Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-06-06
CHAPTER XIX,

The newcomer walked gracefully up to
Don Sebastian, still holding his hat in
his right hand, bowed to him with exqui-
site grace, and thrusting his hand into his
side, he said with an accent of cutting
sarcasm, in a harsh, metallic voice:
do you recognize me, Don Sebastian.
and do you believe l am really alive?"
At the same moment Belhumeur's
knowing face could be seen peering
through the doorway. With his eyes OBJ
stinately fixed on the General, he seemed
to be impatiently expecting an answer,
which the latter evidently hesitated to
give.
"Who are you, senor?" said the Gen
eral, land by what right do you ques-
ton meg
well played" said Valentine ''Ca-
ballero, you are a rude adversary"
do you think sou Don Sebastian
asked, with hoarse laugh
Certainly" the hunter continued. ''and
l am delighted to bear my testimony to
the fact; hence you had better yield at
once, for you are in a dilemma from
which you cannot escape"
There was a silence lasting some min
NLCs- ~ IeESlH the general SSeIlCd ~
make up his mind, for he turned to Bel
humeur, who was still listening, and bow
ed to him with ironical politeness.
why stand half hidden by that door?'
he said to him. Pray enter, caballero."
The Canadian at once entered, and af-
ter swing the general a respectful bow
he leaned over the back of Valentine's
chair. The latter eagerly followed all the
incidents Of the strange scene that was
being played before him, and in which
he appeared to be a disinterested specta-
tor rather than an actor.
Il am waiting" the general said, as
he fell back in his chair with an air of
WEAKNESS.
I'VE will bring matters to an end, y
Valentine said. drawing himself up with
an air of resolution. General, you will
at once leave Mexico and give up Dona
Anita, to whom you will not only restore
her liberty, but also the right of giving
her hand and fortune to whomsoever she
pleases. You will sell your estates and
retire to the United States, promising on
oath never to return. On my side, |
pledge myself to restore to you your
daughters body"
Have you anything more to add!
the general coolly asked.
Nothing; but take care, senior. l, too,
have taken an oath, and from what
told you you must have seen how far
have detected your secrets. Accept or
refuse, but come to decision, for this
is the last time we shall meet face to face
under the like conditions. The game we
are playing is terrible one, and must
end in the death of one of US, and l shall
show you no pity, as, doubtless, you will
show me none. Reflect seriously before
answering yes or no, and l give you half
an hour to decide"
The General rang the bell and the foot
man came in.
Order the carriage" he said to him.
Then" Valentine said as he rose, "it
Is war to the death between u.s."
War to the death be it SOL
I'VE shall only meet once again, Gen
eral," the hunter remarked; "and that
will be on the eve of your death, when
you are in Capilla."
Il accept the meeting, and will bow
uncomplainingly before you if you are
powerful enough to obtain that result
but, believe me, | am not there YETI
You are nearer your fall than you
! perhaps suppose"
That is possible; but enough of this.
Light these gentlemen down." he said to
the servant, who at this moment entered
| the room.
When the general entered his box at
the theater, which was in the first circle
and almost facing the stage, the house
| presented a truly fairy-like appearance
The presidents box was occupied by the
first magistrate of the republic and some
of his aide-de-camps. Several times Don
Sebastian fancied that the presidents
eyes were fixed on him with a strange
expression, after which he bent over and
whispered some remarks to the gentle
men who accompanied him. Perhaps this
was not real, and the generals pricked
| conscience suggested to him suspicious
| far from the thoughts of those against
| whom he had so many reasons to be on
| his guard; but real or not, these suspi-
! cions tortured his heart and proved to
him the necessity of coming to an end
at all risks.
Still the performance went on: the
curtain had just fallen after the last act
and the general, devoured by anxiety.
and persuaded that he had remained long
| enough in the theater to testify his pres-
ence, was preparing to retire, when the
door of his box opened and Col. Lupo
walked in.
All is it you. colonel?' Don Sebastian
said to him as he offered him his hand.
Pray do not let me stop you, general
l have only a few words to say to YOU. u
Our business"
Goes on famously."
mo suspicion?'
Not the shadow"
The general breathed like q man from
whose chest a crushing weight has been
removed.
Can 1 be of any service to your" he
said, absently.
For the present, l have only come
for your sake"
How so?'
We'll, l was accosted to-day by a
lepero. a villain of the worst sort. who
says he wishes to avenge himself on a
certain Frenchman, whom he declares
| you know, and he desires to place him
self under your protection. in the event
of the blade of his navajo accidentally
slipping into his enemys body"
Did this worthy gentleman tell you
his name, my dear colonel?"
Yes; but l believe that it would be
better to mention it in the open air.
rather than in this place"
They left the theater and proceeded to-
ward the Portales de Mercadores. which
were entirely deserted at this advanced
hour of the night.
CHAPTER XX