Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1907-11-29
CHAPTER Y

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 n 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
a 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 optburst 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
much emotion, because l lave been very
L tSIs sods n Seh Sou v hIS
the sufferinss l have caused you?"
.Oh, uncle, speak not so. Are you
not, alas! the only relation ! have re-
maining?"
'For a short time" he said, with a
sad smile, that is the reason why 1
ought, without further delay, to provide
for your future"
DO not talk about that at such a mo-
ment, uncle" she continued, bursting into
tears.
"On the contrary, my child, it is at
this moment, when I am going to leave
you. that I am bound to insure you a
protector. Don Martial, / have done you
great wrong; here is my hand, accept it
rs that of a man who has completely
recognized his faults, and sincerely re-
pents the evil he has DONE"
The Tigrero, more affected thar 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 1 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"
ESpeak, general, and no matter, if it
is in my oower-" he exclaimed, warm
ly
II believe 0 Don Martial" Don
| Seba stan 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 Curumiiia
and the officer commanding the capilla
guard, who had been warned beforehand,
the general walked eagerly toward them.
"Senores,'' he said, II 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. I have something more yet, If
you please. I now wish to make you
witness of a great rcparation."
They stopped and looked at the gem
erai with the greatest surprise as he
walked up to Valentine.
.Caballero,' he said to him, ~ know
all the motives of hatred you have
against me, and those motives I allow to
be just. I am now in the same position
in which I placed Count de Prebois
GRANGE, your dearest friend. Like him,
1 shall be shot at daybreak,
but Vith this difference, that he fell as
a martyr to a holy cause and innocent
of crimes of which I accused him, while
l am guilty, md deserve the sentence
passed or me. Don Valentine, I repent
from the bottom of my heart the iniquit-
GUS murder of Jul friend. Don Valcn-
tine, do you forgive me?"
General Don Sebastian Guerrero, I
forgive you the murder of my friend"
the hunter answered in a firm voice.
You forgive me?"
II forgive you the life Of grief to which
l am henceforth condemned by you."
you pardon me unrcservedlyY"
"Unreservedly I do"
Thanks. We were made to love in
stead hate one another"
"You think so low"
II misunderstood you; but yours is q
great and noble heart. Now let death
come. and I shall accept it gladly, for I
feel convinced that heaven viii rave pity
IN me on account of my sincere repent
ance. Be happy, niece, with the husband
of your choice. Senores, all accept my
thanks. Don Valentine, ono more I
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. Gen
eral, l have forgiven you, and 1t IS now
my turn to ask you pardon
What can you meanT"
II have deceived you'll"
Deceived me !"
Yes take this paper. The President
Q. the Republic, employing his sovereign
right OF mercy, has, on my pressing en-
treaty, revoked The sentence passed on
you You are free"
ESis hearers burst into a cry of admira-
ton. The general turned pale. He tot
tered, and for a moment 1t was fancied
that he was about to fall. A cold per-
SEPARATION stood on his temples.
Fathers" he said, turnin: TO the
mcnks, lead me to your monastery.
General Guerrero is dead, md h~enccforth
I shall be . monk Of your order
Two days5after the scene we have de-
EcTibed Valentine and his companions left
Mexico III returued@to Sonora. On
reachins the frontier the hunter. IN spite
Of - pressing entreaties q hh friandsL