Arizona republican., 1902-08-03

S1Af A<A1li Santiago had capitulated with all the honors of war, and the army of the invaders was encamped on the higher slopes of the hills outside of the con- auered city, the soldiers waiting pa tiently for the order that would send them back to the United States. Death and sickness had been making heavy inroads on the strength of the army. The sleepless nights of vigil in the trenches, and the weary days of wait ing for the enemy to surrender had had a depressing effect on the men: the en- ervating climate and hunger had done the rest, and there were but very few that had escaped the fever.
 Most of those that had been danger ously wounded had been placed on board the hospital ship and it was wait ing for the final surrender of the en- emy before proceeding on the way homeward with the freight of suffer ing humanity.
 Willie had been among the number sent to the ship. He was sent the day after the tragic death of Morris. He had never returned to consciousness after he had made the effort to bounce upon Morris in the hospital. The lat ter had met his reward, but Willie never knew it, and it was not until weeks later that he learned that Provi- dence had removed his mortal foe
 Blinkie and Marcella and faithful Ramon parted from the unconscious Willie with moist eyes, for they thought never to see him again. Marcella had been attentive to the wounded man, and in his delirium, when she had placed her hand on the fevered brow, he had muttered ..Sallie.''
 When the ambulance was ready to convey Willie and a few others of the wounded to Siboney to be transported on board the vessel, Marcella stopped over the unconscious form and gently placed a kiss on his forehead. It was her parting benediction. Blinkie grasped the limp hand of his friend and squeezed it hard in mute farewell.
 After Willie was taken away the three remaining friends were deeply depressed. especially Blinkie, and Mar celia found her task no easy one to cheer him up. Blinkie had recovered fast from the wound in his neck, and in another week would be ready for duty with his troop. He had entirely regained the use of his speech and took great delight in talking-now that the impeachment had been removed.
 He stayed several days in the im- pfovised hospital, and Marcella also re- mained, for the surgeons and wounded soldiers had told her that she was in- dispensible and they could not hear of her leaving. The hard work was tell ing on her. Her eyes were sunken and cheeks thing and pale. Since she had been in the hospital she had had very little opportunity for sleep, though a tent had been put up and a cot placed at her disposal. Many times during the night she would be called up by a wounded man, and uncomplainingly she had responded.
 Thus the days passed and when the news was received that Santiago had capitulated there was great reoicing, for almost immediately an order had been received by the surgeon in charge of the field hospital that all the sick and wounded were to be removed to a hospital in Santiago.
 Marcella accompanied her sick charges to the hospital in the city, and then for the first time she was again enabled to change the male attire she had been wearing since she had es- capped with the prisoners at Fl Caney for the proper habiliments of her sex The wounded soldiers in the hospita who had become accustomed to hel in clothing of the male sex could no believe their eyes when a becomingl5 dressed young lady entered the hos pital. Marcella was looking bright anC fresh, for she had been enabled to ge much needed rest from her arduou. duties during the past week.
 Blinkie and Ramon were no longe with her. for the former had almos recovered from his wound and had in sisted upon reporting for duty with hi troop, and the latter, who had takel a strong liking to Blinkie, accompanie. him to his troop, where he became great favorite with the men. His his tory had been related so often tha there were few few men in the regi iment who were not acquainted wit what he and his sister had accom- plished in effecting the rescue of Willi and Blinkie from the Spaniards and tn capture of the traitor Morris. Ramo improved his time with the American by studying the language, and unde the tutelage of Blinkie learned rapidly
 Blinkie was a great favorite in hi troop, for his desertion of the troop i order to accompany his friend int great danger had won their admira ton, and he was called upon severa times to relate his adventures while
 prisoner under sentence of death | the camp of the enemy.
 When Blinkie had reported to hi troop commander for duty he was ser for by the colonel, and questioned 8 to his leaving camp without permission