Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1907-10-04

klnd ana lntelllgent care, gradually felt
calmness returning to her mind her grief
gave way to a gentle melancholy; her
ideas, overthrown By frightful catastro-
phe, regained their balance. In short, the
madness which had spread its black wings
over her brain was driven away by the
soft caresses Of the nuns"
so, then," Don Martial exclaimed, "shs
has regained her reason?"
II will not venture to assert that, for.
she is still insane in the opinion of every
body"
But in that case"
"In that case, as all the world believes
1t, 1t must be 80 until the contrary Ii
proved"
"But how did you learn all these de-
tailsr
'"In the most simple manner. Ny mas
ter, Don Sebastian, has sent me several
times to the convent with messages, and
chance decreed that recognized in the
Sister porter a relation of mine The
worthy woman, In her delight, and per-
haps, too, to make up for the long silence
she Is compelled to maintain, tells me
whenever she sees me all that Is said and
done In the convent, and there Is a good
deal to learn from the conversation of
nun. She takes a great interest In me,
and as am fond of her, too, listen to
her with pleasure"
"Oh, go on Go on!"
"Well, this time have nearly finished.
1t appears, from what my relation tells
me, that the nuns and the Mother Su-
perior are utterly opposed to the generals
plans Of marriage"
"Oh, the holy women !" the Tigrero ex-
claimed with simple joy.
Are they not?" the capataz said with
q laugh. This is probably the reason
why they keep SO secret the return Of
their boarder to her senses, for they
doubtless hope that, SO long as the poor
girl Is mad, the general will not dare
| contract the union he is meditating. I'M
fortunately they do not know the man
with whom they have to deal and the
ferocious ambition that devours him; an
ambition for the qualification of which
he will recoil from no crime however
atrocious 1t may be-"
ALAS" the Tigrero said. despairingly;
you see, my friend, that am lost"
wait, wait, my good sir; your situa-
tion, perhaps, is not so desperate as you
imagine it. Yesterday l went to the con-
vent; the Mother Superior, to whom I
had the honor of speaking. confided to me
under the seal of secrecy-for she knows
that, although l am a servant of Don Sc
bastian, take a deep interest in Dona
Anita. and would be glad to see her happy
that the young lady has expressed an in
tention to confess.
"Hence" Don Martial quickly inter-
rupted him.
well, the Mother Superior asked me
to bring her priest or monk in whom
l had confidence"
"Ahv"
You understand, my friend"
"Yes, yes!"
And to take him to the convent"
And" Don Martial asked in chok.
ing voice, have you found this confess
orr"
II believe So" the capataz answered
with a smile.
'At what time are you to take this con-
fessor to the convent%
Tomorrow"
VERY good, and 1 presume you have
arranged a place to meet him?"
Il should think SO; he is to meet me
at the Parian."
II am certain that he will be pune
tual ~
And so am 1, and now, senior, do you
consider that you have lost your time in
listening to me?"
"On the contrary" Don Martial re-
piled, as he offered him his hand with a
smile, II consider you frst-rate hand
at telling a story"
They went out of the room. The Tig-
zero mounted his horse and followed Pill
Lotto, while the capataz re-entered the
house. After numberless turnings mad
windings, the rider and the footman at
length entered wide street.
This is the Secunda Monterilla," said
the peon, land that gentleman" he added,
pointing to horseman who was coming
toward them, 'is the very Don Antonio
you are looking for"
"You are sure of itT the Tierero ask.
ed.
II know him we'll"
III that is the case, accept this pias-
tre, my friend, and go home, for no
longer need your services"
The peon retired. During the conver.
sation the newcomer had halted In some
alarm.
"'Tis l, Don Antonio" the Tigrero
shouted to him. Come on without fear
Il am a friend"
"Oh, oh 1t is very late to meet
friend in the street." Don Antonio an.
swered, though he advanced without hes
itation, after laying his hand upon his
weapon to guard against surprise.
II am Martial, the Tigrero."
"Oh, that is different; what do you
want? A lodging, eh? l will have you
led to my house by servant, and there
leave you till tomorrow, as am in a
hurry"
Agreed; but allow me one word"
"Speak."