Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-05-16
CHAPTER XIII.

movements of the capataz. Seeing at last
that be did not seem inclined TO make the
confession he was so impatiently await
ing, he touched him slightly. Carnero
started as if suddenly branded with a
hot iron
What you have to reveal to me must
be very terrible" the Tigrero at length
said in low voice.
$50 terrible, my friend" the capataz
answered, that though alone with you
in this room fear to tell it you"
The Tigrero shook his head sadly.
Speak, my friend" he said in a gentle
voice, II have suffered such agony during
the last few months that all the springs
of my soul have been crushed by the fatal
pressure of despair"
Yes, you are man carved in granite.
l know that you have struggled triumph
antly against lost fortune; but, believe
me, Don Martial, there are sufferings a
thousandfold more atrocious than death"
''The pity you testify for me is only
weakness. I cannot die before l have ac-
complished the task to which l have de-
voted my wretched existence. l have
sworn, at the peril of my life, to protect
the girl who was betrothed to me-
Garry out your oath. then, Don Mar
tial, for the poor child was never in
greater peril than now
What do you mean? For heavens
name explain yourself" the Tigrero said
passionately.
Il mean that Don Sebastian covets the
wealth of his ward. l mean that remorse-
lessly and shamelessly laying aside all hui
man aspect, forgetting that the unfortu-
nate girl the law has confded to him is
insane. he coldly intends to become her
murderer"
go on, go on. what frightful scheme
can this man have formed?'
OH the capataz continued with saw
age irony; ''the plan is simple, honest,
and highly praised - some persons"
Explain yourself"
well, know all, them General Don
Sebastian Guerrero intends to marry his
ward"
Marry his ward, ~ Don Martial ex-
claimed,
yes! You little know this man." the
capataz repeated with laugh. with the
implacable will. this wild beast with a
human face, who pitilessly breaks every
one who dares to resist him. He is re-
solved to marry his ward in order to strip
her of her fortune, and he will do So |
tell you. We have now reached the point
| have been aiming at so long. Now
listen to me. told you, think. that on
her arrival in Mexico Dona Anita was
taken by Don Sebastian to the Convent
of the Bernardines."
:.
saying So"
Good Dona Anita was received with
open arms by the good nuns. The young
lady, on again finding herself among the
companions of her childhood, treated with
kind and intelligent care, gradually felt
calmness returning to her mind her grief
gave way to a gentle melancholy; her
ideas, overthrown by a 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"
$50, then" Don Martial exclaimed "she
has regained her reason?"
Il will not venture to assert that, for
she is. still insane in the opinion of every
body"
"In that case, as all the world believes
it, it must be so until the contrary is
proved"
"But how did you learn all these de-
tails?"
In the most simple manner. Ny mas
ter, Don Sebastian, has sent me several
times to the convent with messages, and
chance decreed that l 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 a
nun. She takes a great interest in me,
and as l am fond of her. too, l listen to
her with pleasure"
"Oh, 90 on Go on!'
well, this time l have nearly finished
1t appears, from what my relation tells
me, that the nuns and the Mother SUI
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
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 meditatings 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 it may be-"
Alas. ~ the Tigrero said, despairingly
you see, my friend. that I am lost"
wait, wait, my good sir; your situa,
ton, perhaps. is not so desperate as you
| imagine it. Yesterday l went to the con
vent; the Mother Superior. to whom
had the honor of speaking, con6ded to me
under the seal of secrecy-for she knows
that, although am servant of Don Sc
| bastian, l 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 a priest or monk in whom
I had confidence
"Ahw
You understand, my friend"
YES yes,''
"And to take him to the convent"
And, Don Martial asked in a chok
ing voice, have you found this confess
or?'
Il believe so,' the capataz answered
with a smile.
AT what time are you to take this con
| fessor to the convent?"
Tomorrow
Every good, and 1 presume you hav'
arranged a place TO meet him?'
Il should think so; he is to meet M
at the Parian."
Il am certain that he will be pune
tual !"
And so am 1, and now. senior, do yo'
consider that you have lost your time Il
listening to met"
ION the contrary" Don Martial re
piled, as he offered him his hand with
smile, Il consider you frst-rate han