Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1886-07-15
The Constellation,s MILDLY.
By NED 3uNTLrNE.


II dare you to dress up in girls
clothes and wear them to the masquer-
ade tonight cried Carolina Boyd,
the prettiest brunette in the City of
Havana, addressing Midshipman B.,
who had just come on shore from his
ship, the frigate Constellation, then
in the harbor.
can American midshipman dares to
do anything that Is not dishonorable."
replied the young officer, not yet out
of his 10Th year. 'If you'll lend me
the garments I'll wear them or perish
in the endeavorl"
II will-of course, wilt" cried the
lively girl. ooh, mamma, Ito her
widow mother-"will he not make up
lust lovely. You and Sabina, my maid,
shall dress him. Heis just my hight, has
such small hands and feet and his com
plexion is lily and rose combined. His
long hair, almost like new gold IN hue,
can be curled about his white neck
oh, he'll be too sweet for utterance!'
As it was planned, so it was carried
out.
That night on thegreat dancing floor
of the Teatro de Tacon, there were no
other girls to compare with a blonde
and brunette under the watehful care
OF La Sonora Boyd. They were mask
ed, OF course, but their figures eXquis-
itely robed i'll snow. white muslin were
as near perfection as sculptor could
wish in a model.
From the very first waltz they were
literally surrounded by officers who
aspired to the pleasure of a dance
with them. Capt. Renshaw, OF the
Constellation, became literally infatu-
ated with the blonde, the more SO
when from her low tones he learned
she was an American staying in the
city with some Cuban friends.
He sought to get her away from the
GRO Nd where he could pour out the
passion OF his soul in words of love,
and after repeated failures at last
gained her consent to take some cake
and wine IN the reireshment arbors in
the rear of the great ball room.
There, over a glass ofradiant Here's,
he declared that his love, though sud-
den. was as boundless as the sea on
which he made his home, and pray
ed for a return. Signing softly, the
lovely blonde acknowledged that she
loved sailors and could be happy with
him, on the ocean wave.
Love of my llfe-wear this in token
of this happy hour" he whispered,
and he pressed on her first finger a
large solitaire diamond ring, which he
took from the little finger OF his left
hand.
She trembled with excitement, and
he felt that the conquest was sure and
he had won prize.
"When will we meet again." he ask
ed, when his fair companion insisted on
returning to the bali room, lest her
friends alarmed at her absence should
ask for her.
"To-morrow-som | cannot
think now. But | will let you know.
| have your name and ship and you
shall surely hear from me-"
81 must be content with that prom
Use, fair angel" he said, and he press
ed her hand tenderly.
He went on board his ship at late
hour, exultant and almost too happy
to sleep.
In the morning, rising late, he didnot
feel like breaSfasting alone and order
ed the steward to invite Midshipman
B., his aide, TO Join him at the table.
The young man came In, looking
pale and wearied. He pleaded head
ache, said he had been up all night and
asked to be excused.
"No-no-a cup of strong coffee will
do you good. I'll drop little cordial
in it," said the captain. "Sit down,
sir-sit down"
The youngster could only obey, and
the Captain prepared the coffee. As
B. reached out his hand to receive 1t,
a ring sparkling on the forefinger OF
the same caught the eye OF the Cap
tain.
p where did you get that diamond,
sir?" Numbered the officer, recogniz.
ing the stone by its size and setting.
my lover gave it to me last night
at the Tacon theater, as token OF a
passion as boundless as the sea itself"
said B., with blush and o sigh that
told the Captain in a second how he
had been duped. -
"You young devilr' he exclaimed.
"If you ever breathe word ofmy fol-
ly to an officer in our squadron, I'll
keel-haul-you!"
II could not, sir! To be honored, as
l was last night, is a Joy too great to
be shared by others!"
'fYou little rascal! Idon't care. You
made up prettier than any girl in the
ballroom and danced like a fairy.
Keep the ring as long as you keepyour
mouth shut. If the story got out, ]
would never hear the last of i'll"
B. kept the ring until some years
after, when, marrying, he gave it to
his bride. And this a is true story
Detroit Free Press.