Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1907-09-27
CuApTnR XII.

was standing on the threshold. 1t wa
Carnero.
The tiger slayer went up to him; the
other walked on. The capataz took him
by the hand and whispered, Come with
me-"
His guide led him through several
rooms, took him up a fight Of stairs, and
opening a door conducted him into q room
family lighted by a lamp.
Now" snid Carnero, after closing the
door, from which the Tigrero noticed that
he removed the key, "sit down and let US
talk, for we are in safety. l must give
you n few words in explanation of the
mysterious way in which l brought you
here
II am listening to you" the Tigrero
answered.
I'VE are in the mansion of General Don
Sebastian Guerrero" the capataz then re-
marked.
"What?' the Tigrero exclaimed, with
4 start of u~neasiness.
"Reassure yourself, no one saw you en-
ter, and your presence here is quite un-
known, for the simple reason that I
brought you in my private entrance"
II do not understand you"
And yet it is very easy to explain. For
reasons too long to tell you. and which
would interest you but slightly, during
Don Sebastian's absence as Governor of
Sonora / had a private passage made. Ev-
erybody save myself is ignorant of the eH-
istence Of this communication, which"
he added, with a glowing smile. may at
a given moment be Of great utility. The
room in which we now are forms part of
the suite / occupy, in which the general
has never yet set foot"
But ppo you were to be sent for,
through the general happening to want
you?'
Certainly, but / have f~oreseen that
1t is my system never to leave anything
to chance. Although it has never hap
pened yet, no one can enter here without
my being informed soon enough to get
rid of any person who a be with me-"
THAT is capitally arranged, and ! am
happy to see that you are a man of pru-
dence."
Prudence is, as you know, senior, the
mother of safety. Enough on hat head,
If you have nc, objection. A man, whose
name it is unnecessary to mention, but to
whom. as I ave already had the honor of
telling you, I am devoted body and soul,
sent you to me to obtain the information
you require. and which he supposes me
able tosgive."
.ssenor," the Tigrero answered. II
thank you heartily. for you know as well
as / do what perils are connected with
the carrying out Of these plans
What you are saying is true. but it
will be better, fancy, for the present.
for me t. assume to be ignorant of them"
Eyes, yes, my position is SO precarious.
the struggle / am engaged in is so wild.
that, although l am supported by sincere
friends, I must be prudent. Tell me.
then, what Won know az to the fate of the
unfortunate Dona Anita de Torres. Is
she really dead?"
do you know what happened in the
cavern after your fall down the preci-
pice2"
ALAS no; my ignorance is complete
Carnero reflected for a moment.
Listen, Don Martial; but I must tell
you q long story. Are you ready to
EYES," the other answered, without
hesitation, 'for there are many things I
am ignorant OF, which I ought to know.
So speak without further delay"
AT the time when the facts occurred
/ am about to tell you I was living at
the Hacienda del Palmar. Hence 1 was
only witness to q portion of the facts :
the rest l know from hearsay. When
the Comanches came, guided by the white
men, Don Sylvia de Torres was lying
mortally wounded, holding in his stifened
arms his daughter Anita, who had sud-
denly gone mad. Don Sebastian GuerrreFo
was the only relation left to the hapiess
young lady, and hence she was taken to
his hacienda"
'What?" Don Martial exclaimed in sur
prise. "Don Sebastian Is a relation to
Dona Anita I"
Ibid you not know that?.
II had not the slightest idea of It."
.Well, this is how the relationship
exists Don Sebastian married a niece Of
Don Sylva's, so you see they were close
IL connected. Still. for reasons never
thoroughly made known, a few years after
the GENERALS marriage q dispute broke ont
which led to . total suspension Of init
macy between the families"
The Tigrero shook his head. "Go on"
he said. "How did the general receive
her r.
.He wal not at the hacienda at the
time but an express was sent OF to him.
general came post haste, seemed
greatly moved. gave orders for her to be
kindly treated. appointed several
to wait on her, and returned to hisNpost
1t Sonora"
Summoned by the French invasion. 1
presume you are aiiuding to that q
yes. Almost Immediately after these
events the general returned to the Palmar.
was no longer the same man. The
horrible death Of his daughter rendered
him g1oomier and harsher. For q whole
week be remained shut up in his apart
ments but, at last, one day he sent for
me to inquire as to what had happened
At the hacienda during his absence. |
had but little to tell him. The general
let me say all l had to say, and when
x ended, he, too, remained silent for some
time. At length. raising his head, he
looked at me for a moment nngrily."
What are you doing there?" he asked,
am waiting" l answered, .for the
orders It may please your excellency to
give me-"
He looked Mt me for a few moments as
II trying to read my very thoughts, and
then laid his hand on my arm. "Carnero,'
he said to me, You have been a long
time IN my service, but AXE care lest
should have to dismiss you. You do mol
Ike. he aid servants who are too In.
tsllisent and too clear sighted; and nov
lad MestoS DonasAnita,s apartments"
X obeyed with hanging head the gen.
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