Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1907-10-11
CHAPTER WI,

~ 'lNS4tNh fsFfN stIL lNAh' :. w AiiS FDAts -
ladies. 50 scna Is the .-s,:-,s had vita
drawn t..ry dfess csae5,r together, Doaa
Helena ta.giis- Ike seat on the bench pre-
yiouslH occupied BY The sabhess.
M Gsan .Anita,'' she said. ''let me
profit 81 the few minutes we are LETT
alone ! i..srart to yon the contents OF
a ictses ! received this morning. 1t is
most important
Wat do you mean, my dear Helena!
Does the lctter to which you refer inter
est me-.
II cannot positively cxpiuin to you.
bnt It ,e5!l be sufficient for you to know
that ms brothers are very intimate with
a conrtrg1nan OF oars who takes the
creates Interest in You"
ssThat is strange said Doaa Anita,
pausing. II never know bur one French
man. ard | have told you the sad story
which was the cause Of all the misfor-
tazes that overwhelmed me. Who can
this gentleman be who takes so lively an
interest III me-do You know him."
Very slightly the young lady an
swercd, y.ith n blush. but sufficiently to
be able 10 assure you that he possesses
a noble heart. He does not know You
personally butt she added. MS she drew
q letter from her bosom. shall | read a
passage in my brothers letter which re-
fers to you and hing
pray read it, my dear Helena"
'Listen, then. Valentine begs me, dear
sister. to ask you to tell your friend that
tie confessor she asked for will come to
the convent this very day. Dona Anita
must arm herself with courage. for she
viii learn to-day some news possessing
immense Importance. This is under
lined" the young lady added, pointing to
the sentence with the tip of her rosy
finger.
Tint is strange Dona Anita muir
INJURED. Alas! what news can / learn
"1Vho knows?' said her young com
yanion, Before all. Dona Anita must
be prudent: and however extraordinary
what she hears may appear to her, she
must be careful to conceal the effect pro-
duced BY this revelation. for she must
not forget that if she has devoted friends.
she is closely watched by ail-powerful
enemies. and the slightest imprudence
would hopelessly neutralize all efforts
The rest the maiden added. with a
smile, only relates to myself"
At this moment the lay sister, who had
already informed the Mother Superior
of the arrival of Don Serapio de la Ron
da, appeared.
"Senorita.' she said. addressing Dona
Helena, Our holy mother abbess wishes
to spcal: to you both. without delay.
She is whiting for you in her private cell
In the company of a holy franciscan
monk
They followed the lay sister, who led
them TO the Mother Superior's cell, and
discreetly withdrew on reaching the door.
Come. my child" she said, as she
held out her arms to Donn Anita come
and thank heaven who has deigned to
perform a miracle on your behalf
Tie maiden stopped through ~involun-
tary emotion. and looked wildly around
her. At a sign from the abbess the monk
rose, and throwing back his hood at
the same time as he fell on his knees be-
fore the maiden, he said to her in a voice
faltcring with emotion:
Anita. do you recognize me? ~
AT the sound Of this voice, whose sym
pathetic notes made all the fbers of her
heart ~vilrate, the maiden suddenly drew
herself back, tottered and fell, as she
1ranticnily shrieked out:
"Martial. oh. Martial"
A sob burst from her oyercharged
bosom, and she burst into tears. She
va saved. since the immense joy she had
10 suddenly experienced had not killed
her. The Tigrero, as weak as the woman
he loved. could only find tears to express
all his feelings.
"Anita." he cried, Il have found you
again at last no human power shall sep
lrate us again."
Never. never !" she murmured, as she
let her head fall on the young mans
shoulder Martial, my beloved Martial,
protect me. save me! !"
"Oh. yes. / will save you angel OF my
life" he exclaimed, looking up de6antly.
rs that the prusence you promised
ms7" the ,abbess said, interposing. IRE
member the perils Of every description
that surround you. n the implacable
foes who have sworn your destruction
lock UP in u heart these feelings which.
II revealed before one of the countless
spies who watch you, would cause your
death and thar, perhaps, or the poor girl
you love"
THANK you, madam" the Tigrero re-
piled; thank you for having reminded
me of the cart I must play for a few
days longer. If I forget it for a few
seconds, subdued BY the passion that de-
yours iny heart, I will hcnceforth adhere
to it carefully. Do not fear lest / should
imper4 the happiness that is preparing
for me no. l will restrain my feelings
and let myself be guided by the counsel
OF the sincere friends to whom I " the
Of ineffable happiness I am now
enjoying"
II nov understand. Dora Anita ex-
claimed. the9mysterions hints given me-
Alas. misfortune made me suspicious
20 forgive me, holy mother"
II forgive you. my poor child" the
abbess answered: who could blame
you?"
Dona Helena pressed her friend to her
heart without saying a word.
"Oh. now our misfortuncs are at an
end, An;.sa." the Tigrero exclaimed pas
si0natei3 IKE nave friends who will not
>>Aanaiaa sas IL the supreme struggle we
are engaging IN with our common enemy !,
MARTIAL the maiden replied, II was
weak because ! was alone, but now that
I know you live. are near me to support
ne, oh If I were to fall dead at the fecf
of my prosecutor. | would not be false
to the oath ] took to be yours alone.
Believing yon dead. I remained faithful
to soar memory. but now, If persecution
assailed me, | should find the strength to
endure it,
CHAPTER NvH.
General Guerro was ono OF chose wow
erful athletes who do not alleH them
selves 70 be- overcome easily. His re-
VOTED pride restored his expiring ccnr-
aga: and since an implacablc warfare vas
dRE<0 rQd y ~sffVcf& him ~ S.. $40 A..