Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-06-13
:, THE RED >
E N R
> L II "A IL .
CHAPTER XXI.-(Continued.)

the utmost gravity for you
Speak, my friend"
What ! have to tell you is short and
gloomy, senores. The general, after
secret conversation with his man of bust
ness, ordered me to carry a letter to the
Convent of the Bernardnes."
ITO the convent?" Don Martial ex
claimed.
Silence" said Valentine. do you
know the contents of this letter."
'Dona Anita gave it me to read. The
general informs the abbess that he is
resolved to finish the matter; that wheth-
er his ward be mad or not, he means to
marry her, and that at sunrise on the
day after tomorrow, a priest sent by
him will present himself at the convent
to arrange the ceremony"
What is to be done?" the Tigrero ex-
claimed sadly.
Silence" Valentine repeated as that
ALL Carnero?"
mo: the general adds that he requests
the abbess to prepare the young lady
for this union, and that he Will himself
call at the convent tomorrow, in order
to explain more fully his inexorable
wishes"
Very good my friend, / thank you
for this precious information: it Is Of the
utmost Importance that the general should
be prevented rom going to the convent
before three o'clock"
DO not be uneasy, my dear Valentine;
the general shall not go to the convent
before the hour you Indicate"
Il count on your promise, my friend;
and now good-by."
He offered him his hand, which the
capataz pressed forcibly
MY friends" Valentine then said, I'VE
have now arrived at the moment for the
final struggle which we have so long
been preparing. We must not let our
selves be led away by hatred, but act like
judges, not as men who are avenging
themselves. Blood demands blood, it is
true, according to the law of the desert,
but remember, however culpable the man
whom we have condemned may be, his
death would be an indelible spot, a brand
of infamy which would sully our honor"
but this monster" the Tigrero ex-
claimed, lis beyond the pale of human
ity"
He may re-enter it to repent"
Are we priests then, to practice for
getfulness of insults?" Don Martial ask
ed with a iendish grin.
NO my friend there are men in the
grand and sublime acceptance of the
term; men who have often been faulty
themselves, and who, rendered better by
the life of struggling they have led, and
the grief which has frequently bowed
them beneath its iron yoke, infict a
chastsement, but despise vengeance,
which they leave to weak and pusillani-
nous minds. Who of you, my friends,
would dare to say that he has suffered
more than /? To him alone will | con-
cede the right of imposing his will on
me, and what he bids me do l will do"
Forgive me, my friend" the Tigrero
answered, you are ever good, ever great.
Heaven, in imposing on you a heavy
task endowed you at the same time with
an energetic soul, and a heart which
seems to expand in your bosom under the
blast of adversely, instead of whitening.
Through my own sufferings, l can
understand what yours are. l, too often
feel my heart bound with wrath and in
dgnation; for, believe me, my friend, |
have constant struggle to wage against
myself, not to let myself be led away
to make a vengeance of what must only
be a punishment. But enough on this
head: time presses, and we must arrange
our plans so as not to be foiled by our
enemies / went to-day TO the Palace,
where | had a secret conversation with
the President of the Republic, whom, as
YOU are aware, | have known for many
years and who honors me with a friend
ship of which | far from believing
myself worthy. At the end of our inter-
view he handed me a paper, species of
blank signature, by the aid of which l
can do what l think advisable for the
success of our plans"
Did you obtain such a paper?"
Il have it in my pocket. Now. listen
to me. You will go at sunrise tomorrow
to the house of Don Antonio Ralier: he
will be informed of your coming, and you
will follow his Instructions"
And your
DO not be anxious about my move
ments, good friend, and only think of
your own business, for, l rel 1T, the de-
cisive moment is approaching. The day
after tomorrow begins the feast of the
anniversary of Mexican independence;
that is to say, on that day we shall do
battle with our enemy, and meet him
face to face and the combat will be a
rude one. for this man has a will of
iron. and a terrible energy. We shall be
able to conquer him. but not to subdue
him. and if we do not take care he will
slim through our hands like a serpent
hence our personal affairs must be fin
;Shed tomorrow. Though apparently alb
sent. | shall be really near you that is
10 say. | will help you with all my pow
or. | trust that you have heard and
understood me, my friend?"
YES Don Valentine"
And you will act as 1 recommends"
II promise it"
Reflect that you are perhaps risking
the loss of your future happiness"
Il will not forget your recommended
ton / swear to you l am risking too
great a stake in this game. which must
decide my future life, to let myself be
induced 10 commit any act of violence"
Good am happy to hear you speak
thus: but have confidence, my friend, l
feel certain that we shall succeed"
May heaven hear you!'
1T always hears those who appeal to
it with a pure heart and lively faith
Hope, l tell You; and now, my dear Don
Martial, permit ME to say few words
II our worthy friend. Belhumeur."
Il will withdraw"
What for? have | any secrets from
you? You can hear what l am going to
say to him
You have nothing to say to me. Val
entine" the hunter said. with a shake of
his head, nothing but what | know al
ready; | have no other interest in what
is about TO take place beyond the deep
friendship that attached me to the count
and now to you. You think that the
recollection l have preserved of our I'M
happy friend cannot be sufficiently en-
craven on my heart for me to risk my
life At your side in avenging him; but
you are mistaken Valentine, that's all.
| viii not abandon you in the hour of
combar; | will remain at your side even
should you order me to leave you. | tell
you that | swear, and have taken an
pat h that affppr IN Sbiald of