying thcmselvc
sith our friend and sympnthizcr. Mo
rules."
"Whcrci" nsked Ainirc.
Il left them at your pumping plan,
scnorn." Pnlomn Jones sat down hcav
ily In the nearest chnir. But you nee,
have no uhcasiness."
Alnirc answered sharply. "It was
very reckless thing TO do. md yo,
must not remain here"
Lonsorio drew his evenly archc,
brows together In plnintiyc frown
snyine. "You nrc inhospi,nble Thci
,is expression iiehtcncd. "or In II.
he eskcd-"is u TINT you nrc ndcc,
spprchenhyc for mef'
Alnirc tried 10 spenk quietly. "
thonld never forgive myself n go,
came TO hnrm here NJ my ranch"
Longorio sighed. "And I hoped 10