Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1916-11-08
|SAVEDBY|
|AWOMAN|
An Episode of the
Peninsular War
By ALAN HINSDALE

Nnen tile Duke OF Wellington was
iightng the French in Spain In 1909 to
1914. gaining one victory after another
naturally the Spanish people were In
an unsettled condition. In all coun-
/ tries when there is war there are per
sons who pretend to belong to one side
or the other-sometimes both sides
either doing secret service or partisan
+ work or engaged In robbery.
| Alfonso Fernandez, youngster Of
twenty-three, hated both the French
and the English. expecting that, which
ever conquered. Spain would have
foreign yoke about her neck. Fernan-
DEE. who commanded a small body of
mounted men, would harass either
side alike. Sometimes he would attack
supply train Of the British, then the
very next day. when they were pursu-
ing the French after one OF their many
victories, he would be found in the van
OF the English ranks sabering those
Frenehmen who were unable to keep
up with their retreating companies
Fernandez was the son Of Spanish
grandee and highly educated. One day
he was riding At the head Of his men
through a rural district not far from
Talayera. when screams were heard in
advance. Fernandez put spurs to his
horse and. followed by his troops. rode
around bend In the road through trees
that obscured his vision. and, emerg-
ing into the open. came to gentle.
mans country place that was being
looted by stragglers from the French
army.
Dashlng through the gateway and up
TO the house the Spaniards attacked
the marauders and drove them of
Fernandez himself found a young lady
struggling with French grenadier
and cut him down,
Naturally those occupying the place
were very grateful for their deliver
ance. and Donna Maria Matelinia's
heart went out to her preserver. The
troop encamped. or. rather. bivouacked
on the grounds of her home and re-
ceived everything they needed that the
place afforded. For some time they
made 1t base of their operations
striking out In different directions. al
ways returning after foray. But
their absences were neither so frequent
nor so long as they had been. for the
leader spent much time dallying with
Donna Maria.
Nevertheless the harassing Fernan-
deg gave the French about this time
was sufficient to excite the Ire OF Colo
mel Pierre Villiers. who vowed that If
he could catch the bandits" as he
preferred to call them he would hang
every one Of them, The colonel sent
out a scout after one OF Fernandezs
attacks on a French outpost to follow
him at distance and discover his lair.
The scout returned with the informa-
ton that Fernandez himself spent
much time at the Matilinias. but as for
his troop they had no stopping place.
The more time Fernandez and Donna
Maria spent together the more deeply
they fell In love with each other and
the more reckless Fernandez became in
exposing himself to attack from his
enemies. But woman readily scents
danger to the man she loves The lady
frequently expressed disapprobation at
her lover remaining with her when his
men were away, pointing out how easy
1t would be for either the French or
the English to take him while he was
alone. But whenever he consented TO
leave her she was sure to ask him to
take the risk just once more.
Meanwhile Fernandez's band. under
the leadership Of his lieutenant. was
harassings the French night and day.
1t being known what force was max
ing all the trouble and it not being
known that Fernandez himself was
dallying with his beloved, he incurred
all the obloguy OF these attacks.
Colonel villiers. having learned that
Fernandez visited certain place.
made up his mind to take him there.
He sent one or two expeditions there.
but at the time Fernandez was away
with his troop. The Frenchman. not
wishing to brighten the bird away, con-
cealed the fact that they were after
him. But they did not deceive Donna
Maria.
Colonel villiers, eager to take the
man who was annoying him. finally
put a wat,.h on the house Fernandez
frequented and, one evening when 1t
was reported that the Spaniard was
there. concluded to go in person to
capture him. Putting himself at the
head Of dozen men-Fernandez's men
were not with hini-the colonel led
them to the house where the lovers
were dallying. surrounded 1t with his
men, then closed in upon the premises.
Fernandez and Maria were sitting
on bench in the flower garden when
suddenly they heard steps approach
ing, accompanied by the jingle OF
spurs. Both jumped to their feet and
retreated to the house. screened on
the way by high growing plants COM