Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1894-02-28

Out III 1llulI. he 1ldu Cut6IltS lICSIIf
ness and facility of expression and spoke
with the Quick, falling infection and
directness cf the English in speech one
so quickly igarns to love. He was me-
chunically ruling double red ink lines
in ii book V ere life S account of serv-
ices had l;fl credited and closed much
as Il hanlI ok is ruled when a state
ment is r,l.; cred from lalance struck.
The words lied'' or ''desarted placed
in red ink in the small space below
showed the cause of closing for service
abruptly terminated TIL, usual remark
was Discli rged by expiration term Of
servicc" in lack ink
g. erai; and whose will 10 the
next blcody DE- " asked I.ci; hton.
witlcut Il g of feeling.
There ii be plenty OF EN- ii this
blooming heat continues and we remain
in this camp l replied.
And DO you suppose the devil will
ever want Il transcript from Murray's
court marti.l record?" Murray had
been an exc lent troop blacksmith. but
most coist.n Mt drunkard, 80 his record
was Il full &c.
IF he Goos, Murray won't draw
brimstono lieror for year, replied.
II he lad ill be none tie worst fer
that, for surely here he had most con-
suming thirst.
We were VIZ rking at this official fu-
neral in the sultry summer night by the
unsteady light of lantern candles and
were not feeling impressed or reverent.
Leighton was in his undershirt, open at
his handsome brown throat. AS he
leaned over the books at work locket
from his bosom fell the slack of its gold
chain and struck the desk.
| noticed it, and he tool, it off, hand
ing it to me with Indifference. He had
opened the locket, revealing the por-
trait, which was that of a fresh young
girl-one of those sweet English faces
whose charm is complexion and express
sion of confidence complete. The eyes
arrested pathetic, soft brown eyes,
so tender they seemed to reproach. and
as you changed your point of view of
the miniature followed you with their
full, warm llglt have seen such af-
fectionate light only in the brown eyes
of faithful dogs watching those they
love.
Seeing my more than casual notice of
the portrait, Leighton added: Its an
old story, not worth the telling Idon't
know why keep it. -
He spoke with the same absent inter-
est we were feeling over this work for
the dead. 1t ST. uck me as peculiar that
in romance &C accomplished there should
be no trace either of bitterness OF re-
morse, only weary Indifference. | was
so quickly fascinated by the face that
Leighton manner annoyed me, and
did not ask him for the story. Possibly
overhead makes men irritable, for some
how ! resented this careless fellow
wearing about him Il face like that with
less interest than he wore his spurs. l
did not then notice the resemblance of
the face to Leighton
stopped abruptly and thought of de-
sertion, changing the conversation to
this the subject cf my days. musing.
Leighton. something's got to be
done to relieve the pressure. know
the lieutenant would like to do So He
feels the pulse OF this camp and knows
the symptoms. But what can he do
his orders to remain here are impera-
tive, and he can't pass Us across the
line. -
Hunting leave" laughed Leighton.
Hunting leave, then, let it be, :"
replied, with 10 questions asked as to
game or preserve, though can tell
what yours will be, you young devil!
Tomorrow make out a hunting pass for
six" Leighton was humming catchy
service ballad that had appeared in Lon
don music halls the year before and did
not reply.
Next morning | presented with the
report four days hunting pass for six
men. The lieutenant dipped his pen in
the ink and held it in contemplation for
moment above the place for signature,
looking thoughtfully across the level
plain. Then with quick decision, II
wish, sergeant, you and Leighton would
take hunting pass and let no complica-
tions arise He signed the pass, add
ing our names to the text.
The following evening found us all
in Correlitos. After dinner, while
smoking fragrant Vuelta Abajo of the
"Zona Libra" | strOlled through the
narrow streets OF his old Spanish town
watching the wealth of "A western sun
set, where the afterglow was fast fad
ing. High above he mountain tops lay
great pillows Of ruSset fame, with crests
like the manc of n wind famed prairie
fire. Lower in the madre spread the
pure deep purple of southern twilight,
while from the foothills came the soft
evening breeze horn after the heat of
day. Even sounds fell on the ear so
gently you thought that before reaching
you they must have loitered to bathe in
the acequia and caught some of its mur-
muir.
On the plaza passed two groups Of
comrades, one seeking solace in brandy,
the other fortene in roulette, pleasant
pastimes that might lead to 'compiica
tions'' while money lasted and would
bear light watching.
l walked on to the Jardin de Orc, a
small public park, where serenaders
are inspired and Ii 5eners stroll or seat
themselves on benches or the grass.
Only those who lave suffered the heat
and glare Of cG,lpaign in the desert
can form any idea Of the physical lux
ury of green trees nd of water. | was
seated listening to le soft Indian Span
ish as it fell aboU. me III slow chatter
From afar it lni-9i9d with the murmur
of the fountain.
What contrast th;s scene to the hot
camp had just le*t. where were heard
only the whir OF tie rattlesnalle or the
insistent cooling OF | he lonely turtle dove
-mournful sound; which seem to add
to the vibrant heat Above the noun
tains lay zone Of troubled white, from
which the moon had now risen into the
full, upper blue. causing the leaves
overhead to cast shadows in arabesque
on the grass at my feet, where as the
night breeze stirred the foliage it wove
marvellous figures il trefoil and tracery
for fancy to play with as with those
made by flames i'll CRATE. Now 1t was
the lines of gothic window seen in an
old cathedral and almost forgotten and
now on grander scale the design of deli
cate drawn work recalled from my