The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1917-10-04

around Texas, / presume"
"Around Texas?
"Yes. You see, Texas is a bad coun-
try 1t is full of-barbarians who know
how to fight. IL 1t were not for Texas,
we would have the United States at
our mercy" After some consideration,
he ventured this opinion: Eve could
afford to pay the Texans for allowing
us to ride through their country, pro-
the cattle we ate. Well, Longorio is
a great one for schemes; he is talking
over the telegraph with somebody at
this moment. Perhaps it is the presi-
dent of Texas"
you are a poor man, are you not?"
Alaire inquired.
"Mlserably poor"
"Would you like to make q great deal
of money!"
"Dios! That is why I'm a soldier"
81 will pay you well to get me two
horses
But old Pancho shook his head Wig
orously. Impossible! General Lon
gorlo is going to marry you. We all
got drunk last night to celebrate the
wedding. Yes, and the priest is wait
ing"
II win make you rich"
"Hol Wouldn't live to spend a single
peso. Felipe disobeyed orders, and
the general shot him before he could
cross himself. BOOM The poor fell
low was passed in n minute. No. We
will all be rich after we win q few
battles and capture some American
cities. l am an old man; I shall leave
the drinking and the women to the
young fellows, and prepare for my old
age"
Seeing that she could not enlist Pan
cho's aid, Alaire begged him to fetch
the priest.
"You wish spiritual comfort, Sc
nora?"
Perhaps"
swell, he doesn't look like much of
a priest, but probably he will do. As
for me, / don't believe in such things.
Churches are all very well for ignorant
people, but we Mexicans are too intel
ligent we are making an end of them
The priest was a small, white-haired
man with a gentle, almost timid face,
and at the moment when he appeared
before Alaire he vas in anything but
a happy frame of mind. He had under
gone, he told her. a terrible experience.
His name was O'Malley. He had come
from Monclava, whence the rebels had
banished him under threat of death.
He had seen his church despoiled of its
~valuables, his school closed; he him
self had managed to escape only by a
miracle. During his flight toward the
border he had suffered every indignity,
and finally Longorio had intercepted
him and brought him here, practically
In chains.
what a situation! What chaos T.
he lamented. '"The land is .overrun
with bandits; there is no law. no au-
thority. no faith; religion is made a
mockery. The men are becoming inf
dels and atheists. and In many places
they will not allow US to give comfort
even to their women"
rs II ns bad as that?"
Father O'Malley shook his head sad
ly. you've no idea. What do you
think of a people who forbid the men,
ton of Gods name in their schools?
That is what the revolutionists are
doing. Canfeleria claims that the
churches are the property of the state.
He confiscates them, and he charges
admission. He has banished all ex-
cept a few Of us priests, and has
shamefully prosecuted u Sisters of
Mercy. oh, the outrages! Mexico Is,
today. the blacklist spot on the map
of ~Christendom." His voice broke.
THAT Is the freedom, the liberty, the
democracy, for which they ara fight
ing. That is the new Mexico. And
the federals are not a bit better. This
Longorio. for instance. this-woif--he
brings me here. as his prisoner, to sol
emnize an unholy marriage! He treats
me like a dog. Last night ! slept In a
filthy howell"
"OhI I'm sorry" Alaire exclaimed.
"But I'm half crazed with my wi
troubles. 10u must cOme INTO tne
house; the best / have Is yours. You
shall be as much my guest rs I can
make you. ~and-perhaps you viii help
me to escape"
"Escape?" The little man smiled
mournfully. "You are watched and
guarded, and so am /. Even if you
got away from here, what then? You
can't imagine the condition Of the
country"
II won't marry him." Alaire cried.
with a slndder. II WON'T"
"He can't very well force you to do
so. But remember, these are war
times; the man is a fiend, and he puts
no restraint upon his desires. II he
Is madly bent on having you. how can
you prevent Il? In 7iv.rnal times he
would not dare injure n so promi-
nent as you. but now--" Father
O'Malley lifted up his hands. II only
wonder that he suggests a lawful mar
rage. Suppose you refuse? VIII he
- IL.