The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1908-11-14

NDA AAL N1Nk ~ Il AAAAA
~ nor Pillar had fallen into
their hands. Although they had come
just in time to prevent the complete
humiliation of the little company, the
leaders had escaped with the remnant
of their surprised forces. Scores OF
Filipinos were captured, dozens were
killed and wounded. Eight of the dash
ing scouts who went out with Jerry
Connell gave up their lives in exchange
for the final victory.
A small guard was left at the con-
vent to care for the wounded, the bulk
Of the command hurrying off at dawn
to search for the routed Filipinos.
Graydon Bansemer was put in charge
of the convent guard. A surgeon and
the application of first aid to the in
jured' principles soon transformed
the convent into a well arranged hos
pital. Uncle Sans -beneyolence was
also c%heerfully extended to the wound
ed Filipinos. The days of the water
cure" and "ungodly butchery' had not
yet come.
Young Velasquez died soon after day.
break. He had been dying for days.
His sisters grief was pathetic in the
extreme-aye, demoralizing, for it
struck deep into the hearts of soldiers
who had scoffed at the lifeblood Of
man, but could not brave the tears Of
q woman.
Bansemer did all in his power to
comfort and console her. 1t was to
him that she chung in her despair. He
had been her captor. and yet it had
been he who stood forth in his might
to defend her and the loved one who
was dead. At nightfall the dead were
buried in that faroff wilderness. their
humble graves marked and recorded
before the time when the government
could come to give other graves in
other lands to these who had given
their lives. Velasquez was laid beside
the Americans. Teresa, a ~shivering,
sobbing little figure in the garb Of an
insurgent soldier, was supported by
big Graydon Bansemer. There was no
service except the short army ritual;
there was no priest or pastor; there
was but one real mourner-a pretty,
heart broken girl who lay for hours
beside the rude mound ON the hillside.
Word came back at nightfall that
the ~detachments were to form a juno
ton at one Of the big villages west
ward in two days. The instructions
were that the wounded Filipinos
should be left in the village, where
native women and doctors would care
for them.
"What in thunder are we to do with
the grip was the question that came
from the officer in command. More
than one man scratched his head
thOughtfully and looked toward the
disturbing element that had come into
the army. She was sitting alone and
disconsolate in front of the church.
There's no way to send her back to
her friends, and we can't leave her
here" said Bansemer.
but, gee Whit We can't take her
on a hike like this" protested the SER
geant. She'll be in the way, and
she'll give out, and all that. Besides,
what would we do with a woman
around all the timer"
II fancy she car hike all right" said
Graydon. major March wouldn't ex-
pect us to leave her behind. That
would be heartless."
By the time the party and guides were
ready to start on their forced march
the opinion unanimously expressed
was that Teresa Velasquez should go
forward also, come what might. She
had pleaded so hard and so ~effectually
that the men were fairly swept off
their feet in a storm of sympathy.
IF she gives out Wen carry herp'
roared a deeply impressed young man
with long red whiskers.
"And when we get up to the com
mand Wen make them derned CORE
spondents take turn about walkin', so
she can ride a pony all the time.
They've got no business rldin' any
how"
And so with rosy confidence in the
fitness Of things and a just belief in
the charity of Major March, the de-
tachment marched out into the hills.
the ward Of the company trudging
bravely beside the tall and envled Mr..
Bansemer. who, by the way, aside
from being politely attentive, did not
exhibit any undue signs Of exaltation.
The presence OF n woman-and a
very pretty one at that, with a sad
ness in her eyes that was appealing
served only to send his thoughts
bounding back 20 the girl he had left
behind. He grew more and more
morose and silent as the day wore on,
AZ times the tired, lonely girl at bis
slde Jagged and cast wondering, piteous
glances at him. Her woman's intui-
ton told her that this mar did not be-
long where he was. Il told her also
that he had a secret and that one OF
her sex was deeply involved.
The events Of the next two weeks
lAre Of small consequence in this mar
tative, which deals not SO much with