The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1916-11-23
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|SAVEDBY
|AWOMAN
An Episode Of the
Peninsular War
By ALAN HINSDALE
By ALAN HINSDALE


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 a
foreign yoke about her neck. Fernan-
DEE. who commanded a small body OF
mounted men, would harass either
side alike. Sometimes he would attack
q supply train OF the British, then the
very next day, when they were pursn
ing the French after one OF their many
victories, he would be found In the van
Of the English ranks sabering those
Frenchmen who we're 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
Talavera. when screams were heard In
advance. Fernandez put spurs to bis
horse and, followed by his troops. rode
around a bend In the road through trees
that obscured his vision, and, emery
ing into the open, came to a gentle
mans country place that was being
looted by stragglers from the French
army.
Dashing through the gateway and up
to the house the Spaniards attacked
the marauders and drove them on
Fernandez himself found young lady
struggling with a French grenadier
and cut him down.
Naturally those occupying the place
were very grateful for their deliver.
ance. and Donna Maria Matelinia
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 II a 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 witt
Donna Maria.
Nevertheless the harassing Fernan
dez gave the French about this TINT
was sufficient to excite the Ire OF Colo
mel Pierre villiers. who vowed that II
he could catch the bandits" as ht
preferred to call them, he would hanl
every one OF them. The colonel sent
out a scout after one of Fernandez't
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 fo'
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 a woman readily scents
danger to the man she loves The lady
frequently expressed disapprobation a
her lover remaining with her when his
men were away. pointing out how easy
1t would be for either the French oil
the English to take him while he was
alone. But whenever he consented tC
leave her she was sure to ask him Il
take the risk just once more.
Meanwhile Fernandez's band. undel
the leadership of his Lieutenant. was
harassing the French night and day
1t being known what force was max
ing all the trouble and II not beini
known that Fernandez himself wal
dallying with his beloved, he incurred
all the obloquy Of these attacks.
Colonel villiers, having learned thai
Fernandez visited q 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. moi
wishing to brighten the bird away, con
cealed the fact that they were afte,
him. But they did not deceive Donna
Maria.
Colonel villiers. eager to take the
man who was annoying him. finally
put a watch on the house Fernandez
frequented and. one evening when 4,
was reported that the Spaniard was
there. concluded to go In person "a
capture him. Putting himself at the
head Of a dozen men-Fernandez' men
were not with him-the colonel led
them to the house where the lovers
were dallying. surrounded II 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.
mon TO tropical countries, and closed
a door behind them without having
been seen. Discerning from a window
the forms OF men without. the lovers
suspected that Fernandez was In dan.
ger. and Maria at once began TO think
Of a place to hide blm, for escape was
obviously impossible. She led him up
stairs 10 a bedchamber and put him
In a closet. Fernandez had never been
beyond the ground door OF the house