El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-07-13
(By James Montgomery

EAJ. JARVIS LESTRANGE hal
I'VE arrived at an age and rank
l. - when none but men Of his own
standing would dare to call him by the
name he had earned, and no doubt de-
served, in his early service. He had
been styled 'LOOney,' from his madcdp
ways and many foolish eScapddeS- As
he grew older and rose higher he still
maintained the character for cccen-
tricity. Although he was no longer
laughed at as "dotty," he was often
possessed by strange moods, and did
strange things, or ordinary things
strangely.
To look at this strong, self con-
tanned man, no longer in his first youth,
with grave, solemn face, a far away
look IN ms pale blue eyes, rare of
speech and Unconditional in manner, it
was difficult to believe that a wealth
OF romance lay deep down in his ma
ture, needing but Il spark to blaze into
vigorous flame. He was a proper man
NithAl, tall, well built, carrying him
self With that air of authority so COM
non 10 his cloth. As such he filled the
eyes Of Manuela Gonzales very pleas
antly as he marched dv,Fn Waterfall
street with his regiment. He was a
handsome figure in his regimeEtals,
fancy OF this rOguiSh girl.
It was later that she became Ior-
n:ally acquainted with Mai. L EstranSe.
lie had come on purpose to meet her
and the word was soon passed round
2mOung the merry yOun gSters that the
major was in love; not in their volatile
nSht hearted fashion, but in al SC er
seriousness, and meaning matrimOnV.
lie soon passed from alteration 10
definite proposal; he approached he
relations formally, and in the most an
proved fashion laid his heart, his rank,
anu MS possessions at Manuela'S feet.
1t was a brilliant match for the lit
tIr Spanish girl Offering her wealth..
Tor although Z Estrange was not more
"a IN raraw-- F.-~ = IL
Ian Ian coInIortaoiy OIL he seemed fabu-
lOuSly rich to her; offering her posi-
tlon-tor the wives Of English officers
reid their heads high upon the Rock,
ana the major was certain to gain
promotlon some day, BECOME colonel,
general his eXcellency the governor
even So they were married
ret IN her secret heart her conscience
prlcked her. She knew full well that
she was false to one who had a prior
cIalm-One Don Lucas RiSsO, Heuten-
ant colonel of Cacadores, and for the
Tune being commandant of Linea, or
the Spanish lines.
For six months all went happflv
enough and the major, at least, was in
the seventh heaven of uXOrious delight
Now, as the roster went round. his
turn came to command the detachment
chartered in the huts upon the North
'front.' Three companies of the Royal
Picts, 29O all told, were under his or
uers; and he was practically indie
pendent. for the station lay Just within
our sentries in the neutral ground be-
Nond the fortress walls, and was shut
CT from all control Of the authorities
t IN sunset 10 dawn-that is to say,
II ON evening till mirning gun fire
1t suited his mood well. this isola-
ton from the life of the garrison. Not
SO MIS- l. Estrange. who could not toll
crate the sacrifice of all amusement
condemned to the society OF the man
VINO. by this time. bored her to lis
traction There was a small mess, it is
true and one or two families of MR.
Frr@ h.
not cultivate the acquaintance of their
nclShDors. Whenever it was possible
Manuela flew to the Rock, and STAYED
there with her cousins, Selling anv and
the smallest excuse dance. a din
ner, big function at the theater: ana
then, with manifest reluctance she re-
turned to her prisOn-the calabozo up
on the North Front, and its drearv.
monOtOnOus life.
He thought little of her absences.
W hen he came back one evening about
DUSK, after the gun had fired, and all
access TO the fortress was ended for
the night, she did not come out
10 greet him, and he did not
ask for her. She had gone, of
her the old Spanish woman who
served her as maid and duenna af-
ter the Spanish custom, the humble but
not always incorruptibIe chaperOn-an
institution as old as the hills. He strobe
INTO MS study, pulled off his riding
Doots, and was about to resume the
book in which he was greatly interest
ed, when he caught sight of a note
paced ostentatiOusly upon his table.
ManUela's excuse, no doubt No: Ills
was letter of more startling tenor.
and as he read it he clenched his hand.
and raised it on high with a fierce cry
of rage.
1T is no good" it ran. Il can bear
no more of it. 1 cannot live with YOU
cold, heartless, Observation-Disclosures
passion and sweet contentment await
~ lIr~fra I
60 to Lucas, who adores me, and whom
L have always devotedly loved. Forget
me. do not ask you to forgive me- for
do not care.-Manuela"
The slutH He crumpled the letter in
his hand, and threw it away like an un-
clean thing. Let her go, I never want
to see her face again. Let him take her.
l wash my hands of them. No, not that