o
THK EIGENE WEEKLY Gl'ARD. THVRSDAY. NOVEMBER 4. I»<>“
Bj
GEORGE BARR McCUTCHEON
Author of "Beverly of Grausterk,” Etc
DOUD.
COPYRIGHT.
MEAD
,
COMPANY
CHAPTER XXII (Continued).
.m1gnS along the mountain road
e information that was not worth
wring A deserted village showed
Xns of the i>assage. and finally there
wxs pw-f «head that Pilar bad stop
nd to give battle. He had reached
• Ms vantage ground. Connell and hi«
men drew back and waited. Nightfall
-ame and with It the spiteful crack of
the Mainer rifie. A brawny trooper
toppled over with a great hole In hl*
he,.I I’llar’” pickets could nee like
«ts In the night. The native scout
„ported thnt the big village of Com
repcion was not far abend: I’llnr’s men
wen* making their stand before this
rather Important stronghold.
••We’ll get a scrap that is a scrap
hors - d.l Connell exultlngly. "These
fellows are going to put up a tight at
las: They're like liees up yonder.
We've got to fall back on the com
patiy If we don't, they'll chew us up
before the little captain cun get to us."
Too well did the men know the belli
cose tempérament of the big Irishman
to think of grumbling at such a com
mand. jet it wns with a certain reluc
tance which invariablj’ accompanies a
backward step that the men retired to
meet the advancing company.
Young Bansemer iu ills khaki uni
form wns uot the immaculate, debon-
nalre man of the drawing room. Serv
lee. though short, had been hard and
grueling. His face was eveu hand
somer with its rugged lines and set
features He was thinner and brown
er; his eyes were clearer aud a darker
gray: his hair seemed thinker and
fairer than before; his figure more
erect and sinewy. The wistful look lu
bls eyes seemed to betray hunger for
action; his ever ready eagerness to lie
od the move told of his strength and
of his weakness. He had the lean,
active bearing of the panther and the
restless daring of thnt lithe animal.
No luau in the company had stoo 1
fire as valiantly as he. He courted the
whiz of the bullet, scoffed at the rig
ors of the march and Instinctively was
a good shot with the rifle, lie bore n >
grudge against the department at
home; he had no grievance.
The officer« recognized lu him a man
of parts, a man of station far above
the position which he had chosen in
the army. He was a source of mys-
terj- to the men of his own rank in the
line—the plowboys, the teamsters, the
roustabouts and the ne’er-do-wells who
had gone Into rhe army from choice
or discretion. At first they had called
him the "dude" and had laughed at
his white hands and clean Jaws. Ilis
indifference to their taunts annoyed
them. One day he knocked down the
biggest bully of the lot and walked
away without even waiting to see
whether he would arise after the blow
lie simply glared at the next man who
chaffed. It was enough. The com
pany held him In a new respect that
forbade the reporting of the Incident
to the officer of the day.
Every night before he lay down to
sleep, in the rice field or the barrios,
he took from his p«x'ket a leather case
and gazed at the small portrait It shel
tered. No one had been permitted to
•ee him in Ills devotions, for that was
what he called these sacred moments.
His loan face, full of tierce energy all
day long, softened ns his eyes de
voured the dainty miniature.
•
•
•
•
•
“Halt! Who goes there?"
A shot rang out in the stillness of
the night. It was answered at once
by another closer in. More shots fol
lowed. gradually increasing to a fusil
lade as the scouts and pickets came
running back. Men sprang up from
the ground, but even as they did so
knottier volley reached them, and three
men dropi>ed with a groan and lay
•till. The alarm sounded clear from
the bugle and echoed hack from the
surrounding hills. A sharp command
came from the throat of the sergeant
The company seized the stacked rtflaa.
Captain Groce gave another order. The
formation to repel attack was made
lb an incredibly short space of time
There was no disorder, no confusion
The little officer was as cool as If on
®rasa parade.
"Steady, men! Walt until they're
nearer!”
They had not long to wait From all
•ides a horde of shouting, firing men
Were rushing on the little square.
Here they are! Now. then, boys.
fire'"
’Iley after volley
vollry rang mt.
osit. Th«
' "’Hey
foremost of the enemy fell at theit
’“vt Hand to hand was the fighting
The bayonets lunged with deadly ef
feet, but seemed powerless to thrust
the mass back on itself. Men shot,
backed, stabbed and clubbed each oth-
W- It was a whirl of uplifting and
lev-ending rifles and bolos
Fierce oaths vied with the shrieks
the wounded for supremacy. The
•Hint of men who slaughter, the gasps
of the victims when the steel went
b*’tne. were heard on all aides. At
times the soldiers could not see on a
’"■■at of the sweat and bl***! I”
from their faces
The very air
te.,1 a___ __
-
...
•«x*
Q
«3
p!!ng with the enemy.
To Bansemer it seemed that al! his
life he had l*een doing nothing but
warding off and delivering blows.
Fighting side by side with Rogers, he
saw. with horror, that ths soldier’s
rifle had t>eeu torn from his hands
and that he had uo weapon to defend
himself, but before he could see Just
how It happened this Individual com
bat had altered its aspect, Rogers had
grablied the Filipino's gun and was
doing the clubbing.
With renewed
zest Bansemer iitiished with the bayo
net his own assailant and saw the
man fall on top of pour A ìauis an4
Relander.
Suddenly there was an exultant yell
from the enemy, Instinctively Banse
mer knew that one side of the square
had given way. Quickly turning, be
rushed to give his aid and Just in time
caught the arm of a native about to
slash him with a huge knife With the
two gripped hands high in the air
struggling for mastery the adversaries
became separated a bit from the rest
of the chaotic mass of friend and foe,
swaying out to one side of the plaza
and under the walls of a convent.
Bansemer was facing It, and Just at
the moment that he felt his strength
giving way and could see a grin of
triumph on the fiendish face there
came a flash and a reisirt, and his ad
versary fell at Ills feet Glancing up to
ascertain who had tired the shot that
had saved Ills life, he thought he saw
a figure disappearing from oue of the
windows The incident acted as an
inspiration. Gathering together a few
men, he reached the captain's side and
communicated his plan. The opportu
nity was not to be lost. Groce gave an
order; Connell rejieuted it. Then in
terpreting a temporary lull in the mur
derous struggle as their vantage, the
men, with u cheer and dragging the
field piece, broke for the building and
by bayoneting and clubbing the insur
gents out of the way accomplished the
dash with slight loss. The soldiers
hurled themselves against the stoutly
barred door. It fell w ith a crash.
Guards were stationed and all open
ing« and windows manned. Singularly
enough, these defensive actions seem
ed ut least temporarily unnecessary, for
the watchers peering out of the win
dows reported that the dead alone oc
cupied the recent field of bajtle. Not
a single Filipino wus to be seen on the
plaza.
Every village has Its convent or bar
rios. Generally speaking, their size
corres[»onds in a certain ratio with the
population. But this particular build
Ing wus an exception. Dimly lighted.
It gave the impression of ranking In
size with many of those in far larger
villages.
Immediately the thought
came to the Invaders that the church
might have sheltered the insurgent
leaders.
Aguinaldo or I’llar might
have directed the attack from Inside
these walls. Orders were given to
search every corner and crevice to
ferret out concealed foe«. A rear win
dow was open, proving that flight
could have been by that means of
egress. Bansemer was almost posi
tlve that the bullet which had killed
his assailant had come from one of
the upper windows, but whether from
friend or toe was undeterminable.
Were they not in a cunningly planned
trail of some kind?
Considerably perplexed, Bansemer
decided to keep on his guard He was
ruthlessly searching the chancel when
a deep groan caught his attention.
Presently, «• he paused to listen, n
dark figure leai»ed toward him from a
recess back of the altar The flash of
a pistol blinded him and momentarily
a sharp pain shot through his arm. but
he recovered In time to throw bls tall
the slight, almost
frame 1 forward
—------ upon
.
indistinguishable figure, There was a
short struggle, and before his cotn-
rade’rouhf reach him hta adversary
was safely pinned to the floor. A
ipnment later the torche« in the hands
of hl« friends were burning brightly
above the figure of his captive « slen
der boy who choked with terror and
rap«*
•Who are you. my young friend?
ask»d Bansemer. holding the boy at
arm's length.
There w«s no answer from the tlgnt-
lv closed Ilf’« «nd BHmwmer shook him
a little roughly Then for the first time
he perceived that he was not « Fili
pino His akin was dark, but not the
akin of the native« The handsome,
boyish face had regular feature« En
ronean In character
-Spaniard’ inquired Bansemer a tri
tie ’-«re gently and ««»In the boy
ftaal--’. a took of hatred In’" Ms cap-
torf» eyra*
“book here, my young spalpee«."
Mid Connell gruffly. "Fl q.ino or KpBD-
lard. if you w»nt
>our
you’d twtter answer questions and no
lies, do you bear?"
groan
At this threat
.vhere
hen rd to come fro
In the rec««««« of
tari
men were start!»*!
boy cast a furtive
tjou.
do O
the boy with IUn?
•*«
ing.
fa.-e
■ prostrati
. < *
bim
et y
The boy laughed sarcastically.
"How many meu has Agulnaldo?"
"Times hundred or more
I would
advise you to kx»k out for filar He.
too, may come at auy moment."
Scarcely had the words left I his
mouth when a storm of yells ea
< me
from outside the convent, and Im
mediately the boy rushed to his broth
er's side.
“Great Ceasar, there s a thousand of
them!" cried Rogers
Instantly every man made for the
position ssetgiux! to him. The gun was
In readiness. Outside the Mausers rat
tied, bullets coming from all quarter«
and thumping sharply against the op
posite walls with a patter that warms!
the Americans against standing erect.
Occasionally a scout would i>eep from
a window and take a shot Into the
darkness, but these ventures were few
All lights were extinguished The men
fired at the spots from which burst
the flames of rifles, then <lr*q>ped aud
denly. After awhile the tiring of the
Filipinos dwindled Into a shot now an*l
then
"Keep low! They don't dare risk a
charge! Be ready to defend the door!"
Captain Groce commanded
The night wore on. and with the ces
sation of hostilities ronfldence increas
ed. Re-enforcements were not far off.
and it did not seem possible that the
sounds of battle could not be heard.
The men. worn out by the exciting
events of the day. were generally si
lent. Sergeant Connell, however, was
an exception
“Get us! Not a bit of It," he was say
ing, "the dirty little cowards! Major
March will lie here in the shake of a
dead lamb’s tall."
An hour later Bansemer. hla rifle In
hand, sitting near one of the windows,
suddenly felt some one tugging at ills
arm. Turning, he saw the Spanish boy.
"Won't you come and help me to
carry my brother Isdilnd the stone
wall?” he was saying "He is exposed
to the bullets and cannot move him
self.”
"Willingly!’’ and Grnydou followed
bis lend. As if lie was n child, he
picked up the gaunt Spaniard and
carefully Imre him to the place of shel
ter, but despite all that lie could do to
hide Ills suffering the pain In ills arm.
which the removal of th** man had In
creased, was such for a moment that
he felt faint and staggered. The boy
was quick to notice It nml quickly
aaked:
"What Is the matter? Wounded?”
“It's nothing; merely a scratch.”
"Oh. I know. Why, It's your arm.
and 1”,— The boy’s face crimsoned
with shame and contrition. Through
the semidarkness the blush esca|xxi
Grnydon's notice, but not so the truly
feminiue little shriek of dismay as lie
touched and felt the wet sleeve.
“It was I who (lid it! Oh. how can
you ever forgive me?”
Grnydou, dumfounded, starisi in
wonder.
“Whatr he exclaimed; "you're n
girl?”
“Yes, I'm bls sister,” pointing to the
dying man; then, with some embnr
rassmeut: "These clothes? They are
the only ones they would give me.
You see, a girl would have been a
burden; a boy none at all. Do you
think that had 1 been a man you could
so easily have overpowered ine? No!”
The slim, little figure drew Itself up
straight and defiant before him. De
spite the loose, ugly garments of the
Filipinos, Graydon noticed for the first
time that the figure was perfectly
molded and high bred. She swept off
the wide hat she wore, and the man
saw a mass of dark hair done up tight
ly on her bend. But eveu while be
»
gazed her iikxm I changed, She liecamu
There u*ui a »(tort ttruggle.
subserviently anxious and begged him
lairst In chorus from every throat But to let her attenil to bis arm. She
as suddenly they were followed by ex pleaded so hard that, to please her,
pressions of chagrin, for by contrasting he yield«!, Water was obtalneil frotn
the present situation with that which somewhere, Ilie sllgllt 11.-sh >•
they had anticipated, tills information washed and then, disappearing
had succeeded in intensifying their the darkness, to Ills amazement a
o
turiK*d almost Instantly with
mortification.
But notwithstanding his share of the bandages and dressed his nrtn.
While this surgical operation U
universal disappointment, a hasty re
flection of preceding events convinced going on Graydon, for the life of him.
Graydon that personally be bad little could not resist the temptntlon to ask
ground for complaint against the late her again why she had tried to shoot
occupants of the convent, for uninten him. At first, so terribly in earnest did
tional as undoubtedly had been the she take the question and lieg for
act through which at the very point of mercy, that he smiled at her, and then,
death his existence had been pre seeing his amusement, she said co
served, there was no evidence to re quettlshly:
fute the hypothesis that the shot which
"How could I possibly have known
had killed his assailant in the plaza that you were so nice? Besides, 1
had Iwn fired by one of the insur had always heard you Americans re
gents under cover.
ferred to as brutes.”
"Grant Scott!” was the exclamation
Graydon laughed; then suddenly his
to which he gave utterance. "Once face became very grave. The realiza
more. I suppose, I owe my life to the tion of her terrible situation bad
blundering marksmanship of a Filipi dawned upon him. A woman among a
no!"
crowd of rough soldiers! Her brother
This half hearted acknowledgment and protector dying! And all sur
of hl» strange Indebtedness educed rounded by hordes of savage enemies
from bls companions no recognition who at any moment might kill them!
other than a puzzled stare from the The thought dismissed all pleasantry
sergeant and an enigmatical smile on from hla mind
Something must lie
the face of the young Spaniard Con done, and at once Presently he asked:
nell proceeded with his examination:
"What is your name?”
•Why did they leave you here?"
"My father was Colonel Ilarnos Jose
“They bad no time to take us with Velaaquea That also la my brother's
them when you broke in." was the name, except that he Is not an officer
boy's answer
-Agulnaldo was on hla I am Teresa Fortune Velasquez. My
way to some village where hla family mother was English, a sister of Sir
is In biding The scouts told him of William Fortune She la dead. For
your presence. Then he determined ten years we have lived in Manila.”
not to waft for Pilar, but to surpriw
"Too won’t mind If I call the ser
you. We never rested day or night geant will youT’ The girl nodded a
My pope brother—bow be wifferedr
slightly bewildered assent as Graydon
•ee that he Is dying?" cried the boy
piteously in broken English "He cati
t* t tight you; he's dying," anij theu In
• perfect frenzy of rage to Bensetner.
Let me gv-plg!"
Not until afterward did Bansemer
recall that In the general excitement it
was the tx>v who dragged him aloug
to the s|>ot. And tn spite of the soleui
city of the scene there was something
In bls maimer of delivering the lusult
that amused rather than angered the
American.
"Plucky little devil!" he said half
aloud
Again the sick man groaned, tried to
rise from the blankets and s|x*ak. but
July to fall back moaning. Connell
cautioned him against exertion and
promised that no harm should come to
either of them. While he reported the
discovery to Captain Groce, he had the
man carried to another part of the
church and there made comfortable,
tor the first time now Bansemer began
to notice the pain In bls arm. Some
what angrily he turued to the boy:
“Come. Give an account of yourself!
How came you here?"
"Prisoners," was the sullen answer.
"Of the Filipinos?" Bansemer asked
In surprise.
“Yes.”
"Then why did you try to kill me?"
"I hate you both! We Spaniards,
have we not as much to fear from you?
What difference does color make in
brutes?"
"By the holy apostles!
You're a
gritty young ’un!" growled the return
ing sergeant. "Who's the other chap?"
“My brother—he's dying.” said the
boy, his voice softening "Holy Virgin,
save him! For weeks we've been in
the hands of Aguinaldo's men. He's
been so 111 all the time. Have you a
doctor?"
"A surgeon will probably lie with
us before long," was the sergeant’s
evasive reply.
Bansemer looked searchlngly nt Con
nell. What he saw in the other's eyes
caused him a sharp pang of grief.
Both men turned their faces away for
a moment, and it was with a gulp that
Connell continued:
“Your brother will have the best of
care If we get out of this mess. You
are both safe. We are not lighting ttie
Spaniards.” And then pertinently.
“Bo these were Aguinaldo's men?"
"Yes. He was here directing the
fight.” the boy answered.
"Agulnaldo here!" This and other
ejaculations of surprise and anger
*T«k yea. but why are they carrying
you on a tnar*-h like this?"
My brother is the only man wb*>
knows where the Spanish gobi was
biddso when our war was ended—I
mean the g*J*l ’hat cam«* up with guns
aud ammunition. Agulnaldo Is looking
for the hiding place. My father, a
• h army, <ll***l
r. We were
in ManIla by
re been going
¿MUI s me
*r since. We
i pfS'e to
biding place
A merk a na do not need gold, a
»•ith almost Chestertieldlan grace
“But we are your friends "
Outside ouce more the Mausers were
rattling, and Connell, with a word of
parting, hastily took his leave Gray
don. ou the point of returning to bls
post, was prevented by the girl
"You were gentle with me even
when 1 tried to
Ikm't risk your life
there Sh*x»t from that narrow gate."
pointing aloft. "It's not so exposed."
Bansemer dragged an altar chair up
to the grated window and perched
Bansc-mcr stood w/tm rtly tn front of the
altar and bl<ued uuxip.
himself upon it. The girl sat below
him, boldlug her brother's head lu her
lap. He was groaning and crying out
to the soldiers to kill him rather than
permit lilm to full into the hands of the
natives again.
Suddenly there «as a great comtno-
tlou and crashing of timbers In the
front part of the church, followed by
shouts and the rushing : of feet Gray
don dropped from Ills perch and ran
forth into the chancel, As he did so
the banging of rifle» close at hand
deafened him. In an instant lie saw
what had happened, The Filipinos
had charged the door I and had forced
tt. They were crowding their way
Into the church In the face of the
deadly I<rag-Jorgensens. The chapel
was lighted, but uot from the luslde.
Cunning Insurgents iu the shelter of
the walls were holding great torches
Just outside of the windows. Graydon
could see his comrades firing at the
door from liehlnd every conceivable
barrier. Without hesitation he dashed
down the aisle ami into the thick of
the fray near the door.
The struggle was brief but tierce.
The merciless tire of many Mausers on
tlie outside opened a way through the
small band of defenders, and the rush
of the besiegers was successful.
Through the door and windows they
came, swarming like bees. Many of
them fell to rise no more, but their
comrades took an eye for an eye.
Once confident soldiers toppled over
dead until but few were left Hanse
liter led them In a quick dash for the
chancel, hoping that the enemy would
not tlare attack a place so sacred.
Captain Groce and other officers had
fallen. Connell became the leader of
the remnant. Bansemer stood squarely
In front of the altar and biased away
at the horde of Filipinos as they ail
vancetl. They shot at him wildly and
without effect. Bullets crashed into
the altar decorations la-hind him. He
stood there ns one protected by God.
unharmed in the shelter of the cross.
Behind him his comrades cowered
and cursed In their dread of certain
death He heard the shrill cries of the
girl urging him to protect her brotlier.
She was calling upon God and the
Holy Virgin to aid and shield him.
And lie food there with a crazy Joy
in his be rt. savagely pulling the trig
„-!•:• or 1 e Krag Jorgensen. Finally
'ii- bu: ii er snapped with no report.
As be in iod back in consternation a
1 fi :i. •e leaped to his side with a
fro-'t w . n ; »<>n.
He shouted a word of warning to
her and wheeled again to confront the
foe Even as he raised the gun a great
shout arose above the noise of con
flict. There was a mighty rush, a new
banging of guns, a sudden stampede,
and the chapel wan Ailed with men in
khaki!
CHAPTER XXIII.
I !REAT was the dlaappotnt-
rs meat of Major Man k and
bls men when they f-mnd
I
that neither Agulnaldo
nor Pilar had fallen Into
their hands. Although they bad come
Just in time to prevent the complete
annihilation of the little company the
leaders bad escaped with the remnant
oioved rapidly toward the others
Shortly be returned with the gallant of their surprised fore«*. Scoraa of
Irishman.
Filipinos were captured, doaen. war*
"Señorita,” tregan Connell, mopping killed and wound*- ! Eight of the da-t
hla forehead ami assuming bis most lag -■•ut» who went out wl'h Jerry
polite manner, "you are perfectly safe
ga*t vp tl
with us. and as quickly as possible for th
left at tbr
your brother and yxirw-lf shall be sent
t*ck to Manila Y
of a girl, an*! we I*
tn whatever drees—
Rhe hiolred at
prise, sn*l her II
“Put I tin not
“PrMaft.lT aetw
If
■’Nonsense!" said Graydon "Why *le
the convent Into a well arranged bus you thluk that of me?"
pltal. I'ncle Sam’s benevolence wa»
"Because everybody else thinks It,'
also cheerfully extended to the wound she said, "aid lievaiise I am a very
ed Filipinos. The days of the "watet wise person.
l'be men are not so
cure" am! “ungodly butchery" had noi elmrltal'le as I, seuor. They say that
yet come
you Joined the army because ot some
Young Velasquez died soon after day woman whom you could not marry. I
break
He had l>een dying for days agree with them, except that it is aha
His sister's grief was pathetic In the who would not marry you. Forgive
extreme- aye. demoralising, for It me if I have hurt you?"
struck deep into the hearts of soldiern
Impulsively she put her hand upon
who had scoffed at the llfebltxxl of his. tier dark eyes full of pleading
man. but could not brave the tears ot The touch of her hand did not send a
a woman.
ibrill through him. Such contact, how
Bansemer did all lu tils poser to ever, • atiseU the blood to tingle In the
comfort and console her. It was to qill* k veins of the girl He merely sat
him that she clung In her despair, ll< ami stared Into space After a moment
bad been her captor, and yet It bad she drew her bund away.
been he who stood forth In his might
"1 am sorry." she said.
to defend her and tlie loved one who
"There is a glrl, Teresa," he said
was dead. At nightfall the dead were shortly.
burled In that faroff wilderness, their
"Yes. 1 know Tell me nbout her."
humble graves marked and recorded
"I can't," he exclaimed bitterly. He
before the time when the government arose and walked quickly away Te-
could come to give other graves In resa s dark eyes followed him in pity
other lands to these who had given and wonder aye. affection. Then she
their lives, Velasques was laid beside shook her bend sadly and turned her
the Americans
Teresa, a shivering. attention elsewhere not piqued, much
sobbing little figure in the garb of an to her own amazement.
Insurgent soldier, was supported by
Ite enforcements came up two days
big Graydon Bansemer There was no later with the word that the command
servi e except the short arniv ritual; er In chief expis’tixl the campaign
there was uo priest or pastor; tlie.e against Pilar to etui within a week and
was but one real mourner a pretty, that hard fighting was ahead. The
heart broken girl who lay for hours Bed Cross people were following han!
Ix-slde the rude mound on the hillaldo U|s>n the heels of the regiment, and
Word came back at nightfall that Held hospitals were to tx* established
the detachments were to form a Junc
Every man In the band of newcom
tion at one of the big villages west- ers was singing the praises of a won
ward in two days. The Instruct lone derfully beautiful lied Cross nurse
were that tin* wouuded Filipinos The stories told of her charms were
should lie left In the village, where varied, but none lacked enthusiasm
native women ami doctors would care Some said she was tin* (laughter of a
for them.
rich magnate come to do sen Ice in the
"What In thunder are we to do with cause of humanity; others were sure
the girl?" was the question that came site was a great and Iwautlful aetrees
from the officer In command. More who was sacrificing everything to con
than one man scratched hla head spli-uous advertising
All, however,
thoughtfully ami looked toward the were agreed In tile praise of her noble
disturbing element that bad come Into beauty.
the army. She was sitting alone ami
The little detachmeut on guard turn
disconsolate In front of the church.
ed up its collective nose and proudly
"There's no way to send her back to IMilnteil to Teresa Velasquez.
her friends, and we can’t leave her
"Ixxik at that," said Bob Spurrier.
hen*.” said Bansemer.
"Can she stack up with the hiking
"But, gee whiz! We can't take i her queen? Our girl Is real quality. She's
<>u n hike like this," protested the Ber no common American. She's a gran
geant "She’ll lx* In the way. it nd ilee's daughter. There's royal bl<x>d In
she'll give out, and all that Besl ildee, her.
By thunder, gentlemen, she’«
what would we do with a w otiinn blood kin to little Alfonso.”
around all the time?"
Teresa sought shelter from the curi
"I fancy she can hike all right,” said ous though admiring eyes of the fresh
Graydon. "Major March wouldn't ex arrivals.
pect us to leave her Ixdilnd. That
"I don't like these new soldiers," she
would Is* heartless.”
complained to Graydon. "1 wish they
By the time the party and guides were had not come. Tliey talk of this liesiv-
randy to start on their foreixl march tlful nurse, and they laugh nt me. Oh.
th** opinion unanimously expressed I w Isb 1 hail something else to wear.”
was that Teresa Velasquez should go
"lion't worry, little girl; you're worth
forward also, come what might. She ten nurses,” said he.
hail pleaded so hard and so effectually
"Alas, though I am dressed an a man.
that the meu were fairly swept off I do not feel as Isild ns one.” she la
their feet lu a storm of sympathy.
mented.
"If she gives out we'll carry her!"
The next day re enforcements came
roared a deeply Impressed young man up. and the whole command advanced
with long rad whiskers.
upon Tllad puss, where Pilar, nt last,
"And when we get up to the com hail lx*en cornered. On the 2d of De-
mand we'll make them denied corre eember n desperate conflict took place.
spondents take turn about walkin', so Pflnr was Intrenched In the pass near
she can ride a pony all the time the celebrated ris k kuown ns El Ohls
They've got no business rldln' any po. “the Bishop.” His resistance for a
how.”
time was valorous nnil deadly. Corpo
And so with rosy confidence In the ral Parry saw him mount his borne be
fitness of things and a Just belief lu I hind the barricade <k»o yards nway.
the charity of Major March, the de l’nrry was the best marksman in the
tachment marched out Into the hills, regiment aud, turning to ills chief olfi
tiie ward of the company trudging cel, asked if lie should take a allot at
bravely I -shle the tall and envied Mr. him
Banseincr. v. ho, by the way, aside
He fired, uml Pilar fell, face down
from Is-ing politely attentive, did not ward, and the Americans crushed the
exhibit any undue signs of exaltation. little band of Insurgents. Gregorio del
The prasetn-e of a woman aud a I’llar wan dead. His death In the great
very pretty one ut that, with a sad | hills, nfter a most courageous battle
ness In her eyes that was appealing— against nn overwhelming fon t*, brought
sened only to semi his thoughts to an end a life that would have hem
bounding back to the girl he had left worth much to the Islnuds In after
beh. id.
Re grew more and more years. In ills pockets were found val
morose aud silent as the day wore on. uable papers, lettern and keepsakes.
At times the tired, lonely girl at Ills The lettern were from ills nw eel heart.
side lagged uml east wondering, piteous Do lores Jose, who lived at Dagupan.
glances at him. Iler woman's intui nml they were tender In the extreme.
tion told her that this man did uot lx* Her lace handkerchief rented over his
loug where lie was. It told her also heart.
that he hail a secret and that one of
When the Americana, victorious and
tier sex was deeply Involved.
Jubilant, fpll l*ack to camp, they had no
The events of the next two weeks nmall nufnber of wounded to turn over
are of small consequence In this nar to the tender mercies of the little com
rative, which denis not so much with pany of Red Cross nurses and the sur
the history and mystery of the cam geons.
paign in the fall of 'BU as with the
One of the moot dangerously Injured
welfare and emotlous of a single sol wan Graydon Bansemer. He wan one
dier at the front. Agulnaldo and I’llar of tin* first to crons the danger line.
had tieconie refugees by this time, A Mauaer ball from a distant hill tore
bunted and hounded from place to through his side, leading an ugly, gap
place with relentless fervor. Pilar was ing wound that foretold certain death.
somewhere in the hills with bis men.
the pride of the Insurgent fureee;
Aguinaldo's remnant had scurried off
In another dleectlon, and General Tono
wax on the coast with what whs
of the scattered force
The net about Gregorio del I’llar
being drawn In and tightened,
closing week In November saw
driven to the last eitrrmlt, The trag
edy of Tllad pass whs near at nsud
Teresa Velasquez never falter»0, sev
er tired. Hhe proved herself to ne do
Incumbrance bay after day the off!
cer in command expected the exiiedl
tlon which would take her t*ack to
Manila. Forces came up from the
south, but none were ready to go back
8be wee an inspiration to the ramp.
Men who bad forgotten their manners
(Continued neit Saturday)
oompbx>-i.v brushed them np and
danced Httendance upon the gfrl in the
M RM HIRE FOR THE Gt A RO.
Filipino uniform
Every man prayed for opportunity to
do brave deeds, and when chance came
she was permitted to witness beroism
that savored of th** l»oyh**ed malady
known as “showing off.”
The reenrved but considerate Ranee-
mcr Mas her ckeieat friend and confi
dant. tine evening as they eat slrle by
able watching the preparations for
sui-pev she turner! suddenly and an
need that site knew he was dying
ove for some one. He started, ami
hand trembled.
■Tell me about her," she corn ruan*!
<1. There urs a piquancy, a gay Im
•P
S-'M in Fl''?*’’” *,•. W I
^l9D0