The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-08-25

The Mexican shook his head. Then
his face Iightened. "Ah! Now I see
Your modesty forbids you to acknowl-
edge EOur IOve-is that it7 Well, I know
that you admire me, for can see 1t.
All women admire me, and they all
end by loving me-" His chest arched
impercepdbly; with a slender finger
he delicately smoothed his black eye
brows. Alaire felt a wild impulse to
laugh, but was glad she had subdued
1t when he continued. 81 am impetuous,
but fmpetuosity has made me what
am act, and then mold fate 10 suit
my own ends. Opportunity has de-
livered to me my hearts desire, and I
will not be cheated out of it. Among
the men I brought with me to La
| Feria is a priest. He is dirty, for
caught him as he was fleeing toward
| the border; but he is a priest, and he
will marry US tonight"
Alaire managed to gasp, "Surely you
are not in earnest
Indeed ami That is why insist
ed that you dine with me this evening.
1 cannot waste more time here, for
necessity calls me away. You shall go
as my wife"
''DO you think I would remarry on
the very day find myself a widow? p
''The world will never know"
"You dare to say thatI" Her tone
was one Of disgust, Of hnality. ST won
der how I have listened to so much. It
Is horrible
"You are still little hysterical, and
you exaggerate. If 1 had more time,
| -
with his luminous gaze. ST would let
you play with me to your hearts con-
tent and exercise your power until you
tired and were ready to surrender"
Alaire raised her head proudly, her
nOstrils dIlated, her eyes ablaze with
hostility. 'sThis is very humiliating,
but you force me to tell you that hate
you"
LOngorio was incredulous rather
than offended. He drew himself up to
his full height and smiled, saying
''That is impossible" Then, ignoring
her Impotence: "ComeI You cannot
deceive me. The priest is waiting"
When Alaire spoke next, it was with
an expression and with a tone OF such
lOathing that his yellow face paled.
''Your conceit is insufrerable," she
breathed.
After a brief struggle with himself.
the Mexican cried, hoarseIy: 81 will
not be refused. You wish me to tame
you. Ell? Good You have found your
master. Make your choice. then.
Which shall it be. surrender or-com-
pulsion?"
"SoI You have been lying. as !
thought. CompulsionI Now the real
Longorio speaks"
He flung up his hands as If to ward
of her fury. "NoI Have I not made
myself clear? I shall embrace you
only with the arms of a husband, for
this is not the passion Of a moment,
but of lifetime, and have myself to
consider The wife of Mexico's next
president must be above reproach
there must be no scandal. no secrets
hidden away for enemies to unearth.
She must stand before the people as
perfect woman; she must lend pres
tige to his name. When I speak OF
compulsion, then, mean the right OF
a husband"
Alaire uttered an exclamation Of dis
gust and turned away, but he inter
cepted her, saying: "You cannot hold
me at bay. It is destiny. You shall be
mine tonight. Think a momenti We
are alone in the heart Of a country
lacking in every law but mine. Your
friends do not know where you are.
and, even If they knew, they could not
help you. Your nations protest would
avail nothing. Outside Of these walls
are enemies who viii not let you leave
ton OF my name"
''Then I shall never leave It." she
told him.
For the first time Longorio spoke
roughly: 81 lose patience. In Gods
name have I not waited long enough ?
My strength is gone" Impulsiveiy he
half eneircled her with his thin arms,
but she seemed armored with ice, and
he dropped them. She could hear him
grind his teeth. st dare not lay hands
upon you" he chartered. angel Of
my dreams, 1 am faint with longing.
To love you and yet to be denied; to
feel myself a1ame and yet to see you
cold; to be halted at the very doors
of Paradise What torture !"
The fellows self-control In the
midst of his frenzy frightened Alaire
more than did his widest avowaIs; It
was in something Of a panic that she
said:
zone moment you tell me am safe,
the next you threaten me. You say 1
am free, and yet you coeree me. Prove
your love. Let me go
mol MOI shall call the priest"
Longorio turned toward the door,
but halfway across the floor he was
halted by a wOman's shrek which IS
sued from somewhere inside'th house.
It was repeated. There was an out
burst IN a masculine voice, then the
patter of footsteps approaching down
the tiled hallway. Dolores burst into
her mistress presence, her face
bIanched, her hair disordered She
flung herself into AIaire's arms. cry
Ing:
'SenoraI Save mel Gods curse
on the ruf1an- Oh