Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1907-10-11
CHAPTER XIV.

| introduce the reader into the convent, at
about five in the evening, three persons,
collected in leafy arbor, at the end Of
the garden were talking with considera-
| BILE animation.
OF these persons, one was a nun, while
the other two, girls of from sixteen to
eighteen, were novices.
The first was the Mother Superior Of
the convent, a lady of about fifty years
Of age, with delicate and aristocratic fea-
lures, gentle manners, and q noble and
/ majestic demeanor.
The second was Dona Anita. She was
pale and white as corpse, her fever
parched eyes were not easy fixed on any
object, and she looked about her hurried.
ly and desperately.
The third was Dona Helena Rillier, q
lisht-haired, blue-eyed girl, with a saucy
look, whose velvety cheeks, and noble
and well-defned features, revealed the
candor and innocence Of youth, combined
with the laughing expressions Of q board
er spoiled by an indulgent govsrness.
Dona Helena was standing little out
side the arbor, like vigilant sentry care
fully watching lest the conversation be-
tween the Mother Superior and her COM
panion, should be disturbed.
"Sister Redemption Is coming this way,
holy mother" Dona Helena said at this
moment.
At a sign from the Mother Superior,
Dona Anita withdrew to the other end Of
the bench on which she was seated, fold
ing her arms on her chest.
| a. 4
teri" Dona Helena asked a rather elder
ly lay sister, who was looking to the right
and left as II really seeking somebody.
"Yes, sister," the lay sister answered,
II wish.to deliver message with which
I am intrusted for our mother"
! ''Then enter this arbor, sister, and
you will find her reposing there"
The lay sister entered the arbor, ap.
preached the Mother Superior, stopped
three PAGES of, folded her arms, and look.
ed down and waited.
"What do you desire, daughterr the
Mother Superior asked her.
"Your blessing in the first place, holy
mother" the lay sister answered.
II can give 1t you, daughter; and now
what message have you for meT
"Holy mother, gentleman Of lofty
bearing, called Don Scrapio de Ia Donda,
wishes to speak with you privately"
Remain here till the oracion, my chill.
dren; converse together, but be prudent
she said.
Then after giving Dona Anita q part
ing kiss, the Mother Superior went away
sorely troubled in mind at this visit from
man she did not know, and whose name
she heard for the first time. When she
entered the parlor the abbess examined
the stranger with hasty glance. Or
perceiving her he rose from his chair ant
bowed respectfully. This first glance wal
favorable to the stranger, in whom thu
reader has doubtless already recognized
Valentine Guillois.
the abbess said to him, III your con
versation is to last any time; we shall
talk more comfortably while sitting"
Valentine bowed, offered the lady {
chair, and then returned to his own.
"Senor Don Serapio de la Ronda wa
announced to me-" the lady continued
after short silence.
IL am that gentleman, madam"
II am at your orders, cabellero, ant
ready to listen to any communication
you may have to make"
Madam, l am merely commissioned
by the Minister Of the Home Department
to deliver this letter, to which / have
a few words to add"
While uttering this sentence with ex
quisite politeness Valentine offered the
abbess letter bearing the ministerial
arms.
Pray open the letter, madam" he add
ed, on seeing that she held it ir her hand
unopened; you must be acquainted with
It's contents to understand the meaning
of the words have to add"
The abbess, who in her heart was i'm.
patient to know what the minister had
to say, offered no objection and broke
the seal of the letter. On reading It q
lively expression Of Joy lit up her face.
'Then," she exclaimed, "His Excel.
lency deigns to grant my request"
Yes, madam; you remain, until fresh
orders, responsible for your young charge.
You have only to deal with the minister
in the matter; and" he added, with a
| PuIpObcu blIc5o Ou luc WVkuo, III IQ6
event of Gen. Guerrero, the guardian Of
Dona Anita, trying to force you into sur
rendering her to him, you are authorized
to conceal the young lady"
"Oh, senor," she answered her eyes
filling with tears of joy, pray thank His
Excellency in my name for the act Of
justice he has deigned to perform"
II will have that honor, madam" VAL
entine said, as he rose, land now that I
have delivered my message, permit me to
take leave of you, while congratulating
myself that l was selected by His Ex-
cellency the minister to be his interme-
diary with you."
At the moment when Valentine left the
convent Carnero entered it, accompanied
by a monk whose hood was pulled down
| over hia face The hunter and the m nm =