Williston graphic., 1917-04-05

eloquent Of surprise and curiosity, bu,
he held his tongue.
"Am I to understand, then, that you
rob me because of my husbands &C
tion3" Alaire asked.
mo. I shall help" Longorio beamed
enthusiastically. 1T shall be the OBJ
ject of my life to serve you, and you
and shall arrange this matter salts
factorily. have influence, believe me-
Duty calls me to Nuevo Pueblo, and
you shall return with me as the guest
of my. government" He rose to hia
feet, but his eagerness soon gave place
to disappointment.
"Thank you," said Alaire, but !
must first 60 to La Feria and get all
the facts"
"Senora! It 10 q wretched Journey,
see!" He waved . contemptuous ges'
ture at the car, crowded to congestion,
"There Is no food; you have no one to
wait upon you. Ia my company yod
will be safe. Upon my honor, you will
enjoy the highest courtesy"
"0f course. But I must 20 -
have Dolores and Jose to look arter
me-" Alaire INDICATED Sanches, who
had edged his way very close and now
stood with admiring eyes fixed upon
bis hero. .~..
"Yes, mi general" Jose exclaimed,
eagerly. II am here"
Longorio scrutinised the horse
breaker critically. ''Your name is-r'
"Jose Sanchez"
"You look like Q brave fellow"
Jose swelled at this praise. and no
doubt would have made suitable an
swer, but his employer held out her
hand. and General Longori0 bent over
It, raising. It to his lips. He called one
of his subOrdinates closer and ordered
that a lieutenant and six soldiers be
detached to act as an escort to Mrs.
Austin's party. "Sen0ra. the hours
will drag until may see you
again and he of further service. Mean
while shall BE- tortured with radiant
Dreams Go with Cod" For n second
time he bowed and kissed the hand he
held, then, taking Jose Sanchez init
mately by the arm. be turned to the
door.
Dolores collapsed into her seat with
an exclamation. "Caramba The man
is a demon! And such eyes. Uf!"
Dolores was interrupted by Longo-
rios voice beneath the open window
The general stood, cap In hand, hold.
ing up to Alaire n solitary wildf1Ower
which he had pIucked beside the track
"See!" he cried. 1T is the color of
your adorable eyes--blue like the
sapphire gen." He placed the deli
cate bloom In Alaire's fingers and was
gone.
''CuidalO 7" breathed Dolores "There
ls blood on it; the blood of innocents
He will burn for million years in hell
that man."
Jose Sanchez came plowing into
Alaire's car. tremendously excited
"Look, sonora I" he cried. "Look what
the general gave me-" and he proudly
displayed Longorio's service revolver
Around Jose's waist was the cartridge
belt and holster that went with the
weapon. with his own hands he
bucklcd It about me, and he said
Jose, something tells me you are .
devil for bravery. Guard your mistress
with your life, for II any mishap be-
falls her I shall cut out your heart
with my owq hands, Those were his
very words, Sonora. Caramba! There
Il man to die for"
= Nor was this the last Of Longorio's
dramatic surprises. Shortly after the
train had got under way the lieutenant
In command of A]aire's guard brought
her small package. saying:
"The general commanded me to hano
you this, with his deepest regard"
Alaire accepted the object curiOusly
It was small and heavy and wrapped
In several leaves torn from a notebook
and It proved to be nothing less thar
the splendid diamond-and-ruby rinG
she had admired.
"God protect us, now" murmuret
Dolores. crossing herself devoutly.