The Forrest City times., 1896-08-14
FORREST CITY, ARK, FRIDAY AFTERNOON AUG a. 1896

The days passed quickly-ah, ro
quickly! Then over the sunny land
broke the dark storm of war. Awakened
from their dreams, forgetting love,
their idol, all, save their country, Mex
lco.s sons responded to her call At the
first whisper of the coming strife, the
stranger, too, FASTENED away; his coun-
try also demanded aid; and with him.
but all unknown to him, went Chonita
for loves sweet sake.
Disguised as his servant, her lovely
face darkened with dyes, her beautiful
hair cut short, through all the hard
times that came she followed him. Her
little feet that had danced so merrlly
rested in the stirrups night and day.
Many time her life stood between him.
Many time her hand, once covered
with jewels, showered upon her by the
passionate sons of her native land,
turned aside their flashing swords lest
they should harm him.
Naught did she care for peril or pri-
vation. All would she bear, though
reared like tender flower
Only to be near him, to look upon him,
even If all unknown. Only to hear from
his lips the careless praise a master
gives servant. She, the adored; she,
whose kisses he had once begged for.
All, we'll. Soon it would be over, soon
she would tell him. Then he would
know how she loved him. Then she
would be happy. Wait, wait! Alas.
alas! Chonita!
Already, though she knew it not.
he had forgotten her and the days gone
by. Already there had crept into his
heart love more pure, more holy. A
maiden of his own land had won him
with her gentle ways. A maiden whom,
when Texas should be free, he would
call his wife. maiden with eyes as
blue as his own, whose feet had always
trodden sedately. He had never really
loved before; ah, no!
Chonita watched him jealously. lii
the brief times of peace, when the war
for little space lulled its fury, she
would hold his horse for hours before
the little house covered with vines.
patient, though her eyes burned. All
for loves sweet sake. All, Chonita, love
is cruel! Many have died of it for thee! /!
At last she saw the maid. Saw him,
linger and kiss her at the door, while
the silver moonlight flooded the gar
den. The days were never the same
after that. The noisy camp wearied
her. All, she longed for the old city.
She longed for the lights. the music.
the applause, the roses showered at
her feet. She longed to dance fercely
madly: to dance till her brain should
reel. and she should fall exhausted, uu-
conscious. Patience. Chonita: soon
comes the end.
There came a night of horror. Al
last the walls were down, and over the
fallen stones poured the invaders. Into
the thickest of the fight she followed
him. Many times she threw herself
between him and the flashing death.
Many time her hand was stained with
the blood of those who had kissed It,
Many a time she forced back the hun
CRY steel that threatened him. Weary
and wounded, all, all for him, hoping
that shot or shell would still her aching
heart. Chonita, Chonita! who would
know thee now?
Suddenly she saw in the hands OF
her countrymen the maid he had kissed.
He could not reach her, and they We're
dragging her away. Chonita's eyes
glowed. II she were gone the old love
would return. She would kneel at his
| feet, show him her wounds; an, surely
then he would remember. The devil
| whispered in her heart, and for q mo-
ment she listened willingly. Then she
saw the anguish on the face she loved,
and with one last despairing look, she
sprang forward. Fiercely she fought
them back, freeing their captive. She
dragged her TO place of shelter, and
standing before her defended her with
the fury of lioness until help could
reach them.
Was it for this she had left her home :?
Was it for this she had followed him?
| Was il for this she had suffered? Her
eyes were blinded, she grew dizzy, her
strength faltered. Courage; they are
coming. A dozen hands are on her;
CHEEKY voices sound in her ears; strong
arms support her. Too late! too late, !,
Beyond their praise or blame she lies
wounded unto death by those who
would have died for her! Farewell,
| Chonita!
| Little feet, dance no more; thou
must be quiet nov through all eter-
nifty. Lips, thou dost not feel the kisses
of anguish which he, knowing all too
late thy faithfulness, showers upon
thee. Eyes, thou canst not raise thy
| dark, fringed curtains to see the tears
he sheds for thee. All, Chonita! low
lies thy head! Never more will the