Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1878-08-28

~~SS'S AANh6AS iOOSO lIOul Ills
He was little pale, but greeted Us
cheerfully, and assured us that his
wound was "of no Consequences
bullet tlesh-wound merely" He had
received it early in the action, but hav-
ing his sword-arm safe, had hastily
bandaged the wound, disdaining to leave
the field till it was won.
He, like myself, was young man,
not over four-and twenty, and was brave,
handsome, and full Of knightly dar-
ing and enthusiasm.
We had been college-chums, and this
tie had since been strengthened into a
warm friendship by the brotherhood Of
a 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 low, single-storied build
ing, with flat roof surmounted by a
low parapet, and stood 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 flag of truce There was
something so suggestive in the sight
so refined and poetic in the thing itself
that we each Involuntary uttered an
exclamation of interest, and Captain
Royal said:
Il would defend that house against
my generals order to pillage and burn
it. That token l know must belong to
one who is lovely and refined.
We watched the window, but no one
appeared. Presently a bugalcall sound
ed, and a 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 dignifed
in his appearance, showed himself at
the window whence hung the white
handkerchief.
l 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
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 form faultless in its ex-
quisite proportions-these made up
picture which we'll justified my friends
enthusiastic exclamation. flF
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 l 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
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 perceived the rich crimson
mantling eloquently beneath the bronze
of her cheek.
Turning to Royal, with 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.
Water!" l 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
a couch in large, cool apartment, with
a regimental physician, who had been
hastily summoned, in attendance.
But, unfortunately, the aid had been
sought too late. Before night he was
in a 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, say ed
his life, of which his physician more
than once DIES paired.
During this illness l 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.