Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1907-10-25
CHAPTER XIX.

Don oeDastlan, stlll 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 harsh, metallic voice:
DO you recognize me, Don Sebastian,
and do you believe am really aliveT
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 Cen
eral, "and by what right do you ques-
tion me?"
well played" said Valentine. ga
ballero, you are rude adversary"
DO you think so?" 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
utes. At length the general seemed to
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 doorT
he said to him. Pray enter, caballero."
The Canadian at once entered, and af
ter giving the general 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.
II 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"
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. 1, too,
have taken an oath, and from what I
told you you must have seen how far /
have detected your secrets. Accept or
refuse, but come to a 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 shall
show you no pity, as, doubtless, you will
show me none. Reflect seriously before
answering yes or no, and 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, ut
Is war to the death between u.s."
WAR to the death be it So"
1--WE shall only meet once again, Cen
eral," the hunter remarked; "and that
will be on the eve of your death, when
you are in Capilla."
81 accept the meeting, and will bow
uncomplainingly before you If you are
powerful enough to obtain that result
but, believe me, / am not there yet"
"xou 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 fanced 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.
"Ah, is it you, colonelT' Don Sebastian
said to him as he offered him his hand.
pray do not let me stop you, general,
I have only few words to say to you"
"Our businessW
"Goes on famously."
"No suspicion?"
mot the shadow"
The general breathed like man from
whose chest crushing weight has been
removed.
"Can I be Of any service to your" he
ssid ahaanftv