Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1900-12-18

the tight skull cap. It only needed now
the great-brimmed hat. and this the girl
brought up from her bundle. Irene took
the lamp and went to the mirror, and she
ing sure tLal in the night. at least. she
should rot be detected.
AS soon as this was accomplished. Cas-
sandra proceeded 10 put Cd her own dis
gnise, which was jusS ike that Of her
mistress.
''Now," she said. 'slet us pack up what
we shall most need, and then we Wa be
off. We can take ore change Of dress.
and that mrsst suffice in that line"
The brndles were quickly made up, and
then they turned their attention to such
things as they wished to secure about
their persons. Irene had quite lot of
valuable iewelry, besides about FIVE hun
dred doll;lrs in gold coin. All this she
secured about her, and then she sat down
upon the bed The excitement of the
occasion was almost overpowering.
"All is ready now" whispered Cassan-
dra. placing her arm about the maiden's
neck.
do rot fear for me- Irene quickly re-
turned; Sit is only a momentary weak
ness-I was only thinking
She stopped here and burst into tears.
For some moments she wept upon her
companions bosom. and finally she gazed
up and brushed the tears away
"It is past now" she said. 81 could
not help it. Cassandra; it was my last
thought of the place that has been so
long my home. But it is over / am
strong now-iet us CO."
The two girls took up their bundles and
passed out from the room. Cassandra
locked the door behind her and put the
key in her pocket, and then noiselessly
led the way to the roof-ladder and
thence to the top of the house. Here she
blew out her light. and having set the
lamp down where it would not be easily
seen, she started on towards the roof of
the adjoining building. They walked
very quietly here, for some of the ser
wants slept beneath them. There was no
moon. but the stars were all out clear
and bright, and the fugitiyes picked their
way very easily. Having passed the roof
of the second house, they came to the
chapel, on the top of which there was a
cupola. Upon one side of this cupola
there was door, and this Cassandra
opened by means of the key which the
priest had given her. A few steps fur
Their and they were in the street, with the
way open before them now to go as they
pleased.
"-shw uttered Irene, drawing more
closely to her companion, there is a
man!'
'Ah. Irene, you must be more careful
than that Let come what may, we must
be bold and fearless. else our DISCUSSES
will avail us nothing. But we have moth
ing to fear here, for | think this is good
Gonzales"
And so it proved. The priest was the
first to speak.
''Fear not, lady" he said, as he noticed
Irene's tremulousness. IF you have a
holy purpose in view-and believe you
have-go boldly on, but carefully. You
have the key, Cassandra?"
YES good father. Here it is"
'Now come with me-" the man said,
as he placed the key in the pocket OF his
gown. Il Will go beyond the gates of
the city with you. and beyond there you
must trust to your own strength and wit.
But within the city l may be of service,
for if the sentinels hail us, my identity
will be passport enough fer you"
And it was fortunate for them that
Gonzales went with them, for they were
stopped by three different sentries,
though no opposition was offered. Arriv-
ed at the gate, the real priest readily OBJ
tanned egress, and in few moments more
they were standing without the walls of
the town. There was a sense of dreari-
ness came over Irene's soul as she cast
her eyes over the wide expanse of land
and marsh which lay spread so darkly
and gloomily beneath the night.
(Which way now?" she involuntarily
uttered.
"There is but one way that | could
recommend" returned Rondo. Il will
go with you a little further, for have
no desire to return too soon; we must
take the Jalapa road, for there is none
other that would be safe. Among some
of the-stop! By the mass, l know
native not far from the road who owes
me debt of gratitude. | saved him
from the executioner's hands not two
years ago, when a party of them We're
apprehended for highway robbery; his
name is Jacar Xanpa. | will send you
to him, and there you shall be safe. But
come-I can explain as we so on"
The trio now set forward as swiftly az
the priest thought prudent.
ITO be continued.)