Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1895-07-03


reticent person as the old lady"
81 will try to be more communicative
in future, Mr.. Raymer. Come, Jenny;
let us go to my cabin"
LET me exchange cabins with you,
Miss Valencia" urged the lieutenant,
following his departing guest to the
door. "This is much the most comfort
able and convenient
''Thank you, but my own is very
cozy and will do for the few days I
shall remain here. Besides, you know,
ell comandante should have the best
quarters. -
Mot at the expense of lady's COM
fort" replied Raymer. "It will take
but few moments for the men to pre-
pare for all exchange"
'Thank you, but my present quarters
are good enough. am perfectly salts
fed"
"Will you dine with me, please?"
Hesitatingly, eyes, thank you.
Teresa took up the long cloak which
had hitherto concealed her features and
started with Jenny for her cabin, but
the lieutenant observed that she did not
now throw the hood over her head, nor
did she again affect the decrepit gait OF
stopping form, but walked with maiden
grace, her blond tresses exposed to the
winter breeze.
The sentinel at the guardhouse was
surprised out of his soldierly equanimi-
ty as the young woman passed along
the path. He halted and faced outward,
and the lieutenant half expected him to
present arms, but he recovered himself
and walked on with suppressed whis-
tie of astonishment.
Through sentinel and laundress it was
soon known throughout the camp that
La Sonora Vieja had been miraculously
transformed into beautiful and grace
full maiden.
Half all hour later Jenny appeared
at the officers cabin with the request
from her mistress that he would accom-
pany her to the bedside of the wounded
boy, Ramon, thing she had been una
BILE to do in her character Of an old
woman. Raymer replied that he would
be pleased to do so at once and sent
Cain to notify the boy and his nurse OF
the proposed call. A little later the Off
Ger and lady stood at the bedside. AS
Teresa stopped over Ramon extended
his thin hand to clasp hers and said
feebly in his mother tongue:
."Ah, Dona Teresa, you have revealed
yourself.
"Yes, Ramon, by silly accident
but perhaps fortunate one -
II think it better, my mistress. Ell
comandante and the soldiers are brave
men and kind"
"But, my poor Ramonito, how you
have suffered in aiding me! You are
very brave. "
cit was nothing, dona. 1t is privi-
lege to be wounded in your service. "
"Gallantly said, my lad, q" interrupt
ed Raymer. "You are born chevalier. "
"He is indeed, Mr.. Raymer, said
Teresa. "He took fearful risk when
he left Los Ojos Frios for the valley,
volunteering when the men refused. "
"It was nothing, dona. You needed
help, and quickly"
Nothing to risk your life for ours?
I am very proud of you, Ramon, and
you shall be my brother always. How
thin and worn you are!' and the young
lady cast look of inquiry toward Ma
son, whom she recognized as the chief
attendant. She hesitated to put her
question in words for fear the answer
would be unfavorable, but the soldier
read her thoughts and said i'll English
to the lieutenant:
"You can tell her, sir, that there is
little doubt but the boy will get we'll
and III time recover the use of his leg.
He is weak and thin from homesickness
and the great loss of blood"
"Thank you, DOCTOR" said Teresa in
the same tongue. 'That is good news.
I feared he might not survive his
wound"
1T was close call, miss, but I did
my best, and the boys pluck and con-
stitution have done more. "
"How long before he can travel, doc
tor?''
"Beg pardon, miss, but you give me
a title to which I have no claim. l am
plain Private Mason of the army" "
"Are the men of the army usually so
skilled in the treatment of broken
limbs?" asked the puzzled Teresa.
"Mason, Miss Valencia" )" replied the
lieutenant, "did considerable service in
field hospitals the two first years of the
war, acquiring good practical knowl-
edge of gunshot wounds. He has been
of great use to US in the valley
"When do you think Ramon can be
moved, Mr.. Mason?''
MAY I correct you again, Miss Va
lencia? I have as little right to be called
mister as doctor. That title in the army
belongs exclusively to the lieutenants.
About the boy, I think he can leave the
camp in a month if he can 60 in car
riage."
The conversation was here interrupt
ed by the appearance of Cain, who an
nounced that dinner was ready. The
lieutenant conducted his companion to
his cabin, where plates were set for two.
The valleys abound in game, and the
commissary storeroom hung with veni-
- l>os,- 1fyh