The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-10-27
THE MAJORS BRIDE.
BY ED F. KENNEDY.


Puebla, q young couple were carrying on
a conversation which seemed to be of great
interest," to them. The one a young fell
low wearing the uniform of the United
States army, was saying, Though you
confess that you love me you still declare
that you cannot marry me?''
"Yes," said the other sadly, a beautiful
young Mexican girl, 81 love you, but I
cannot be your wife. have promised my
hand to my cousin, to whom my father
owes more than he can pay. But he has
promised that If marry him he will can
eel the debt, taking me in exchange. I
hate him." she continued ferceIy, 'but I
must keep my word
"But,' said the young man impetuous-
", ''this barter and sale is barbarous
Can't you be made to reconsider your de-
cisionP''
''No,' said the maiden despairingly, sit
Is impossible We must part, and do not
make our parting harder for me to bear
by your reproaches."
Several months previous, just after the
American army had entered Puebla on it's
victorious march to the capital, Captain
Robert Reynolds had been able to perform
a notable service for Senior Garcia, a Mex
lean of reputed wealth, and his daughter
Inez. One day while out driving the Sc
nor's carriage horses became frightened
by the maneuvers of a company of SOL
diers, and twisting suddenly threw the
coachman from his seat and started at full
speed down the road. Captain Reynolds,
seeing the danger, rushed into the street,
and grasping the maddened horses by the
bits after a severe fight succeeded in stop
ping them. The senior was voluble in his
thanks and in his praise of the young
Americans courage, but far more accep-
table to the young captain was the shy
glance of gratitude he received from the
senor's beautiful daughter. His acquaint-
ripened into intimacy, his intimacy into
love- But on the day before he left Puebla
with his command when he told his love
to the dark eyed beauty he was kindly but
firmly rejected, as we have seen.
The next morning Captain Reynolds
rode away at the head of his company, his
dream of love rudely broken. But the
army was soon too busily engaged to allow
him to indulge in useless repining. At
Contreras he distinguished himself, and
having been SO fortunate as to save his
colonel's life was brevetted major for his
gallant conduct At the storming of Mo
lima del Rey his company was one of the
first to enter the works. Here, however
he was severely wounded and when in q
few days the City of Mexico surrendered
he was borne into the conquered capital
among the other injured Americans. His
case was a critical one, and, as his head
was severely injured, brain fever soon set
in. It is matter of history how the Mex
lean ladies tended and nursed our wound
ed and dying soldiers. So when one morn
ing lady in the garb of a nun presented
herself at the hospital and offered her
services as nurse it excited no comment.
The sick mans constant cry had been
"Inez, Inezl'' This served as an index to
his rawlings, and the surgeon said, eff we
could only secure the presence of the Inez
he talks about, it might possibly calm
him and fbera would b0 Soma bOuo of his
ultimate recovery.
After the arrival Of the new nurse, who
confined herself almost entirely to the
bedside of Major Reynolds, this cry was
hushed and his rawlings in a measure
ceased. Her presence would cool him in
his widest moments, and soon the care of
the patient passed wholly into her hands.
At last the fever had run its course, and
Major Reynolds, though not convalescent,
had now, in the doctors opinion, some
chance for life. What was the invalids
surprise when he opened his eyes and recov-
cred his faculties to see beside him the
face of his only love, Inez Garcia whom
he recognized even with her Disgusting
habiliments. els it really you. Inezf''
said he, his voice surprising even himself
in it's weakness. IL thought it was a
dream
yes" said she, "but you must not
speak or even think. Those are the sur
geon's orders
Too tired and weak to go contrary to
her wishes, he fell into deep, refreshing
slumber, from which he awoke strength
ened and invigorated in mind and body.
He seemed DESTROYS of asking her ques-
ton, yet dared not. She, interpreting his
actions Alright, said: tNoW, if you will
promise to be quiet, will tell you how
happen to be here. In the first place, I
am not married and" (very demurely)
lam not likely to be. My cousin was
killed at Cherubusco, and my father, be-
ing next of kin, inherited his estate, so
that now he is free from those difficulties
which encompassed him some time ago.
Hearing OF your misfortune, persuaded
my father to come here SO that could
take care of you"
"And now" broke in the major, ''there
is no obstacle to our marriage. Is that
what you mean to imply?"
Her answer is not given, but it seemed
satisfactory to all parties concerned.
"And noW," continued Inez, 81 must
leave you, though 1 will visit you fire.
quently in my own propria persona
Reynolds recovery, no longer doubtful,
was rapid. But when he attempted to
thank the surgeon that worthy replied:
Young man, you owe your life not to
me, but to the careful nursing of that nun
who has SO mysteriously disappeared. 3"
The war was soon ended, and Reynolds,
having been removed as soon as practi-
cable to the home of his betrothed soon re-
covered his usual health. The old senior,
oonquering his repugnanee to the idea of
marrying his daughter to one of the vic
torious Americans, at length granted his
consent, and soon after the treaty that Sc
cured peace to both nations was signed
the ceremony was solemnized with all due
pomp and splendor.
Reynolds, dreading a life of inactivity,
resigned his commission and, yielding to
the entreaties of his wife and father-in-
law, established his place Of residence in
ba erupv 1opd Of Mawioo into