The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-08-07
by the light shining through the open win

by the light shining through the open win
dows
At that moment Mamie had gone to the
kitchen in the rear of the house on some. do
mestic errand. But Jane was sitting on the
porch watching the approaching cavalier with
palpitaiing heart. To her there was but one
who wore the uniform of Yankee cavalry
man, and when Dave drew rein at the gate, she
only thought of Viii, and sprang down the
path TO meet him.
"0i I'm SO glad you've comer she painted
The moment her hand touched his Dave
caught her to him and kissed her passionatey.
At that moment Mamie, attracted by the
sound OF the hoof beats, rushed out on the
porch. Her amazement and rage at seeing
Jane in her lovers arms was boundless
Oh, you traitors !" was all she could say.
At the sound of her voice Dave released his
hold on Jane, who had discovered her mistake
the moment she spoke to him, but was not
quick enough to elude his swift grasp.
fou insulting rascal, what did yon do that
fort she said, stamping her little foot angrily.
''0h, that's very fine in you now after
caught you" said Mamie crushingly. Your
anger is well put on. You'd make good act
ress. As for you Mr.. Yankee, you can just go
back as quickly as you came. / don't want to
ever lay eyes ON you again"
:" But girls, do listen to me-" pleaded Dave.
Its all an awful mistake"
VI course, sneered Miss Jane.
"Of course" loftily echoed Miss Mamie.
" So easy TO mistake me for girl a foot
higher" shifted Miss Jane.
" 1t was an awful mistake for you two to be
kissing without making sure where L wa" I"
said Miss Mamie. "Good evening, sir"
:" Don't turn me away that way, Mamie"
begged Dave. "Let me say just a word"
III allow yon just dozen," said Mamie
decisively.
Ir,41 ~.
distinguish you girls-I can't even see yoE,
Mamie. i can't tell the house from the hill"
"Blind-lost his sight? Well, that is a
storyi We thought a Yankee would get up a
better excuse than that"
I" 1t is true whatever you may say-Im
moon-blind."
"Well,n said Miss Mamie derisively, "Pve
heard of people who We're empty in the upper
story being moon-Struck. That's what they say
of old Jarvis, who hasn't sense enough to eat
when he's hungry. But / never heard of a
man when he was caught kissing the wrong
girl try 10 wriggle out of it by claiming TO be
moon-blindD
Il believe have heard of moon blindness" /"
said Jane, cudgeling her memory.
oh, I've no doubt you have" said Miss
Mamie witheringly. "You were no doubt
moon blind too, only you couldn't think of it
as quick rs Dir. Yankee Noon blindness
well, if that isn't the latest"
But Dave was now desperate, and he pleaded
so earnestly that she listened to his arguments,
but did not restore him TO favor until he came
back some days after with a Surgeons excuse
from duty on account Of his attack of NOON
blindness, and Jane was never able to entirely
free her mind in regard TO her share in the
matter. Dave has been the loyal husband of
Mamie for many years now, but she has not
ceased TO be watchful of him when he is in the
presence of other women on moonlight nights.
When the story was told TO Mat Langan he
said: well, of all the thin stories that ever
heard that's the thinnesti He kissed that
dumpy little red-head instead of the slender
black haired girl. and then got out of it by
saying he was moon blind. He ought to have
pleaded momentary insanity-that is, after he
got caught. If he hadn't been caught there
would have been no necessity of saying any
thing about il at ALL