The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1895-03-28

"There are three who answer to that
description. When did you see her?'
cat guard mounting yesterday and
today young lady stood at the window
overlooking the sundial. She appeared
to be about 1S or 10, fair haired, black
eyed, of delicate complexion, graceful
figure"-7
"You might as we'll give me the 'po-
sition of soldier, interrupted Reed.
"Tell me what she wore. ;"
"I think, said Raymer thoughtful
", ''she wore q creamy dress, light
blue sash, q rebozo of broad yellow and
black stripes, with fringe Of same col
ors"-
"Cross and rosary Of jet and gold?"
again interrupted Reed. Maltese cross
Of Mexican filigree in sashe"
eyes"
eft was Dona Teresa Valencia She
is from Albuquerque and is one of the
cousins. She will graduate at the con-
vent school this summer.
"Do you know her?"
81 know her by sight, having seen
her at the palace windows as you have.
and I have also seen her riding with
Colonel Stockton and his wife. Mrs.
Stockton calls at the governors and
knows all the young ladies, but she
must be under some promise to the con-
vent sisters to keep us youngsters aloof,
for we have never been able to manage
an introduction.
"Does she never speak Of Miss valen-
cia?"
eyes, frequently. Says Dona Teresa
is brilliant and accomplished, speaks
Spanish and English equally we'll, is
we'll read in ancient and modern litera-
ture, reads French, plays, sings and
draws and is gentle and sweet-an angel
with wings just sprouting, I suppose.
Mrs. Stockton makes herself miserable
over the thought that 80 much concen-
trated sweetness and excellence are to
be wasted upon a monte playing, bull
failing Mexican, for it is reported that
q matrimonial bargain has already been
made between the girls parents and
those Of q cheap fellow in Las Lunas,
named Ortega-a oowardly scamp Of no
account whatever. Has money, that's
all. Mrs. Stockton further says that if
she was young American gentleman
she would make it the object Of her life
to win this treasure
"Why have none of you tried it?"
asked Raymer.
because there are American girls
with prior claims upon us, I suppose,
was the reply. II can answer for my
self to that effect Even if the daring
young American should be found, how
is he to break through oil the barriers
that hedge this beauty from the ordinary
methods of lovemaking?"
'Love is said to laugh at looksmiths,
replied Raymer.
The conversation was here interrupted
by messenger asking Lieutenant
Reeds presence at the adjutant's Office,
and Raymer was left to ponder over
what he had learned and to speculate
upon the possibilities Of forming an &C.
quaintance with the girl who had inter-
ested him 80 much.
For week the lieutenant daily
haunted the sundial, but not once in the
seven days that his eyes sought the pal
ace windows did he see any members Of
the household, except the servants who
busted the castings and polished the
panes.
Early next morning Raymer was sent
on detached service, from which he did
not return until late on the following
Saturday. Sunday morning he deter
mined to attend church at the cathedral,
and at the usual hour entered the east
ern door Of the transept. The congrega-
tion was already assembled and seated
upon the floor in rows after the Mexican
manner. Neither pew nor bench was
there, except two rows of seats in the
recess behind him, and those were oc-
cupied by scholars Of the convent. He
found the prospect Of standing, con-
spicuous figure. through long service,
anything but pleasant. He could not
persuade himself to sit upon his heels,
as did the Thousand devout worshipers
about him.
While looking uneasily about and
pondering his rather uncomfortable sit
uation he recognized the face of Teresa
Valencia. She was dressed in the plain
garb prescribed by the convent regula-
tions, brown gown and white sunbon-
net. At that moment an acolyte ap-
preached from the chancel bearing q
chair and said:
''The compliments of his lordship
the bishop. Here is chair for the gen.
tleman -
The lieutenant accepted the courtesy
with thanks and seated himself before
the double line of schoolgirls.
Philip Raymer was not communi-
cant of the church before whose altar
he now sat. He was a descendant Of an
old New England family of the Angli-
can faith. He had graduated from q
good college and at the outbreak of the
civil war was q Junior member of legal
firm. His preparation for college had
been pursued at a boys military school,
where he had acquired soldierly bear
ing and creditable knowledge Of in
fantry drill and tactics. He offered his
services at the first call for troops and
was made captain Of company in q
good regiment. After continuous serv-