Part 53 (2/2)

Night had come before she finally gave up and acknowledged the hopelessness of her situation. She had fought bravely, but with darkness her fears grew blacker. She was on the verge of her first breakdown when, in the early dusk outside, she heard voices and the stamping of horses' hoofs. The sounds were m.u.f.fled by the heavy wooden shutters she had taken pains to close and bar, but they told her that Longorio had returned. Since it was futile to deny him entrance, she waited where she was. Old Pancho's voice sounded outside; then there came a knock upon the door of the room in which she stood.

”Come in,” she said, tensely.

The lieutenant thrust his head in and, removing his hat, announced, ”There is someone here to see General Longorio on important business.

He says you will do.”

”I?”

”Yes. He says he is one of us--”

Pancho was pushed aside, the door was flung back, and a man strode swiftly into the lamplight. He paused, blinking as if momentarily blinded, and Alaire clutched at the nearest chair for support. A roaring began in her ears; she felt herself sway forward as if the strength had left her knees. She heard Dave's voice faintly; he was saying:

”Take care of my horse. Feed and water her well. Understand? When General Longorio comes tell him I am waiting here.”

As if in a dream, Alaire saw the Mexican go out, closing the door behind him. Then she saw Dave come toward her, heard him speak her name, felt his arms around her.

Alaire did not swoon, but she never could remember very distinctly those first few moments. Scarcely knowing what she did, she found herself clinging to her lover, laughing, weeping, feeling him over with shaking hands that would not be convinced of his reality. She was aware of his kisses upon her lips, her eyes, her hair; he was saying something which she could not understand because of that roaring in her ears.

”You heard me calling,” she told him at last. ”Oh, I was--so frightened!” She clung closer to him. After a time she discovered that she was mechanically nodding and shaking her head at the questions he was putting to her, but had only the vaguest idea what they were. By and by she began to tell him about Longorio, speaking in a sort of hypnotic murmur, as if her words issued at his mental suggestion. And all the time she snuggled against his breast.

”Dearest!” Dave held her away in gentle hands. ”I was afraid you'd go to pieces like this, but I had to break through the best way I could. I learned you were here and something about what was going on from the people at the next ranch. But I expected to find HIM here, too.”

”How did you manage to get here?”

”I hardly know. I just wouldn't let 'em stop me. This lieutenant wouldn't let me in until I told him I was from Monterey with important news. I don't remember all I did tell him. I tried to get here last night, but I had trouble. They caught me, and I had to buy my way through. I've bribed and bullied and lied clear from Romero. I reckon they couldn't imagine I'd risk being here if I wasn't a friend.”

It was more Dave's tone than his words that roused Alaire to an appreciation of what he said.

”Are you alone?” she asked, in vague dismay. ”Then what are we going to do?”

”I don't know yet. My plans ended here.”

”Dave! You rode in just to find me! Just to be with me?”

”Yes. And to get HIM.” Alaire saw his face twitch, and realized that it was very haggard, very old and tired. ”They lifted my guns--a bunch of fellows at the Rio Negro crossing. Some of them were drunk and wouldn't believe I was an amigo. So I finally had to ride for it.”

”Can't you take me away?” she asked, faintly. ”What will you do when--he comes?”

”I reckon I'll manage him somehow.” His grip upon her tightened painfully, and she could feel him tremble. ”I was afraid I wouldn't find you. I--O G.o.d, Alaire!” He buried his face in her hair.

”I had a terrible scene with him last night. He insists upon marrying me. I--I was hoping you'd come.”

”How could I, when n.o.body knew where you were?”

”Didn't you know? I wrote you.” He shook his head. ”Then how did you learn?”

”From Jose. I caught him within an hour of the murder, and made him tell me everything.”

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