The Lamar register., 1917-10-17
CHAPTER xxi.
The Priest From Monelova.

The Priest From Monclova.
That was a night of terror for the
women. Although Longurio's disci-
pllne was in some ways strict In 9th
ers II was extremely lax. From some
quarter his men had secured n supply
Of mescal, and. forgetful Of FeIipe's
unhappy fate, they rendered the hours
hideouS. There were singing and quar-
reling, and shot or two sounded from
the direction of the outbuildings. Morn
ing found both Alaire and Dolores
sadly overwrought. But they felt
some relief upon learning that the gen
crnl had been unexpectedly summoned
from his bed at daylight, and had rid
den TO the telegraph office.
Profting by his absence. Alalre ven-
tured from her room. racking her brain
TO devise some means Of escape. But
soldiers were everywhere; they lolled
around the servants quarters; they
duzed in the shade Of the ranch build
ings. recovering from the nights de
bauch; and an armed sentinel who
paced the hacienda road gave evidence
that, despite their apparent careless
ness. they had by no means relaxed
their vigilance. A round Of the prem
ises convinced Alaire that the place
was actually guarded. and showed her
the futility Of trying TO slip away. She
realized. too. that even II she managed
10 do so, her plight would he little
better For how could she hope to
cover the hundred miles between La
Feria and the Rio Grande when every
pcon was an enemy?
She was standing In one of the open,
sashlcSs windows when her former
protector. the old lieutenant. bude her
good morning and paused to smoke
cigarette.
"Well, 1t was great night wasn't
IT." he began. And we have great
news this morning. We are going TO
fight you grlngos."
81 hope not"
"Yes; It viii probably 20 hard with
you. Tell me, this city Of Washington
is a fine city. and very rich, is It notT"
"Oh. yes"
ITS full Of loot. oh? Especially the
presidents palace? That is good one
can never believe all one hears"
"Why do you askf" Alnire was Gu
rfJus.
81 was thinking It would pay us to
60 there. II your soldiers march upon
Mexico City. It would he a brilliant
piece Of strategy for General Lonrorio
to invade the United States. would It
not? II would he funny to capture
Washington and hold your president
for ransom. eh?'
"Yery funny" Alaire agreed dryly.
How would you go about IT,"
Puncho shrugged. ''That is the
trouble. We would have to march
around Texas, presume"
Around Texasf"
ayes. You see, Texas Is a bad coun-
try; it is full of-bnrbarians who know
how to fight. If It were not for Texas,
we would have the United States at
our mercy" After some consideration.
he ventured this opinion: 1--WE could
afford TO pay the Texans for allowing
MS to ride through their country. pro-
vlded we stole nothing and paid for
the cattle we ate. Well, Longorio is
n great one for schemes; he is talking
over the telegraph with somebody at
this moment. Perhaps II is the presi-
dent Of Texas"
you are poor man, are You not?"
Alnire inquired.
"Miserably poor
"Would you like to make great deal
Of money!"
"Dios That is why I'm a soldier"
Il will pay you well to get me two
horses"
But old Pancho shook his head Wig
orousIy. "Impossible! General Lon
gorio is going TO marry you. We all
got drunk last night to celebrate the
wedding. Yes, and the priest is walt
ing"
81 will 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. BoOmi The poor fel-