Rock Island Argus., 1902-03-22

encampment waiting developments. l
don't nowGremember what, but during
this time Picard used TO ride about
reckleSsly outside the lines, at first by
daylight, but afterward ut night. II
was noticed by his brother officers that
on every third'night lie would grow i'm
patient for the darkness. and when II
did come would mount his horse and
ride away. One night Bankhard of the
cavalry took it into his head TO follow
him. The next day at the mess table
we were badgering Picard about his
nocturnal rides when Bankhard sneer-
ingly remarked:
when an officer rides at night in the
direction of the enemy, it is time his
rides were stopped"
1--WE all sat aGhast at this charge or
treachery. The two men being from
the south, where dueling was common,
we knew what would follow. Never
theless everything was kept so secret
that | had no suspicion till > o'clock
the next morning, when my terminate.
Tom Ingersol, stole out and away,
thinking that he had not awakened
me. Since he was Picards intimate
friend, felt assured he had gone to be
with him at Il meeting with Bankhard.
AT breakfast Picard was not with
us. Bankhard was there. looking very
much disturbed. and several others.
including my tentmatc. were distressed
beyond measure.
Where is Picard% ! asked.
'The query was like dropping Il shell
in the midst of the party. For mo
ment there was no reply. Then Inger-
sol said reSoiutely. as though he would
resent any denial of his statement:
picard has been killed. Last night
several of us made Il reconnaissance
toward the enemy's lines, and Picard
got Il bullet in his heart ..-..f
Every one at the table knew that
the story was made up 10 prevent. IL
possible. any inquiry into the real
cause of Picards death, and every one
knew that he had been killed in duel
by Bankhard. But no one disputed
the explanation. and we went on cat
ing our breakfast without further ref
erence to the matter, though there was
no great appetite in any of us. We all
blamed Bankhard till his second made
il known TO us that on the night he
had followed Picard he had seen him
ride into the enemy's lines. following
wooded ravine. Picard had evidently
found way of getting within the lines
and carrying his information TO head
quarters unobserved.
"a few days later we broke camp,
moved forward half dozen miles and
camped near hacienda surrounded
by n high hedge. After supper Inger-
sol tapped me on the shoulder. saying:
Come with me. | don't care TO be
accused of giving information 10 the
enemy and want you for Witness
I'VE went to the hacienda. stood at
the gate watching for an opportunity
to enter unobSeFved and, finding one,
went inside, where we could not he
seen from without Oh account of the
hedge. After walk of nearly mile
we came to the house. There Ingersol
gave n servant his card, on which he
had written, ~ friend of Lieutenant
Picard and told him to take it to Sc
norita Herrera.
'In a few minutes the lady entered.
She was about your age, Alice. and
very nearly your build. In other re-
spects she was very different. She had
an immense coil of jet black hair. and
her eyes were also very black and very
large. Her complexion was olive. with
n red tinge in each cheek. AS she came
in she was the picture of anxiety. her
great orbs darting from one to the
other of us as if uncertain which was
the friend of Picard and sure that
there>was bad news in store for her.
"'I am Mr.. Iugersol.' said my COM
paniOn. Il come with a message from
Lieutenant Picard
"She staggered back. placing her
hand for support on table.
"'OlI. senor.' she said family. it is a
farewell
either 10 hide his emotion or in an as
sent he Gid not care to give in words.
kept my eyes on the girl and. seeing
that she was about to swoOn. caught
her in my arms and laid her OH sofa
'She revived presently and. summon
ing her resolution. heard the story
which Ingersol had been commissioned
TO tell her by Picard should he fall in
the duel.
"The man who had fought rather
than explain his motive had met the
senorita. fallen in love with her and
visited her under cover of the night"
The story ended. and there was n
momentary silence. Then Alice ex-
claimed:
"Oh. how sadi Does she mourn for
him still. grandpa:"
'.Well. my dear. since she was be-
reaved half century ago, If she. still