Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-11-19
m rur wrFNy RIFF Fc1OR ABILENE KANSAS NOVEMBER 49, 096-wEVE PAGES

she W0ulQ tell nlm. licu HS "VuA"
know how she loved him. Then she
would be happy. Wait, wait! Alas
alas, Chonital
Already, though she knew 1t 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. A maiden with eyes as
blue as his own, whose feet had always
trodden sedately. He had never really
loved before; ali, nol'Y
Chonita watched him jealousy. Iii
the brief times Of peace, when the war
for a 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 fiercely,
madly; to dance till her brain should
reel. and she should fall exhausted, ul'
conscious. Patience, Chonita; soon
comes the end. .
There came a night Of horror AT
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
pry 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 o.
her countrymen the maid he had kissed
He could not reach her, and they were
dragging her away. Chonita's eyes
glowed. If she were gone the old love
would return. She would kneel at HI
feet, show him her wounds; ah, surely
then he would remember. The dew
whispered in her heart, and for mo
ment she listened willingly. Then sh'
saw the anguish on the face she loved
and with one last despairing look, sh'
sprang forward. Fiercely she Tough
them back, freeing their captive Sh'
dragged her to place Of shelter ai'' {
standing before her defended her Will
the fury Of lioness until help coul'
reach them.
Was it for this she had left her home
Was it for this she had followed MN
Was It for this she had suffered? lie
ewes were blinded, she grew dizzy ne
strength faltered. Courage; they ar
coming! A dozen hands are on her
CHEEKY voices sound in her ears; stronI
arms support her. Too late! too late
Beyond their praise or blame she lie
wounded unto death by those VII
would have died for her! Farewell
Chonita!
Little feet, dance no more; tho
must be quiet now through all etel
nifty. Lips, thou dost not feel the kisse
: of anguish which he, knowing all to
late thy faithfulness, showers upo
; thee. Eyes, thou canst not raise Tn
dark, fringed curtains to see the teall
he sheds for thee. All, Chonita' 10y
lies thy head! Never more Will I'll
old city ring with thy name NeVe
more will thy laughing face lure ME
to love thee! Yet in the soft moor
: light evenings shall be sung IN
story of thy love, for thou wei
faithful. Not for thy beauty, thy wol
drous grace, thy cruelty, do they r.
member thee, but for thy death *
= loves sweet sake. Sleep well, Chonita
! Radiant, beautiful as herself, thel
grows on the grave Of Chonita the pa
sion flower. Never dropping, nevt
! fading, year by year it climbs hlgh'
: under the cloudless skies. Ills the sol
of the maiden, which, not pure enous
: to enter Heaven was yet, by virtue
v her love and faith, saved from etern
+ punishment. The sun and the son'
y wind kiss it lovingly, and its beauty
u unsurpassed. But some day the bio
= SONS will wither and fall to the grouh
Then will the soul Of Chonita emit
a Heaven, and her sins be forgiven her,
6 Leslies illustrated Monthly.
IL