The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-08-14

or wraps into the soft evening air. They
had two guitars, a violin, and flute with
them, and invited me to join them in a
moonlight canoe trip up the Pasig.
glanced eagerly at Nita, who gave the
slightest nod Of approval; SO 1 gladly &C
cepted, and together we all went down
toward the river, the ladies humming in
chorus little Spanish air, while one of
them picked an accompaniment on her
guitar, which was slung from her neck by
a ribbon. When we reached the river
bank l lowered near Mia, to lay for con-
tiguous seat in one of the two long dug out
canoes waiting for US. We were soon dis
tributed, and the Indians at either end
showed off with their paddles, and then
headed up the river, keeping abreast in
order mutually to enjoy the music. My
seat was in the bottom of the boat at Nita's
feet, which l considered rather bien reuss,
The night was warm and still, the river
up which we padded narrow, and bordered
by the luxurious vegetation of the tropics.
Sometimes the palm and banana-trees on
either side arched the stream, and through
them came the rich moonlight, shining
upon the graceful forms of the Spanish
girls in our canoes, completing a fascinat-
ing scene. Then, to one of those bewitch-
ing accompaniment, Mia sang an Anda-
lusian song, aiding its expression by her
hand and fan, as only Spanish girls can do.
At its close, had she requested me, would
have plunged to the bottom of that silent
river. With all the eloquence of my soul
(that is, all that my Spanish would allow,
l whispered in her listening ear that night,
as she, leaning over the boats side with
me, trailed her snowy hand through the
phosphorescent water, or looked up at me
with her handsome eyes. 1t was past
midnight when we returned from that
delicious trip, the memory of which is like
some happy dream of impossible delight.
AS pressed Nita's warm little hand good
night there was slight responsive squeeze.
The following day the mail steamer from
Hong Kong arrived, bringing US orders
from the Admiral to join him there at
once. This was bitter disappointment to
US; had we been girls, we would have wept
on each others bosoms. Not one but was
daft about some lovely Castilian, and to be
torn away thus suddenly was torture. We
sadly prepared our P P. C's in the Spanish
style. by writing GA. o. P. Hong Kong"
in the corner of our cards, which means
"Algunos ordenes para Hong Kong" or,
"Any orders for Hong Kong" conveying
much more meaning than "Pour prendre
congo" We went ashore for the last time
on the hospitable island of Luzon, and
drove through the streets in all directions
saying farewell. After leaving the houses
the young ladies would run to the front
windows as we drove off, open the lattice
moment, wave their hands, and shout
"Adiosr' or, "Hasta la vistan' and then
close the Venetian with a snap. l put off
calling on Nita till the last, and, when
finally drove past the clock tower to her
house, my sorrow was doubled at finding
her, with all her family, in a sort of Jersey
wagon, just starting for some place out of
lo"hs VI SouiSo Oil opportunities lol d
tender exchange of sentiment were knocked
by this untoward circumstance. They
babe me cordial goodbye, and l was
about leaving them in sadness, when made
sudden determination to have a more
affectionate one with Mia, who was sitting
in the back seat; SO jumped behind the
wagon, pulled open the curtain, and threw
my arms around her. At this supreme
moment she met me half way, and placed
her lovely face near mine, when l naturally
began kissing her with all the fervor of a
midshipman's soul. Brevet papa-in-l law,
Mortified, started up the team to shake me
off, brevet mamma-in-law tainted away,
and the sisters clasped their hands in hys-
teric sympathy. At the same time one of
our fellows was hanging to me by my foot,
vsinly endeavoring to drag me away, but l
had the pleasure of kissing her half block
before was torn forever from the fairest
daughter of Spain.
suppose might introduce a little fiction
at this point, and say "my own darling
Nita is looking over my shoulder as write,
reminding me of those blissful Manila
days." but she isn't, and. have never
heard of her since.-Seribnsr for august.
DIR. SchIiemann and His Discoveries.