Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-05-30
CHAPTER XVI.

We will leave the Mother Superior for
a little while and return TO the two young
ladies. So soon as the abbess had with
drawn they drew closer together, bona
Helena taking the seat on the bench pre-
viously occupied by the abbess.
MY dear Anita" she said, "let me
profit by the few minutes we are left
alone to impart to you the contents OF
a letter / received this morning. 1t ls
most important"
What do you mean, my dear Helena!
Does the letter to which you refer inter
est me?'
Il cannot positively explain to you,
but 1t will be sufficient for you to know
that my brothers are very intimate with
a countryman Of ours who takes the
greatest interest In you"
That is strange" said Dona Anita,
pausing Il never knew but one French
man. and l have told you the sad story
which was the cause of all the misfor-
tunes that overwhelmed me. Who can
this gentleman be who takes so lively an
interest in me-do you know himT
Very slightly" the young lady an
swered, with a blush, "but sufficiently to
be able to assure you that he possesses
a noble heart. He does not know you
personally; but" she added, as she drew
letter from her bosom, shall l read
passage in my brothers letter which re-
fers to you and him."
Pray read it, my dear Helena"
Listen, then. Valentine begs me- dear
sister, to ask you to tell your friend that
the confessor she asked for will come to
the convent this very day. bona Anita
must arm herself with courage, for she
will 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
That IS strange" Dona Anita muir
INJURED. ALAS what news can l learn"
who knows" said her young com
panion. 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 all-powerful
enemies, and the slightest imprudence
would hopelessly neutralize all efforts
The rest the maiden added, with
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 speak to you both, without delay.
She is waiting 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 Superiors cell, and
discreetly withdrew on reaching the door.
Come, my child" she said as she
held out her arms to Dona Anita; come
and thank heaven who has deigned to
perform a miracle on your behalf"
The 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
faltering with emotion:
Anita, do you recognize me?"
At the sound of this voice, whose sym
pathetic notes made all the fibers of her
heart vibrate, the maiden suddenly drew
herself back, tottered and fell, as she
frantically shrieked out:
Martial. oh, Martial"
A sob burst from her overcharged
bosom, and she burst into tears She
was saved, since the immense joy she had
so 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
arate 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 y
"Oh. yes, l will save you; angel of my
life" he exclaimed, looking up defantly.
Is that the prusence you promised
me?" the abbess said, interposing. RE
member the perils of every description
that surround you, and the implacable
foes who have sworn your destruction
lock up in your heart these feelings which.
if revealed before one of the countless
spies who watch you, would cause your
death and that, perhaps, of the poor girl
you love"
Thank you, madam" the Tigrero re-
piled; thank you for having reminded
me of the part | must play for a few
days longer. If l forget it for a few
seconds. subdued by the passion that de-
YOURS my heart, i will henceforth adhere
to it carefully. Do not fear lest l should
imperil 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 owe the
moments of ineffable happiness l am now
enjoying"
Il now understand" bona Anita OK
claimed, 1.-THE mysterious hints given me.
Alas. misfortune made me suspicious
so forgive me, holy mother"
Il forgive you, my poor child" the
abbess answered; who could blame
you:"
Dona Helena pressed her friend to her
heart without saying word
"Oh. now our miSfortuncs are at an
end. Anita" the Tigrero exclaimed pas
sionately I'VE have friends who will not
abandon us in the supreme struggle we
are engaging in with our common enemy
Martial" the maiden replied, Il was
weak because l was alone. but now thai
i know you live. are near me to support
me. oh if were to fall dead ar the feet
of my prosecutor, | would not be false
TO the oath | took to be yours alone
Believing you dead, l remained faithful
10 your memory; but now, if persecution
assailed me. should find the strength t
endure it."
CHAPTER NVIT
General Guerro was one of those pow
erful athletes who do not allow them
selves to be overcome easily. His re