Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-08-28
handsome, and full of knightly dar-

soldiers life, and our close relations
as captain and lieutenant.
Seated together on the parquet, my
brother subaltern, directed our atten-
ton to a house Immediately opposite
US. 1t was a low, single-storied build
! ing, with q flat roof surmOunted by a
low parapet, and stood 8, little apart
| from the rest, with trees and shrubbery
showing above the stone wall on either
side
But that which attracted our atten-
| ton was small white handkerchief,
embroidered and bordered with lace,
which was fastened to one of the win
dow-bars as a flag of truce. There was
something so suggestive IN the sight
so refined and poetic in the thing itself
that we each involuntarily uttered All
exclamation of interest, and Captain
Royal said:
II would defend that house against
my generals order to pillage and burn
| it. That token I know must belong to
one who is lovely and refined.
We watched the window, but no one
appeared. Presently a bugal-call sound
ed, and troop Of our cavalry moved
down the street. when, as if attracted
by the noise, an old man, tall and white
haired, and with something dignitied
in his appearance, showed himself at
the window whence hung the white
handkerchief.
[ watched the cavalry as it swept by,
until, as the last passed us, an eXcla-
nation from my friend Captain Royal
recalled my attention.
"Look there!" he said. Isn't she
perfectly lovely?"
By the side Of the old man now stood
a young girl, whose face clearly betok-
ened mixture of spanish and Mexican
blood. Large, soft black eyes, frlnged
with long jetty lashes, and surmOunted
by regular arched brows; lovely
crimson mouth, and luxirant ebon
tresses; and a form faultless in its ex-
quisite proportions-these made up a
picture which we'll justified my friends
enthusiastic exclamation.
With her hand passed through the
old mans arm, she STOOD gazing, with a
sort of modest, wondering interest,
upon the strange spectacle in the street.
At last her eyes fell upon our group,
and [ saw her expression change to
one of pity and concern. She had per
ceived that Royal was wounded, and
at once called the attention of her COM
panion to it.
A few sentences were exchanged, and
then the girl disappeared, only to re-
turn immediately. bearing in her hand
a cup of wine.
Her father-for such he evidently was
made sign to Royal, who approached
and received the glass from the delicate
hand thrust through the iron bars.
He bowed, thanked her, and as she
drew back I perceived the rich crimson
mantling eloquently beneath the bronze
of her cheek.
Turning to Royal, with a congratu-
latory remark upon the incident, [ saw
him deadly pale, and blood dripping
through the sash which supported his
arm. His wound had reopened, and as
we hastily removed the bandages, he
already faint with loss of blood swooned.
"Waterr I cried to the soldiers who
had rushed around us.
They scattered in various directions;
but before any Of them could return the
door ofthe opposite house was opened,
and the old Spanish gentleman beck
oned us to bring in our wounded COM
rade. -..
In few moments he was lying upon
couch In large, cool apartment, with
regimental physician, who had been
hastily summoned, in attendance.
But, unfortunately, the aid had been
sought too late. Before night he was
in burning fever, and by the next day
delirous. [ believe, what he always
asserted, that only the tender, unweary
ing care of his fair young hostess, saved
his life, of which his physician more
than once DIES paired %,
During this illness [ paid him fire.
quent visits The old gentleman, Don
Manuel, appeared to take deep inter
est in his recovery, and the fair Coralie
was generally beside his couch, keep
ing the apartment cool, quiet and dark
ened-bathing his forehead, or gently
tanning him. These two, with three
female servants, were the only inmates
of the house. 50
1t was about this time that the storm
ing of Chapultepec took place. 1t was
a proud day when our brave but Grip
pied and diminished forces took the
castle. and planted the American flag
upon its ramparts. .+
But [ was not among them in that
hour of glory. A bullet in the leg sent
me back on stretcher to my old quar-
tiers at Los Angeles, and for nearly two
months kept me cripple there. ,
In this time Royal had recovered,
and, changing places with me became
! a visitor at my bedside. [ noticed that
change had come over him. He had
acquired more ola grave, manly dignity;
and indeed he confessed freely to me
that 8" love had made man of him, y
chasing away the lingering, Sboyish
brightness and enthusiasm which had
before marked nim at times.
The first time that went out [ made
nv way to Don Manuels. The old man
cordially welcomed me. and led me in
to the garden, where, in the fragrant
shade of an orange tree, sa t my friend
Royal and the fair Coralie, side by