Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-01-28
CHAPTER VIII.


Will spring came news of the cessa,
ton Of Indian hostilities The last band
of Nayljoes had surrendered and been
gathereh to the reservation ON the Rio
Pecos. There being no further use for
the CAMP at Los Wales Grandes, Lieu.
tenant Raymer, the first week in June,
received orders to return to Santa Fe
and reiume duty at Fort Marcy. Ac-
cordingly one evening Of that month
the corbpany marched into tho parade
and took up its old quarters Raymer
was gre Ired cordially by his friends and
congratulated upon his success rs an In.
dian calnpaigner. He returned to his
former Employment. falling rapidly into
the mil Itary and social life OF the terri
torial |pital.
Not ibng after his return he was de.
tailed ,ls officer Of the day and found
himselflagain standing by the sundial,
awaiting the details for guard duty.
Presently the inspiring notes Of the band
burst q pom his ear. and he turned to
witnessi its approach and handsome
hearing and precision Of movement. As
he did sb his glance fell upon the win
dow atlwhich he had first seen Dona
Teresa. No one stood there now.
Following the movement OF the band,
ne grad lally turned his back upon the
palace ahd stood witnessing the arrival
and ALIGNMENT of the detachments. A
light TAPPING attracted him, and turn.
ing again to tho window he saw the OBJ
ject Of bis thoughts, her eyes beaming
with jcIful recognition He could no
more thkn bow ere the officer whom he
was to rblieve summoned him to the re-
viewingjpoint.
The deremony ended and the old
guard rElieved, Raymer started for his
quarters In the center Of the parade he
met the Mexican boy, Ramon Vaca.
"Ah, Ramon. here you are and well
al everlf he exclaimed.
"Yes, lSenor Teniente, l am as well
as beforb was shot, thanks to Senor
Mason. b am on my way to the hospital
to see hi h."
"He has had piece Of good fortune
since returning to the fort and is now
hospital steward, said Raymer.
II he'd lrd of his appointment yester'
day, and he told me he means to be Q
doctor me day"
"Yes, n medical college will have
him on It's roll when his enlistment is
out. Blu what brings you to Santa Fe,
Ramon?t
II am at the San Miguel school. Sc.
nor Vale bcia says l am to be his boy,
and that l must have an education.
For Jour brave conduct in the val
leyg"
'He ii pleased to say so"
"whet te are the Valencias, Ramon
"Herelin Santa Fe.
'Havd they been long in the city,
"A fortnight But they go tomorrow,
and rs My school is out go too.
The l3eutenant perceived an oppor.
tunity which must not be missed Ho
felt sure bf aid from the boy and deter
mined 10 avail himself Of it.
Call At my room, Ramon, when you
rcturn-trst door ON the left Of right
hallway.
"Yes; will be back soon.
The bdy went on, and the officer en-
tered hid quarters, determined to seek
an inter S;iew with Teresa. A few mo-
ments laEr he had prepared the follow
ing note:
II hayb just met the Chevalier Ra'
mon, and he tells ne that you are to
leave in }he morning. Is it not possible
for you tb meet me this evening? You
know | have heard nothing from you
since january. intend this afternoon
TO make 4 rInal call at the palace, and
if do n,t find you in the parlors shall
ask perm mlssion 10 see you. II refused,
trust you will bc able to manage it.
regret being obliged to counsel this, but
there ma: be no other way"
The in had scarcely dried when the
boy retmbed.
Now. Ramon" began the lieuten-
ant, II " ant you to take this letter to
Dona TERESA Are You willing?"
eyes. br, l will take il, was the un.
hesitatinA response.
"ThaI t you, Ramon. / expected You
would, aid, remember, deliver it to no
one but II iona Teresa. ! shall be about
the garris |on or plaza all day, so if there
Is any reilly YOU can easily find me.
"Yes, lsir; l will report to you
whether there is a reply or not "
Ramon departed, and the young Off
Ger passed. the day until midafternoon
somewhat anxiously. At 8 O'Clock he
went TO the palace and sent his card to
the ladie! A servant showed him into
the parlo.E. and presently the governors
wife and Sonora Valencia entered,
greeting linn kindly. The latter paid
him maIE compliments and thanked
him for the aid he had rendered her
daughter ION several recent occasions.
Evidently she was grateful and desired
him to kEbw it,
Emboldened by her kindness, Raymer
asked il Ne might see his former guest.
The mothtr regretted that it would be
impossible. Teresa was busy with dress
makers a-Id milliners, preparing for her
marriage, (which was soon to take place.
As they phrposed leaving Santa Fe OH
the morrlw, the time could not be
spared, aph she begged he would excuse
her.
RaymeI thought he discovered under
this reserve genuine sympathy for
him which it was difficult for Ia sonora
to hold inI check. Still he did not feel
encouraged to plead his cause, and at
the close II a general discussion of conn.,
monplaced left, much disheartened.
Arrivee.sat the post, he found Ramon
sitting onl the veranda, with note for
him. Rec ehesting the boy to wait, he
entered hill sitting room, broke the seal
and read sE follows:
AT rHR PALACE.
DEAR PHILIP-I will meet you at IN the
representative chamber. You will find Ra-
mon awaiting you ON the portal at the outer
cntrance. TERESA.
The lieutenant rejoined the boy on
the veraneh and asked him il he under
stood the arrangement for this evening.
"Yes, sit, in the hali Of the represent
atives, at 8 O'Clock, was the reply.
"Then rlease tell your mistress that.
being ofiic!r Of the day. ] must visit the
guard at that hour and cannot come un-
til little later"
81 will tell her. sir, and ! will be
waiting fof you
The boy lwent away, leaving Raymer
to read ami reread Teresa's note and
bong for f,b slow hours to pass away.
pro,nntlk uy,on the Close Of his flutieg