Argosy All-Story Weekly, February 18, 1928 — page 111: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

FOR COUNTRY. new relationship that verbally existed be- tween them: “Tell me, Patria dear, do you wish to live in Mexico when things are settled— and our task is completed? It occurs to me that your beauty and talents require the appreciation of the Continent, of Europe, to give them a proper field.” Patria was in no mood for air castles, even make-believe ones in the pursuit of a hateful duty. She answered sharply: “‘} think Mexico requires the residence and helpfulness of all its citizens, now and later. It will need every one, in the coun- “My and out, to help rebuild this messed-up scheme of affairs and establish life as it should be.” “You and I, beloved,” breathed the man eagerly, “need not worry ourselves about such things. We can forget politics. Our wealth will let us indulge our fancy, what- ever it may be. “Let us not deceive ourselves; we are the ones that count. What is Mexico to us? I have only your pleasure at heart. I will lay the world at your feet when we are married!” He waxed to apostrophe: ‘“ Oh, speed the day!” Patria looked resentfully at him. ‘‘ Mex- ico is not yet freed, Captain Simores,”’ she asserted defensively. ‘‘ Bear in mind that any promise of mine is contingent upon that. Please don’t forget it.” He arose from his chair, fired by desire. ** Not ‘ Captain Simores,’” he said. ‘ Ra- fael—your own Rafael! Your slave! We will conquer all obstacles in the end. My fervor must convince you, win you—even before that glorious day.” Rafael seemed a trifle inconsistent in his regard for his country. But so far as his inflamed regard for the girl could go, he was daft about her; he truly loved her, but with passion, too, burning infatuation and thwarted desire, and a grievously wounded pride. He was nervously impatient for the little liberties as well as for the license that would be his as soon as they were married. Fired by these complexities, he crossed the space that separated them, his arms ex- tended in tremulous appeal. 909 “Ah, Patria,” he declaimed, “I have starved for you! You beat into my heart and mind day and night! I clasp your im- age to my breast while the fires of love consume me! I am an accepted lover, yet I have none of the privileges.” Patria recoiled before him. “‘ Stop!” she cried. “No, no! Don’t come a step nearer. I have made my bar- gain, but until it is completed you have no right—”’ He interrupted wildly: “Tt is not right I demand. I beg, I im- plore! Just one kiss from those tormenting lips to keep me sane—a treasure to hold in memory while I must wait! Heart of my heart, do not deny me! Have pity, have mercy!” Patria was despairingly frightened. Simores’s ardor and passion were too plain- ly exhibited. He was almost beyond rea- son. And her repugnance overpowered her. She could not help but display her pro- found loathing of the man’s nature and per- sonality. “TI could not bear for you to touch me,” she said almost hoarsely. ‘ You must leave me in peace. And shame upon you to ask it while you know the state of my mind, my worry, the responsibilities I am living under.”’ The sinister power of the man came into her “mind. In her distress she turned to desperately hopeful appeal. ‘Please go now,” she begged. “I am not myself. Oh, can’t you understand a woman? [ am not ungrateful; but now I have no room in my thoughts except for my people—and the state—and the state. I don’t know what I am saying! Give me time.”’ “JY see.” Simores’s voice slashed with deadly drawl. “I think I understand, and I am not to be made a fool of. You have proved yourself to be an accomplished actress; you have even been acting for me. “If you were sincere in agreeing to con- sider me as your future husband, you would not object to my caresses. Now I will tell you what I think. “{ believe you are preparing to betray Mexico—you who come from a family of Eomichbooks (E@)