The Dupuyer acantha. [volume] (Dupuyer, Mont.) 1894-1904, 1897-09-16
loves Sacrifice.

On q hot June night the Spanish
army lay ehcamped not far from Ha-
vana. The only sound heard was thu
slow, measured tread of the sentinels.
The silence of the Eight was suddenly
disturbed by the sound of a step ap-
preaching. The sentinel called;
Halt! Who goes thereE"
"Friend," answered a voice, giving
the countersign.
The sentinel lowered his musket and
allowed the newcomer to pass. The
lieutenant, for such was his rank,
passed on to the %culonels headquar-
tiers to report the success of a danger
Gus mission. AS the light fell OIL him
1t disclosed the feG lures of a young
"a whose face impressed an observ-
er as that of a person possessed Of a
determined character and & noble ma
turc.
After giving his report he retired to
his tent, to be awakened in a few
hours by a merry voice, exclaiming:
"Hola, Enrique, what joy to see
thee safe! Now tell me all the news"
The lieutenant graspcl cordially the
hand of the young man who addressed
him and said:
Il an very glad to see you. Ricardo.
for | am sad at heart
"unburden your heart to me, dear
con1rade," said Ricardo.
Enrique answered by relating the
following:
six months ago, when sent on a
dangerous mission to CienfuegOs, I
was introduced to a beautiful Cuban
girl, Juanlta Gomez, the daughter of a
merchant who remained true to Spain.
Surprising she shared her fathers sent
iments, l sought every opportunity to
see her, for 1 was madly in love.
Finally l declared myself, but she re-
fused me, saying she would rather die
II wed an enemy of her beloved
Cuba; h further assured me that she
was betrothed to a captain in the in
Surgent army.
You can imagine my anguish; life
seems unendurable; for this reason, l
have sought death in every engage
ment and begged permission to per-
form the most dangerous services. l
am an orphan, and nc n will grieve
Mt my DEATH"
Afer n few moments Enrique said,
to change the conversation:
"Oh, Ricardo, how unjust the world
is! Some nations, although considered
friendly to us, still seem to have all
their ~sympathieS for the Cuban rebels,
not any. or very little, for the Span
iards, who deserve it fully as much.
We are here, far from our beloved
country, breathing a p~estilential at
mosphere, our numbers decreasing by
yellow fever and other diseases; sur
rounded by enemies who will seldom
mont ~ In oman xryo W. nxyo
know when some t~reacherous bullet
from an unexpected quarter will end
our lives, not as we desire, but as the
victims of hidden shots.
How many mothers i'll far-off,
beautiful Spain will forever mou the
loss of perhaps an only son, without
even the consolation of o grave to Wis
it and weep over We also deserve
the worlds sympathy as human he
ings, irrespective of difference of opin-
ions. Spain, once so pow. rful, is now
in great trouble. and it does no nation
honor to strike the unfortunate"
Ricardo was about to reply, when
he heard some unusual commotion,
and, on seeking the cause, SAY a
young and handsome a travel
stained and weary, who said that he
had just escaped from tie insurgents,
who held his bcotters us prisoners.
He wished to join the Spanish army
and avenge the capture of his broth
ors. 1t could be seen that he was a
gentleman, and he was readily be-
lieved.
The next morning when all were as
semhlcd it was discovered that the
young stranger was missing. and 1t
was at once surmised that he was d
Cuban spy. This caused the greatest
anxiety, MS they knew that their
position and number of men would be
communicated to the ereny.
Before the day was over they were
attacked by the irSrrgents, who found
them, however, well prepared. The
Spanish army was victorious and took
a number of prisoners, among them
being the young stranger of the day
before. He wore a captains epaulets,
and his pallid face showed that he
realized Ills fate.
He was kept closely guarded, and
the next day was condemned to be
shot at sunset.
Some time before the hour set for
his death Enrique was approached by
an orderly who said that a lady de-
sired to see him. He gave orders to
have her brought to his tent and
when she appeared, discovered that 1t
was his beloved Juanita, the beautiful
Cuban girl.
When she saw him she clasped her
hands and, with tears of agony run
ming down her checks, implored him
to intercede for her lover, Capt. Bar.
rera. She said that if his love was
really true and disiHterested Ne could
prove it now by this noble deed. En-.
riQue's face turned white as death at
her words, and he answered.:
"Senorita, l would give my life to
serve you, but what you ask is almost
impossible, and l have no power to
alter the sentence; still, l promise You
to do what l can"
Juanita grasped his hand in graft.
tude and left the place consoied.
After she had left Enrique sat with
bowed head deep in thought. Sudden
ly he jumped up with a look of deter
minatiOn, and then sat down again
and wrote two letters.
At sunset Capt Barrera was brought
out and placed in position to meet his
death. Although very pale, not q
culver betrayed fear. He was goinl
to his death like a brave nan
The soldiers lined up with theil
muskets ready for the given signal
Enrique was Inere LOOKING on, anC
just as the signal was given, and he
fore any one could prevent him, he
placed himself in front of the doomed
man and received the volley in his
nuyn In6r fa1linn I'm, prndi1tn1y I