The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-12-20


approached HObsOn in her turn. She
was tall enough to almost look him IN
the eyes on the level, and there was
silence as the two met. They gazed at
each other searchingly for an instant.
then a smile broke out on each face,
and the woman, clasping hands with
the lieutenant, queried in soft,yet dis
tinct voice:
May 1 enjoy the sweets of life, too?"
''WelI, I guess" came the return, as
the brave man pillowed her head upon
his shoulder. He was very deliberate
about this, and the crowd watched the
operation with bated breath. The wO-
man knew how, and HObson knew how,
and there was a long drawn out ''ah-
ah-ah-ah'' when the lips met. They
fingered over it. Evidently both were
enjoying it, and before that fair head
left that manly breast HobsOn had ta-
ken another, just for luck. And as the
woman raised her head she said, softly:
you are all right on dress parade,
wonder how you are on duty"
The woman was Pauline Hall, the ia
nous comic opera singer, who is just
at the present time filling an engage
ment at the OrphetIm And those who
witnessed that kiss will never forget it.
There were all sorts of enjoyable lit
tie incidents such as these, and the as
semb1age was kept in a constant ripple
of amused laughter. There was
amazing number of pretty girls there
it seemed as if every one in the city
had turned out-and every one of them
had the satisfaction OF having her lips
glued to those of the hero of Santiago.
There was one petite miss, a perfect
poem in blue and white who hesitating-
ly approached the willing victim of all
this osculation. She grasped his hand
timidly, and looked into his eyes with
her big blue Orbs.
''WelI," smiled the lieutenant
'I want to, but 1 DON'T just then
he kissed her.
May I be another Miss Arnold ?''ask-
ed one handsome girl who stood before
Lieut.. Hobson.
Are you bashful?" he questioned.
'fNo, indeed" was the reply. as she
fell into the arms of the lieutenant as
though he were a lOng-lost sweetheart.
ct am a niece of Gen. Gilmore" said a
tall girl. 81 must not kiss you, although
I would like to do it,
''I want your autograph" was the re-
mark made by the next to pass in front
of the lieutenant.
you know the penalty, ,"he replied as
he scratched his name on a card. She
got the card, a sound kiss and a close
embrace all at once.
One woman handed her card for an
autograph. Lieut.. Hobson wrote his
name, and then inttHnated that he would
not deliver the card without a kiss.
''Well, you will have to keep the card"
said the woman, but the hero was gen
erous. and she got her card without
any lip-service.
eff that mistletoe were hanging over
your head we would all kiss you said
Mrs. Barnes, pointing to a sprig of mis-
Lieut.. Hobson and which was thrust in
his button-hole.
''Wen. we won't stop for that re-
piled the officer, and Mrs. Barnes was
kissed.
st am a Kansas girl" said one young
woman with anxious eyes. May I en-
joy the sweets of life" For this repre-
sentative of the Sunflower state the
"sweets of life came in the shape of a
kiss which awakened echoes on the 9TH
er side of the Kaw.
do you want an autograph" asked
Lieut. HobsOn of one shy girl.
mo, sir" was the reply. ''I have an
autograph. Now I want only a kiss"
Did she get it? Well. the lieutenant
gave her an extra long one for good
eve shall canonize you after you are
dead,f was the remark of one wo-
would you like to have a kiss for
Il would like to have one, but do
tt made little difference whether she
dared or not. She got the kiss.
st am Lieut.. Butterfield's daughter"
said a young woman with bright eyes.
THE army and navy should never be
parted" said Lieut. HObsOn, as he
threw his arms around her neck and
gave her a salute.
She Didn't Mind 1t a Bit.
Miss Lillian Partridge held Lieut.. Hob
sons hand for moment and looked in
to his eyes.
You don't mind this, do you?" said
he. as he kissed her.
"Oh, no; I DON'T mind that in the
least" was the reply.
There was one girl who asked for two
autographs, and in payment she will
lingly gave up two kisses Another did
not propose TO have all her pleasure at
one time and she got in line and came
up second time for an autograph and
a kiss or a kiss and an autograph, as
the case might be.
One of the pretty scenes was that
which occurred when little Laura Reed
put her arms around Lieut.. Hobson's 3
neck and gave him a kiss for the one
he had given her.
st am a representative of the school
of oratory, and OF Romeo and Juliet in