Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1903-09-01

Spanish girl appeared behind the barr
OF the big window. Her head was CO.
quettishly covered by mantilla of
black lace, and in her hand she held the
dainty fan which she knew so well how
to use. The wonderful letter was in
the inner pocket of his blouse. He sa-
luted bIushingly; she waved her hand
toward him and smiled. He glanced
up and down the street. The coast
was wholly clear; so. with his cheeks
flaming. he approached the window.
'Buenos Dios. senorita," he said fall.
teringly.
''Buenos Dios. senor.r she replied.
with bushes.
With military gesture he took the
letter from his pocket and presented it.
She seemed to be much surprised
Her flush grew deeper. and she placed
her hand upon her breast as IL TO say:
is this for me?v
He bowed assent She quickly thrust
the letter into the bosom of her bodice
Then she turned away, but before she
wholly vanished she blew him a bash.
full kiss from the tip of her fan.
All morning Private Johnson watch.
ed for her in vain. During his after
noon tour of duty his eyes were on the
window whenever he could keep them
there.
He was greatly disappointed when
the night relief came on and he was
picked up by the retiring squad for the
return to barracks. He had not seen
her again. But the memory of that
smile was with him still.
Next morning at roll call the heuten-
ant who inspected glanced approvingly
at Private Johnson's shoes and buttons
and speckless uniform. But just be
fore dismissal he called OUT:
Private Johnson, fall out and re-
port to the colonel"
Johnson was amazed, but with sol.
dlerly decision did as he was told. The
colonel seemed in bad temper.
Johnson" he said sharply, "you
have good record"
johnson looked pleased.
You know that you're going home
next week, don't your"
81 have heard SO, SIR"
"Well, then, why didn't you try to
keep your record cleanT asked the
colonel pettishly. He was a martinez.
but he was really fond of his good
men.
Il have tried to- sir" said Johnson
proudly.
do you know what the orders are
about insulting the citizens of Ha-
vanay'
Yes, sir.'
'Then why did you gratuitously in
suit the Senorita Mercedes y Bordoza ?"
johnson was aroused. Il have not
insuIted her." he said firmly.
The colonel picked up an envelope
which had been lying on his table and
produced the letter which had been hid
den in the senorita's bosom on the day
before. Did you not give this letter
to her yesterday? She says you did.
and your name is signed to it,"
81 did, SIR" said Private johnson.
The colonel was getting red in the
face. "And don't you consider it insult
mgr he demanded.
Private Johnson's face was pale. No.
sir" he said very firmly. II do not
think 1t an insult TO any woman on
earth for an American citizen and sol
dier to ask her to be his wife"
The colonel gasped. "Your wifep' he
exclaimed. did you ask her to marry
you"
81 did, SIR
"In this letterY'
'Yes, sir"
did you write it?'
mo, sir; had it written"
ibid you tell the man who wrote II
for you to address her as my Dear
Turnip." to speak of her father as a
blackguard?"
Johnson was speechless. The colonel
saw his real distress and slowly and
even mercifully translated the perfidi-
GUS lieutenant's composition to him. He
was sorely tempted to shout with laugh
ter, but he was merciful and did not.
La Lucia is a newspaper in Havana
which has two pages In Spanish and
two pages containing an English trans
lation of them.
In the English OF La Lucha that very
day was announced the engagement Of
Lieutenant Jose Linares of the rurales
to Slgnorita Mercedes y Bordoza.
And Private Johnson understood why
he had been fooled.