The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-07-04

removed the gag than he turned to me
with a grave face. 1T is Donna San
chez?" he said, inquiringly When I
krow what had become Of her. But how
came she in your charge? Why this
secrecy? Who are you?"
"As for that, father, she Is pris-
oner, and while was willing to fetch
the church to her was not willing to
surrender her person. nor my own. for
that matter, to the rebels at Ell Liber-
tad"
Let US make haste" was all the an
swer he made, nor did he say anything
more during the remainder OF our jour-
ney. In fact, our pace was not good
one to encourage conversation, ana l
doubt II the churchman was accus-
toned to such violent exercise. When
we finally reached the hut SapporteE
saluted and said:
"AN has been quiet. general, but you
have come none to soon, for l think
she is only waiting for the consultations
Of the holy church"
I went into the hut with the Padre,
and the dying woman turned to me a
face that was pitifully white. even In
the glare of the smoking torch that
Sapportez had placed at the doorway.
The poor creatures great eyes were SO
full Of gratitude that my heart smote
me for having been the cause OF her
wound. OF all the foes that have slam
or caused to be slain during my lie OF
warfare I never regretted one so mucn.
Crossing the cabin to her side, knelt
and placed my hand on her forehead.
She took it in hers and attempted 10
kiss it, but I would not allow that, put
bent over and kissed her brow instead
for the sake of her father, the compan-
ion in arms that loved. So l left her
with the priest.
In the early dawn the padre came
out from the hovel, and there were
traces of tears in his young face.
"She is gone" he said, quietly; then.
holding out his hand. added; "Senor
General, l thank you for apductihs
me-"
II need the church's pardon for tha'
violence, Padre"
THAT is granted. And now tell me,
will YOU add to the kindness already
done and permit us to bury herr"
That required thought. To have let
her go back alive, though In the throes
of death. would have been to invite
concealment Of her death and leave her
name still a terror to our people; but
now with her end so attested, there
could be no objection. Still. / was
willing to shape the conclusion OF the
affair so as best to serve the ihleieta
of the king The padre was waiting
patiently for my answer.
"If at noon tomorrow an escort iioi'
FL Iibertad comes with a nag OF .ruoe
and requires the body 1t VIII De aeiN
cred at the further end OF the priose,
This was the reply finally maze " hie
request. ,.,,.5
The time agreed upon had not arrived
when Gen. Maduro and large detacn-
wont were in position with such MIL
;,orv nornp as our circumstances per-
nitted. and the chieftainess lay III
.toto awaiting the escort with the nag
of truce. At noon the party appeareu
with the little Padre and some ois
nitary of the city in the lead anu oe-
tween them the flag. In the distance
there was a crowd of people with many
women among them. wailing so that
v-e could hear their lamentations ABOVE
the brawling Of the Aqua Alta.
We delivered the body as had agreed
and with all possible ceremony and re-
spect. To this Maduro had consented
with difficulty and sorely against MS
will: but when. on the following day.
another flag followed. resulting IN ne,
gotiations and the capitulations OF =,
Iibertad, he embraced me and would
have it that had done alone what ne
and all his army had failed to do. AS l
had said, Maduro's nature was not
small nor his disposition jealous.
By my front door Is a settee where
Pepeta sits with her Spanish lace EN-
broidery, while in my armchair STUDY
some authority on fruit culture or the
care of roses. There we were the day
after my return from the shortest cam
paign of my life, and l was telling
Pepeta the story have written here.
As I told 1t the tears dropped on her
lace and on her hand, and I could not
see her eyes, but the lashes were wet ON
her cheeks.