Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1901-01-01

Win uAe watering place De1OIe H. n lew
rods beyond this they walked, and then
Cassandra proposed sitting down.
Let US move on TO the turn, said
irene. Il am weak and weary. The
dawn Of day is close at hand, and We
will not stop here. People may come out
from this house
So en- they moyed. 1t was only quar-
ter of a mile further. but it seemed a
long, long distance to them. Every step
now seemed but an expiring effort, and
the fainting nerves were busy only in
carrying their messages of pain 10 the
brain. But the corner was reached at
length. Down the narrow path they
turned, and at the distance of a few rods
they stopped beneath a large sabine tree,
and sank down upon the light turf.
Irene st. Marc slept very soundly for
awhile; but at length she began to dream.
She dreamed that she had done murder
that she had struck her father with a
dagger and killed him. To avoid appre-
hension she had fled from her home, and
was IN q dense wilderness, where the
giant trees grew thick, and the UNDER
wood was rank and matted. In her fright
she turned to go back, when she was
stopped short by finding a gigantic alli-
gator directly before her-his monster
jaws opened wide, and his long, sharp
teeth cleaning in the strange light that
came from his glaring eyes.
With deep groan Irene started back
and turned to flee. But 10! the way was
closed up behind her. Where she was
sure she had before seen a narrow path
she now found tangled mass of cypress
shoots and thorny vines; and wound all
in among the dark foliage We're innumera-
BILE serpents, whose Shiny folds cleaned
with horrid distinctness, and whose heads
were raised as if ready for blow at the
intruder. In her agony the wanderer
turned again. The alligator had grown
larger in bulk, flames of fire were issuing
from his mouth, and she felt that she was
burning up. Her face was hot-she was
burning-burning- a low sound
seemed to issue from the monsters
throat, and it distinctly pronounced her
name.
Irene! Irener
The maiden uttered a quick, sharp cry,
and started up. She opened her eyes and
gazed about For awhile she was com
pletely blinded by the dazzling bright
ness that surrounded her; but when she
did get her eyes open she found the sun
shining down holly upon her, while Cas-
sandra who sat by her side, held one of
her hands, and was gazing anxiously into
her face. But this was not all she saw
Close by, and gazing earnestly upon her.
stood a man, and a boy who held couple
of mules by the halters.
s.XX = ,+ orIra1
iously. You are not hurt?"
no, no-but l had a dream; o, a ter
rible dream"
$50 did l." returned Cassandra. II
had a dreadful one. and this man was
Just in time to wake me out of it. We
must have slept a long while, for see
the sun is far up in the heavens"
The man still stood. only a few feet
distant, gazing upon the two girls. He
was a native Indian, towards the middle
age of life, and very stout and strong.
He was by no means a good-looking man,
so far as beauty was concerned, but he
had a kind look, and Irene thought he
gazed sympathizingly upon her.
Ladies" he said, speaking in very
good Spanish, you will pardon me for
waking you. but l found you here, and
l knew the sun was burning you up. L
passed this way very early this morn
ing, just before daybreak, and you We're
here then, fast asleep; so l knew you
had slept about long enough All. those
robes don't hide your sex by daylight"
You were very kind, SIR" returned
Irene, gaining courage from the stran-
gers kind tone. we walked all night,
nearly, and were very tired when we
reached here"
Perhaps you came from the city 2"
said the Indian, interrogatively.
Irene hesitated.
You need not fear me- the man said
I'VE did come from the city, senor"
And may | ask which way you are
going?"
why not trust him?" whispered Cas-
sandra, in her mistress ear. Perhaps
he is going the same way we are, and
in all probability win know where we go.
SO we had better trust him, for these
people seldom betray one who engages
their honor"
Il WILL" replied Irene; and turning to
the stranger, she said:
There is a native settlement beyond
here. think"
Eyes, lady, over beyond the HILL"
'We We're going there"
"Ah, you know some one there?"
'No, senior, But perhaps you do"
.Yes; l live there"
Then perhaps you may know one Ja-
car Xanpa?' Irene said, earnestly.
Yes, returned the man, with smile;
though here is a boy who knows him,
perhaps better than l do
The boy thus alluded TO was a bright.
lad. about fourteen
years of age, and though rather slight in
frame, yet muscular and agile. He gazed
up with quaint smile as the man
spoke. and the expression of his eoun-
tenance wore puzzled shade.
However. resumed the man, though
the great hook-maEers say that man
can't find a more difficult lesson than to
learn himself, yet l fancy have gained
a good share of the knowledge. Ny name
is Jacar Xanpa, and this is my son,
Zeno."
Irene started to her feet at once. and
every shade Of doubt left her face.
DO you know the good priest Father
Gonzales Rondo?' she asked.
The smile departed from Xanpa's face,
and look of deep. prayerful gratitude
took its place
YES, lady" he returned, in a low key.
Il know him well. l am not one who
makes long prayers. but l can pray for
him
We'll. senior. he directed us TO seek
Jacar Xanpa, assuring us that he would
not only give us shelter. but help us 9TH
erwise as well as his means woula per-
nit"
As. and he told you truly" cried
Nanpa. joyously. Since that man
stretched forth his hand aud saved me
from an ignominious death. this is the
first time he has given me commission
70 perform. But e0me-I have been away
with burden this morning. and you
win 5nd easy seats upon these broad pan
niers. Trust yourselves TO me, and be
assured thar l viii do all for you IN my
power.
The girls needed no further urging. One
If the mules had the regular basket pan
nieE upon his back--a wide basket of cane
hanging down upon either side-and into
these the fair travellers were assisted by
the kind-hearted muleteer. They could