Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1907-06-28
CHAPTER XXI.-(Continued.)

"i)QIV one Iu1l1SJ Oub ~AAAAAA~ - ~ ~
tbe utmost gravity for YOU
Speak, my friend.'
oWhat have to tell you is short and
Gloomy, senores. The general, after a
gocrat conversation with his man of bust
mass. ordered me to carry letter to the
Convent of the Bernardines."
ITO the convent? Don Martial e1-
claimed.
silence" said Valentine. do you
know the contents of this letter."
"Dona Anita gave it me 20 read. The
General informs the abbess that he is
resolved to finish the matter that Wheth-
or his ward be mad or not, he means to
marry her, and that at sunrise on the
dav after tomorrow, priest sent by
him will present himself at the convent
TO arrange the ceremony"
What is to be done" the Tigrero ex-
claimed sadly.
silence" Valentine repeated. "Is that
all, Carnero"
No; the general adds that he requests
the abbess to prepare the young lady
for this union, and that he will himself
call at the convent tomorrow, IN order
10 explain more fully his inexorable
wishes"
VERY good, my friend, 1 thank you
for this precious information 1t is OF the
utmost Importance that the general should
be prevented from going to the convent
before three o'clock"
DO not be uneasy, my dear Valentine;
the general shall not go to the convent
before the hour you indicate.
~ count on your promise, my friend;
and now good-by."
He offered him his hand, which the
.capataz pressed forcibly.
MY friends" Valentine then said, I'VE
have now arrived at the moment for the
final struggle which we have so long
been preparing We must not let our
selves be led away by hatred, but act like
Judges. not as men who are avenglng
themselves Blood demands blood, it is
true. according to the law Of the desert,
lint remember. however culpable the man
whom we have condemned may be, his
death would be an ndelible spot, brand
of infamv which would sully our honor"
But this monster" the Tigrero ex-
claimed sis beyond the pale of human
ity"
He NAV re-enter it to repent.
Are we priests then, to practice for
gntfulness of insults?" Don Martial ask
ed with a fiendish grin.
NO, my friend there are men in the
grand and sublime acceptance of the
term: men who have often been faulty
themselves, and who, rendered better by
the life of struggling they have led, and
the grief which has frequently bowed
them beneath it's iron yoke, infict a
chastisement. but despise vengeance,
which they leave to weak and puslllanl-
nous minds Who of you, my friends,
would dare to say that he has suffered
more than /? To him alone will con-
cede the right of imposing his will on
me. and what he bids me do I will do"
Forgive me, my friend" the Tigrero
answered, you are ever good, ever great.
Heaven, in imposing on you heavy
task, endowed you at the same time with
an energetic soul, and a heart which
seems to expand in your bosom under the
blast of adversely, instead Of whitening.
Through my own sufferings, can
understand what yours are. l, too, often
feel my heart bound with wrath and in
dignation; for, believe me, my friend, l
have constant struggle to wage against
myself, not to let myself be led away
to make a vengeance of what must only
be a punishment. But enough on this
head time presses, and we must arrange
our plans so as not to be foiled by our
enemies. I went to-day to the Palace,
where | had a secret conversation with
the President of the Republic, whom, as
you are aware, I have known for many
years, and who honors me with friend
ship Of which l am far from believing
myself worthy. At the end of our inter
view he handed me a paper, a species OF
blank signature, by the aid of which l
do what I think advisable for the
success of our plans"
Did you obtain such a paper?"
Il have it in my pocket. Now, listen
to me. You will go at sunrise tomorrow
to the house of Don Antonio Rallier; he
will be informed of your coming, and you
will follow his Instructions"
And you?"
DO not be anxious about my move
ments. good friend, and only think of
your own business, for, l repeat, the de-
csive moment is approaching. The day
after tomorrow begins the feast of the
anniversary of Mexican independence
that is to say on that day we shall do
battle with our enemy, and meet him
face to face; and the combat will be a
rude one, for this man has a will OF
iron, and a terrible energy. We shall be
able to conquer him, but not to subdue
him. and if we do not take care he will
slip through our hands like serpent
hence our personal affairs must be fin
lShed tomorrow. Though apparently alb
sent. l shall be really near you, that is
to say, will help you with all my pow
eC. / trust that you have heard and
understood me, my friend?"
Yes, Don Valentine"
And you will act as I recommend!'
1 promise it."
Reflect that you are perhaps risking
the loss of your future happiness"
| will not forget your recommends
ZION, | swear to you I am risking too
great stake in this game, which must
decide my future life, to let myself be
induced TO commit any act of violence.
Good | am haDpy to hear you SPEAK