The Rifle Rangers Part 29

I drew aside the curtains--a bank of snow--pillows, as if prepared for the cheek of a beautiful bride. I had not slept in a bed for two months. A close crib in a transport s.h.i.+p--a "shake-down" among the scorpions and spiders of Lobos--a single blanket among the sand-hills, where it was not unusual to wake up half-buried by the drift.

These were my _souvenirs_. Fancy the prospect! It certainly invited repose; and yet I was in no humour to sleep. My brain was in a whirl.

The strange incidents of the day--some of them were mysterious--crowded into my mind. My whole system, mental as well as physical, was flushed; and thought followed thought with nervous rapidity.

My heart shared the excitement--chords long silent had been touched--the divine element was fairly enthroned. I was in love!

It was not the first pa.s.sion of my life, and I easily recognised it.

Even jealousy had begun to distil its poison--"Don Santiago!"

I was standing in front of a large mirror, when I noticed two small miniatures hanging against the wall--one on each side of the gla.s.s.

I bent over to examine, first, that which hung upon the right. I gazed with emotion. They were _her_ features; "and yet," thought I, "the painter has not flattered her; it might better represent her ten years hence: still, the likeness is there. Stupid artist!" I turned to the other. "Her fair sister, no doubt. Gracious heaven! Do my eyes deceive me? No, the black wavy hair--the arching brows--the sinister lip--_Dubrosc_!"

A sharp pang shot through my heart. I looked at the picture again and again with a kind of incredulous bewilderment; but every fresh examination only strengthened conviction. "There is no mistaking those features--they are his!" Paralysed with the shock, I sank into a chair, my heart filled with the most painful emotions.

For some moments I was unable to think, much less to act.

"What can it mean? Is this accomplished villain a fiend?--the fiend of my existence?--thus to cross me at every point, perhaps in the end to--."

Our mutual dislike at first meeting--Lobos--his reappearance upon the sand-hills, the mystery of his pa.s.sing the lines and again appearing with the guerilla--all came forcibly upon my recollection; and now I seized the lamp and rushed back to the pictures.

"Yes, I am _not_ mistaken; it is he--it is she, her features--all--all.

And thus, too!--the position--side by side--counterparts! There are no others on the wall; matched--mated--perhaps betrothed! His name, too, Don Emilio! The American who taught them Englis.h.!.+ _His_ is Emile--the voice on the island cried `Emile!' Oh, the coincidence is complete!

This villain, handsome and accomplished as he is, has been here before me! Betrothed--perhaps married--perhaps--Torture! horrible!"

I reeled back to my chair, das.h.i.+ng the lamp recklessly upon the table.

I know not how long I sat, but a world of wintry thoughts pa.s.sed through my heart and brain. A clock striking from a large picture awoke me from my reverie. I did not count the hours. Music began to play behind the picture. It was a sad, sweet air, that chimed with my feelings, and to some extent soothed them. I rose at length, and, hastily undressing, threw myself upon the bed, mentally resolving to forget all--to forget that I had ever seen her.

"I will rise early--return to camp without meeting her, and, once there, my duties will drive away this painful fancy. The drum and the fife and the roar of the cannon will drown remembrance. Ha! it was only a pa.s.sing thought at best--the hallucination of a moment. I shall easily get rid of it. Ha! ha!"

I laid my fevered cheek upon the soft, cold pillow. I felt composed-- almost happy.

"A Creole of New Orleans! How could he have been here? Oh! have I not the explanation already? Why should I dwell on it?"

Ah, jealous heart--it is easy to say "forget!"

I tried to prevent my thoughts from returning to this theme. I directed them to a thousand things: to the s.h.i.+ps--to the landing--to the army--to the soldiers--to the b.u.t.tons upon their jackets and the swabs upon their shoulders--to everything I could think of: all in vain. Back, back, back! in painful throes it came, and my heart throbbed, and my brain burned with bitter memories freshly awakened.

I turned and tossed upon my couch for many a long hour. The clock in the picture struck, and played the same music again and again, still soothing me as before. Even despair has its moments of respite; and, worn with fatigue, mental as well as physical, I listened to the sad, sweet strain, until it died away into my dreams.

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.

THE LIGHT AFTER THE SHADE.

When I awoke all was darkness around me. I threw out my arms and opened the damask curtains. Not a ray of light entered the room. I felt refreshed, and from this I concluded I must have slept long. I slipped out upon the floor and commenced groping for my watch. Someone knocked.

"Come in!" I called.

The door opened, and a flood of light gushed into the apartment. It was a servant bearing a lamp.

"What is the hour?" I demanded.

"Nine o'clock, _mi amo_," (my master), was the reply.

The servant set down the lamp and went out. Another immediately entered, carrying a salver with a small gold cup.

"What have you there?"

"_Chocolate_, master; Dona Joaquina has sent it."

I drank off the beverage, and hastened to dress myself. I was reflecting whether I should pa.s.s on to camp without seeing any one of the family. Somehow, my heart felt less heavy. I believe the morning always brings relief to pain, either mental or bodily. It seems to be a law of nature--at least, so my experience tells me. The morning air, buoyant and balmy, dulls the edge of anguish. New hopes arise and new projects appear with the sun. The invalid, couch-tossing through the long watches of the night, will acknowledge this truth.

I did not approach the mirror. I dared not.

"I will not looked upon the loved, the hated face--no, on to the camp!-- let Lethe--. Has my friend arisen?"

"Yes, master; he has been up for hours."

"Ha! where is he?"

"In the garden, master."

"Alone?"

"No, master; he is with the _ninas_."

"Happy, light-hearted Clayley! No jealous thoughts to torture him!"

mused I, as I buckled on my stock.

I had observed that the fair-haired sister and he were kindred spirits-- sympathetic natures, who only needed to be placed _en rapport_ to "like each other mightily"--beings who could laugh, dance, and sing together, romp for months, and then get married, as a thing of course; but, should any accident prevent this happy consummation, could say "good-bye" and part without a broken heart on either side; an easy thing for natures like theirs; a return exchange of numerous _billets-doux_, a laugh over the past, and a light heart for the future. Such is the history of many a love. I can vouch for it. How different with--

"Tell my friend, when he returns to the house, that I wish to see him."

"Yes, master."

The servant bowed and left the room.

In a few minutes Clayley made his appearance, gay as a gra.s.shopper.

"So, good lieutenant, you have been improving your time, I hear?"

"Haven't I, though? Such a delicious stroll! Haller, this _is_ a paradise."

"Where have you been?"

"Feeding the swans," replied Clayley, with a laugh. "But, by the way, your _chere amie_ hangs her pretty head this morning. She seems hurt that you have not been up. She kept constantly looking towards the house."