Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1899-07-21
THE MAJORS BRIDE

IN the year 1887, IN the ancient city
OF Puebla, a young couple were carry
ing on conversation which seemed to
be OF great interest to them. The one.
young fellow 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, beau
tiful young Mexican girl, Il love you,
but cannot be your wife. have
promised my hand to my cousin, T.
whom my father owes more than ~
can pay. But he has promised THAI n
marry him he will cancel the AnAt
taking me in exchange. hate h.AS
she continued fiercey. but f@@
keep my word"
But" said the young man impstu-
ously, this barter and sale Is barbar-
GUS. Can't you be made to reconsider
your decision?"
NO" said the maiden despairingly,
"it 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 Pueb-
la on It's victorious march to the capt.
tai, Captain Robert Reynolds had been
able to perform a notable service for
Senior Garcia, a Mexican of reputed
wealth, and his daughter, Inez. One
day while out driving the senor's car
riage horses became frightened by the
maneuvers OF a company OF soldiers.
and twisting suddenly threw the coach
man from his seat and started at full
speed down the road. Captain Rey-
nolds, seeing the danger. rushed into
the street, and grasping the maddened
horses by the bits after a severe fight
succeeded in stopping them. The senior
was voluble In his thanks and In his
praise of the young Americans cour-
age. but far more acceptable to the
young captain was the shy glance OF
gratitude he received from the senor's
beautiful daughter His acquaintance,
thus formed with the family, soon rip
ened 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. az
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 re-
plning. At Contreras he distinguished
himself, and having been so fortunate
as to save his colonel's life was brevet-
ted major for his gallant conduct. At
the storming of Molina del Rey his
company was one OF the first to enter
the works. Here, however. he was Sc
verely wounded, and when in a few
days the City of Mexico surrendered
he was borne into the conquered capt.
tai among the other injured Americans.
His case was a critical one. and, as his
head was severely injured, brain fever
soon set in. 1t Is matter OF history
how the Mexican women tended and
nursed our wounded and dying soldiers
SO when one morning woman In the
garb of a nun presented herself at the
hospital and offered her services as a
nurse 1t excited no comment. The sick
mans constant cry had been "Inez,
Inez!" This served as an index to his
rawlings, and the surgeon said, "lf we
could only secure the presence OF the
Inez he talks about, 1t might possibly
calm him and there would be some
hope 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
soon the care OF the patient passed
wholly into her hands.
At last the fever had run its course,
and Major Reynolds, though not con-
valescent, had now, in the doctors
opinion, some chance for life. What
was the invalid's surprise when he
opened his eyes and recovered his fac
ulties to see beside him the face OF
his only love, IneZ Garcia, whom he
recognized even with her Disgusting
habiliments. us II really you, Inez?"
said he, his voice surprising even him
self in its weakness. II thought 1t
was a dream"
YES" said she. but you must not
speak or even think. Those are the
surgeons orders"
Now, II you will promise to be quiet,
| will tell you how happen to be here.
In the first place, | am not married
and" (very demurely) Am not likely
to be. My cousin was killed at Cheru-
busco, and my father. being next Of
kin, inherited his estate. 30 that now
he Is free from those difficulties which
encompassed him some time ago. Hear
ing OF your misfortune, persuaded my
father to come here 30 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 seem
ed satisfactory to all parties concern
ed.
And now" continued Inez, Il must
leave you, though will visit you fire.
quently in my own proprla persona"
Reynolds recovery, no longer doubt
full, was rapid. But when he attempted
to thank the surgeon that worthy re-
piled:
Young man, you owe your life not
to me, but to the careful nursing OF
that nun who has 30 mysteriously dis
appeared"
The war was soon ended, and Rey-
nolds, having been removed as soon az
practicable to the home OF his be-
trothed, soon recovered his usual
health. The old senior, conquering his
repugnance to the idea Of marrying his
daughter to one Of the victorious
Americans, at length granted his con-
sent, and soon after the treaty that Sc
cured peace to both Nations was sign
ed, the ceremony was solemnized with
all due poTnp and sDlendor.
"
GROWING GOLD.
Thu -