Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-07-18
CHAPTER XVIII

CHAPTER XVIII.
Valentine Dona Anita, NJ. Rallier and
Don Martial got into the carriage. The
two Canadians and the chief followed
them on horseback, and they proceeded
at gallop to the chapel where the con-
demned man was confined
All along the road they found marks
of the obstinate struggle which had DEL
uged the city with blood a few days pre-
viously; the barricades had not been en-
tirely removed, and though the distance
was in reality very short, they did not
reach the prison until nightfall, owing
to the detours they were forced to make.
Valentine begged his friends to remain
outside, and only entered with Dona
Anita and the Tigrero. The general was
impatiently expecting them, and testified
great joy on perceiving them.
The young lady could not restrain her
emotion, and threw herself into her I'M
cle's arms with an outburst of passion
ate grief. The general pressed her ten
derby to his bosom and kissed her on the
forehead
Il am the more affected by these marks
of affection, my child" he said, with
much emo ton, because have been very
harsh to you. Can you ever forgive me
the sufferings 1 have caused your
"Oh, uncle, speak not so. Are you
not, alas! the only relation 1 have re-
naming"
For a short time" he said, with
sad smile, that is the reason why l
ought, without further delay, TO provide
for your future
$40 NOT FOL oh hot of c,1cb n mo-
ment, uncle" she continued, bursting into
tears.
''On the contrary, my child, it is at
this moment, when l am going to leave
you, that l am bound to insure you a
protector. Don Martial, l have done you
great wrong; here is my hand accept it
as that of a man who has completely
recognized his faults, and sincerely re-
penis the evil he has DONE"
The Tigrero, more affected than he
liked to display, took a step forward and
cordially pressed the hand offered him.
General" he said, in a voice which
he tried in vain to render firm, this mo-
ment, which l never dared hope to see,
fills me with joy, but at the same time
with grief"
well, you can do something for me
by proving to me that you have really
forgiven me-"
Speak, general, and no matter, if it
is in my oower-' he exclaimed, warm
ly
81 believe you, Don Martial" Don
Sebastian answered, with his sad smile.
Consent to accept my niece from my
hand and marry her at once in this
chapel"
One of the monks had prepared every
thing beforehand.
When the hunters and the French
banker entered, followed by CurumiIla
and the officer commanding the capilla
guard, who had been warned beforehand,
the general walked eagerly toward them.
"Senores," he said, Il would ask you
to do me the honor of witnessing the
marriage of my niece. Dona Anita de
Torres, with this cabellero. One mo-
ment. l have something more yet, if
you please. / now wish to make you
witness of a great reparation."
They stopped and looked at the GEN
eral with the greatest surprise as he
walked up to Valentine.
"Caballero," he said to him, at know
all the motives of hatred you have
against me, and those motives I allow to
be just. l am now in the same position
in which 1 placed Count de Prebois
GRANGE, your dearest friend. Like him,
l shall be shot tomorrow at daybreak,
but with this difference, that he fell as
martyr to a holy cause and innocent
of crimes of which I accused him, while
l am guilty, and deserve the sentence
| WI
from the bottom of my heart the iniquit-
Gus murder of your friend Don Valen-
tine, do you forgive me?"
General Don Sebastian Guerrero, l
forgive you the murder of my friend"
the hunter answered in a irn voice.
You forgive me?"
81 forgive you the life of grief to which
I am henceforth condemned by you"
You pardon me unreservedly?"
''Unreservedly 1 do
Thanks. We were made to love in
stead hate one another"
You think so now"
81 misunderstood you; but yours is a
great and noble heart. Now let death
come, and | shall accept it gladly, for
| feel convinced that heaven will have pity
on me on account of my sincere repent
ance. Be happy, niece, with the husband
of your choice. Senores, all accept my
| thanks. Don Valentine, once more
thank you. And now leave me, all. for
l no longer belong TO the world, so let
me think of my salvation"
But one word" Valentine said. Sen
eral, l have forgiven you, and it is now
my turn to ask your pardon"
What can you mean?"
II have deceived you."
Deceived me!'
| yes; take this paper. The President
OF the Republic, employing his sovereign
right of mercy, has, on my pressing en-
treaty, revoked the sentence passed on
you. You are free"
His hearers burst into a cry of admira-
ton. The general turned pale. He tot
tered, and for a moment it was fancied
that he was about to fall. A cold per-
| spiration stood on his temples.
Fathers he said, turning to the
monks. lead me to your monastery.
General Guerrero is dead, and henceforth
l shall be a monk of your order"
Two days after the scene we have de-
scribed Valentine and his companions left
Mexico and returned to Sonora. On
reaching the frontier the hunter, in spite
of the pressing entreaties of his friends,
separated from them and returned to the
| desert.
Don Martial and Dona Anita settled
IN Mexico near the Ralliers. A month
| after Valentines departure Dona Helena
returned to the convent, and at tbe end
of year, in spite of the entreaties OF
her family, who were surprised at so
strange a resolution. which nothing ap-
| parently explained, the young lady took
| the vows.
When l met Valentine Guillois on the
banks of the Rio Joaquin some time after
the events recorded in this long story, ne
was going with Curumilla to attempt a
hazardous expedition across the Rocky
Mountains, from which, he said to me,
with the soft, melancholy smile which
he generally assumed when speaking to
| me- he hoped never to return.
| accompanied him for several days,
and then we were compelled to separate.
| He pressed my hand and followed by his