Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1901-02-05
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THE
CRUISER
BY
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I moments the whole dread truth came
back to her mind; and as soon as she re-
membered all, she sank back upon the
Sofa and groaned in bitterest anguish.
In few moments more st. Marc came
in. He had probably heard the voices,
and knew that Irene had recovered. She
sat up as he entered, and would have
fallen at his feet, but he detected the
symptoms Of her movement, and waved
her back
My child" he said, "you know all that
has passed, so I shall have only to tell
you of the future. You know Martin San
Benito. You know he has long been one
of my warmest friends, and that, but for
my solemn pledge to Jilok Tudel, should
have given him your hand ere this. But
l am now released from all pledges to
Tudel, and can hence bestow this mark
of my esteem upon San Benito. You will
become his wife ere we leave this place.
Now, mark me; this is fixed, and it can
not be altered"
A few moments Irene sat and gazed her
father in the face, and then she clasped
her hands.
In the name of heaven all just and
merciful," she cried, Il beseech you to
spare me. Look upon me, my father, and
see me here weak and defenseless. How
have l ever harmed you, or how wrOnged
you, that you should thus curse the morn
Of my life? o, spare me. Spare me this
dread blow, and I'll bless thee while life
lasts"
Irene" returned the man, very coolly
and calmly-like the breath of a still
morning in winter-''you have pleaded all
you need to plead. You have escaped
me once. and thereby threw me into a
scrape from which L narrowly escaped
with my life; but you cannot escape me
again. L am determined now. Ay-were
all the prayers of all the saints at this
moment presented to me in behalf of your
request they would not move me an atom.
You will be married to San Benito to-
morrow. l am determined not to hold
you long; and if you escape again it must
be from the hands of your husband and
not mine"
And must it be tomorrow" the maid
en- murmured.
AS sure as tomorrow comes, it shall"
mo hope. no mercyw
"Yes-both. If YOU will be wise. as 1
am, and take the things of earth as they
come, you'll have hope and mercy
enough"
II would die now"
Il won't disturb You more now, my
child. 1t is growing late, and you may
like to be alone. But remember-you
become wife tomorrow, just as sure as
the sun rises again"
And with these words Antonio st.
Mare left the room. When he was gone
Irene threw herself upon Cassandra's
bosom and grOaned aloud. She could not
weep now. The shock was too deep-too
dreadful. And what could her faithful
companion say to comfort her? She could
only point to heaven.
80, Clarence! Clarence" murmured the
stricken one, where art thou now? Shall
not see thee once more ere the frail and
brittle cup of life passes from me?"
\ few moments after this the maiden
remained quiet, and then looking up into
Cassandra's face, she said:
And Calypso-where is she?"
Il think she went out to meet Captain
Howard" returned the girl. "She did
not say so, exactly, when she went away.
but 1 thought from what she did say
that she feared he might not know exact
ly which way to turn, 50 she went out to
meet him."
80, wish she were here; think even
she might help me-"
Then let US hope that she may come
Ay-that they both may come"
But tomorrow, Cassandra-O, to-
Il know; but between now and then a
smart horse might easily travel from
here to the capital. Az, Buonevcdeo came
from the capital to this place in ten hours
upon only one housekeeping there at
and reaching here at ten
o'clock on the next day
20, if | dared to hope. But alas! what
can they do if they Gomez"
This was 4 question Cassandra could
not answer; so her foundation for hope
was blown to the winds.