The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1904-03-17

The man advanced. He was genu.
inc South Americana peon, body
servant of the old don-who had fol-
lowed his master north from Peru.
| With a gesture Of absolute homage, he
prostrated himself at the feet of the
trooper, and kissed the lieutenant's
sabre-tip.
my life is yours, master, at all
times and foreverv he whispered; then
he arose, and before Emerson could
speak he was gone.
"a splendid servant, lieutenant" D."
said the don, as he refilled the cups;
perfect, and a man worthy to be
your friend even. You have saved his
daughter, his all, and you can depend
upon him. He is your slave, for that
act, to the death!'
; So began EmersoE's acquaintance at
Hacienda Alvares; and as the morning
came, bringing with it the pleasures
| of a home where wealth and beauty
reigned, long unenjoyed by this rugged
young soldier of the border, and dark
| eyed Guadalupe put her hand in his
| to thank him for the news he brought,
| and asked him to stay as friend
| where he came as a messenger, a
thrill ran through his pulses, and he
| stayed-stayed until he felt that his
colonel must be wondering, for his
week was long gone; stayed until
dusky-browed Juan d'Imray, cousin
and suitor of his beautiful hostess,
frowned upon him; stayed until his
heart throbbed wildly and his ears
drank as divine music the rich voice
| of the donna-untl the girls cheeks
glowed beneath his fervent glance, and
her bosom heaved when his hand
touched hers; stayed too long, and
then rode away with positive prom
ise to the urgent old don to return
with a single glance from Guadalupe
| that might mean words-with scowl
and curse from Juan that betokened
hatred deep and fierce; and last Of all,
with a single gesture of unspeakable
fealty from poor Dumox at the gate.
"Ah, lieutenant!' cried old Colonel
Miller, as Emerson appeared before
him on the morning following, 1.-The
donna was too many for you! But I
! consent Make the marriage soon, and
! bring the beauty to camp"
| The young man colored.
"The marriage will be with Juan
d'Imray, colonel. Rumor says she is
afianced to him."
But the colonel shook his head.
Bah! that imp! His habits are worse
than those Of Mexican. The donna
is a wise girl, as we'll as a beautiful
one, and an American can win her,
especially when that American is a
young and good-looking soldier. Lieu
tenant, if you want that girl, and I
believe you do. and don't go in and
win her away from that Spaniard, I'll
I'll order you under arrest for a
Year,
And, with an emphatic shake Of the
head, the brave old colonel turned
away.
Emerson laughed long and hearty at
| his colonel as matchmaker" but
! when it so happened, two weeks later,
that the post-commandant found an
other message for Hacienda Alvares, it
| also happened that the lieutenant was
ready to carry it; and the bearer
found a stronger attraction than be-
fore in the eyes Of Donna Guadalupe
forgot the evil lurking in these Of
Juan d'Imray, and remained three
| days at the table Of his friend, the old
don-three days Of heaven to him,
crowned at last, one glorious night, by
the sweet, sweet words which made
the beauteous girl his forever.
For his love overpowered him. and
he confessed it-confessed it to know
that her heart was his, even as his
belonged to her, and had been from
the first. Together they strayed be-
meath the arbors of the garden. The
soldiers horse stood waiting at the
gate. the moon smiled down upon his
lonely northern way; but his arms en-
circled the most perfect figure in New
| Mexico; his eyes gazed into hers, filled
with love and longing even as were
his own; his lips plucked from her
lips kisses more luscious and passion
ate than ever before melted the heart
Of man; and Guadalupe told him, by
word and eyes and heart, that she
loved him. -.
But at last midnight warned them,
and with one parting embrace, close
and long, the young man watched his
darling slip from his hold and fee
toward the now silent rancho, while
whispering her last words as benisons,
the sweetest Of confessions in the
sweetest Of tongues, "Yo te amo," he
sought his saddle, and rode slowly
away into the cleaning.
His way took him over the broad
plateau and down the narrow trail
toward Los Mexos, until, upon the
little bridge that crossed the wild
stream at a point known as LA
Gorge de Diable," he paused and dis
mounted a moment to tighten loos.
ened girth.