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

After moments consideration, Lon
gorio began haltingly: 81 don't know
what kind OF a man I am, for you have
changed me so. There was a time
II have done things have scorned
all restraint, all laws except those Of
my desires, and so. perhaps, am a
vandaL Make sure OF this. however
I shall not injure you. Mexico is no
more sacred to me than you, my hearts
treasure. You accuse me of indelicacy
because 1 lack the strength to smother
my admiration. 1 adore you; my be-
ing dIssolves, my veins are afire with
longing for you; I am mad with the
knowledge that you are mine. Mad?
CarambaI I am insane; my mind tot
tiers; I grope my way like a man
blinded by q dazzling light; suffer
agonies. But sect I refuse to touch
you. I am a giant in my restraint
The strength of heroes is mine, and
strangIe my impulses as they are
born, although the effort kills me. Sc
nora, await the moment Of your vol
untary surrender. wait for you" He
extended his arms, and Alaire saw
that his olive features were distorted
with emotion; that his hands, his
whole thin, high-strung body were
shaking uncontrollably.
She could summon no coherent
words.
"You believed I was a hawk and
would seize you, eh7' he queried. "Is
that why you continue to shrink? Well,
let me tell you something, If my tongue
will frame the thoughts in my mind.
My passion is so deep and so sacred
that would not be content with less
than all Of you. 1 must have you all,
and so wait, trembling. I say this
so badly that I doubt If you under
stand. Listen, then: to possess you
by force would be-well, as if sacked
cathedral OF its golden images and
expected TO gain heaven by clutching
the cross In my arms. Sonora, in
you see the priceless Jewel Of my
love, which shall wear to dazzle the
world, and without which 1 shall de-
stroy myself. Now let me tell you
what can offer you, what setting 1
can build for this treasure. Marriage
with Luis Longorio-"
AIaire could not control a start.
As If quickened by his intensity, the
man read her thought. ''You did not
imagine that offered you anything
Iess?"
"What was 7 to think? Your repu-
tatfon-T
BLOOD Of my hearth breathed the
general. $50! That is what you meant
moment ago. That is why you re-
fuse my embraces. No, mol Other
women have feared me, and I have
laughed in 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 a
gesture. "Waft until I tell you the
vision 1 have seen during these days
of despair. 1 see Mexico made whole
by my hands; a land of peace and
plenty; a people with one name upon
their nps-the name of LongoriO the
Deliverer; and you as the first lady
of them all. You know me for a man
OF tremendous ability in every line.
Well, know myself, too. have meas
ured myself carefully, and 1 have no
weakness. There is no other like me.
Pancho Gomez? Bahl He is a red
handed bandit Of no culture. Can
deleria, his chief? The idol of the ig-
nOrant and a dreamer of no force.
PotOsi? He is president today, but
what of tomorrow? Those who sur
round him are weakIings, and he
stumbles toward oblivion Who will
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 I bring you-power,
position, riches. Riches? Caramba