Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-05-02

suit and his lovers Tears set at rest.
Duly, too, did pepe make the appoint
|ment for thav evening when the ac-
|cepted sutton was TO be presented to
the family. The family We're assem-
bled in the sala, or drawing room, and
Pope formally presented his friend to
Senior Sanchez, the sonora and the senor-
ita. Then Rafael sat at one end of the
long room talking to his guardian, while
Elodia took her place by her mother at
the other end A peon girl. full of sup
pressed giggles and visible interest,
served cigars and fire to the gentlemen,
and later on wine.
1t not being etiquette for Rafael to
stay very long during this first visit, and
the sonora and her son being conserva-
tive folk, loving the old traditions, it
was not long before the lover found him
self in the street with Elodia on the low
balcony above him; but now he stood
where he could touch her hand and the
whispers could go to and fro in the per-
fumed stiffness of the night The next
day Sonora Cordoba called on Sonora
Sanchez, and the day following the call
was returned. Then the engagement
was announced and Rafael was at lib
erty to call on Senior Sanchez every even
ing, and smoke in the sala while Elodia
sat demurely by her mothers side and
listened as she worked on her embroid-
cry. l fancy that the later half hour,
when the benevolent balcony played its
part, was the sweeter to both.
The news of the war came thick and
fast, and with it rumors of government
disaster. Pope could no longer be re-
strained, and although Rafael was in a
heaven of two the calls Of patriotism be-
gan to be heard. There was no opposi-
ton from his mother; she looked for the
glory of the fathers name for her be-
loved son. Senior Sanchez was satisfied
the boys, as be called them, should go,
and although Elodia wept when she was
alone, she said no word to discourage
the man Of her choice. The heroic
echoes of the war of independence were
yet sounding loudly in the hearts of all,
and she was jealous of Rafaers name.
1t should never be said, she thought,
that he alone staid at home. So the
animals were saddled, the saddlebags
packed, and accompanied by their peon
servants and a fair contingent of volun-
teers the young men started.
In one thing Senior Sanchez had his
way, and his wife being deprived of the
accustomed support of her son had to
yield. Rafael saw his betrothed alone
for nearly three hours the day before he
left. What took place between them l
do not know, and if did should think
1t too sacred to repeat here. When Ra-
fael left the house, he probably knew as
he never knew before the depth of a
woman's love. while Elodia went to her
room and kneeling prayed until far into
the night. Prayed for him who loved
her, prayed that he might win honor and
do his duty, prayed that the blessed
saints would care for him and protect
him, prayed that whatever might come
to her, to him might be given every
good thins. Who shall sound the agony
of such a prayer?
1t was in September, 1910, that the two
Young men reached Bogota The name
OF Manuel Cordoba was one to conjure
with when heard by Gen. Herran or
Senior Mosquera, the minister of war.
and these, VINO had known and loved
and honored the father, welcomed Rafael
warmly. Pepe, too, produced a most
favorable impression, and captains COM
missions We're found for both within
twenty-four hours. With the deepest
emotion Rafael visited the spot where
his father had been murdered in the
first days of the war of determination.
and to his excited imagination the
ground on which had stood MoriIlo's
awful bench-El Banqui1lo-smelled of
blood as he stopped and kissed it. There
his father had died for liberty, and he,
too, was there to give his life if need be
for his country.
The work with their companies and,
in fact, with themselves, left Rafael ard
Pope but little time for anything but the
preparations for the battle which was
expected soon, while the military talk
and the excitement of the camp had a
strange effect on Rafael Always nerv-
Gus and enthusiastic, he seemed like a
crazy man at times, and Pepe, accus-
toned as he was to his moods, looked at
him sometimes IN amazement. His one
bSc44 W fto " hS1Ls anu VI lllS ne Talked
nearly all the time.
AT last the day came and with it the
battle of Puente Grande, which practi-
cally ended the revolution of the gov
ernors." Under Herran the government
troops marched out of Bogota to the
bridge, and there after hard fight de-
feated the enemy. This was on the 2Sth
of October, 1S40
At his own request, preferred to Gen.
Herran, Rafael had been promised a
chance to lead at least one charge if
any should be made. A company of the
enemy had taken up position behind
low wall, to the left as you go westward
from the bridge, and from this cover
were annoying the government troops
with a CALLING fire. Gen. Herran decided
that at ali cost they must sbe dislodged.
In their position they could not be
fanked, and there was but one thing to
do-charge on them over the wall. Mind