The Miller sun. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 190?-19??, 1907-10-05

In our convent she has made herself so
beloved by all her companions, through
her charming character. that her depart
ure is an occasion of mourning for all of
u.s."
"You render me very happy and very
proud by speaking thus of my sister,
madam"
This praise is only the expression of
the strictest truth, eaballero. We are all
really most grieved to see her leave us
thus. Still | should not have ventured
thus 20 make myself the interpreter of
our regrets were there not a very strong
reason that renders it almost duty to
speak to you."
II am listening, madam, though l can
guess beforehand what you are going to
say to me-"
She looked at him in surprise.
"You guess Oh, it is impossible,
senor," she exclaimed.
The Frenchman smiled.
MY sister Dona Helena, as is gen.
orally the case in converts, has chosen
one of her companions, whom she loves
more dearly than the others, and made
her her intimate friend. Is such the case,
madam"
How do you know it,"
He continued with a smile:
'Now, this young lady. so beloved not
only by Helena but by you, madam, and
all your community, is a gentle, kind,
loving girl, who, in consequence of q great
misfortune, became insane, but whom
your tender care has restored to reason.
Still, you keep the latter fact a profound
secret, before all from her guardian,
who, not contented with having stripped
her of her fortune, now insists of robbing
her of her happiness by forcing her to
marry him."
"Senor, senor," the abbess exclaimed
as she rose from her seat, with an aston
ishment blended with terror, "who are
you that you know SO many things of
which believed the whole world ignor-
anti"
"Who am l. madam? the brother of
Helena, that is to say, man in whom
you can place the most entire confidence"
eco ON, caballero.'
1.-THE guardian of Dona Anita, either
that he has suspicion, or for some other
motive, wrote to you yesterday, ordering
you to prepare her TO marry him wiGhin
twenty-four hours. Since the receipt of
this fatal letter, Dona Anita has been
plunged in the deepest despair, a despair
further heightened by the sudden depart
ure Of my sister, the only friend in whose
arms she can safely reveal her hearts
secrets. Did you not receive a visit
yesterday from Don Serapio de la
Ronda?'
Yes, that gentleman deigned to visit
me few moments before l received the
fatal letter to which you have referred"
did not Don Serapio, on leaving you,
say these words BE kind enough to in
form Dona Anita that a friend Is watch
ing over her: that this friend has al
ready given her unequivocal proofs of the
interest he takes in her happiness, and
that, on the day when she again sees the
franciscan monk, to whom she confessed
once before, all her misfortunes will be
endedY"
Yes, Don Serapio did utter those
words"
well, madam, / am sent to you, not
only by him, but by another person, who
Is no less than the President of the Re
public, not only to take away my sister,
out dlSO 10 ask you 10 ucllNeT up 10 me
Dona Anita, who will accompany her"
Heaven is my witness, senior, that
would be delighted to do what you ask
Of me. Unhappily, 1t is not in my pow
err; Dona Anita was entrusted to me by
her sole relation, who is at the same time
her guardian, and though he is unworthy
of that title. and my heart bleeds in re-
fusing you, 1t is to him alone that l am
bound to deliver her."
/ This objection, madam, the justice Of
which l fully appreciate, has been fore
seen by the persons whose representative
am. Hence they consulted on the means
to remove the scruples by entirely releas-
ing you from responsibility. Father, give
this lady the paper, of which you are the
bearer"
4 Without uttering a word. Don Martial
took from his pocket the blank signature
Valentine had entrusted to him, and
handed 1t to the abbess filed up.
4 what is this?" she asked.
! MADAM" the Frenchman answered,
'4that paper is blank signature of the
President of the Republic, who orders you
to deliver bona Anita into my hands,
II see it." she said. sorrnwfully; "un-
fortunately this blank Signature. which