The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1903-12-11

is nothing but pleasure, and no time
but now"
The plrnk-plunk of a guitar close by
startled them both. Simplicia trembled
violently.
at is a foolish man who is always
singing to me-" she explained.
A clear, musical voice rose in a song,
and the soldier checked q question to
listen, for the voice and the song
charmed him from the first note. The
song was in Spanish, and, though he
was by no mean perfect in the Ian
guagc, he caught the meaning and
spirit Of it. 1t ran something to this
effect:
Bright are the caves and the blossoms
that grow in the beautiful AXE coun-
try,
They fill the place with brilliancc Of
things celestial.
Some of them drop or are thrown to the
river,
Helpless they drift on its swift running
surface.
Down past the city through STIFFNESS foul,
Out they are whirled to waters eternal,
Lost and forgotten forever and ever.
Blossom ] cherish; III hold thee.
Never shalt thou leave the lake country,
But my heart, 4 is sad for the leaves III
the Pasig.
The last VOL is died on the air like
the sob Or the faint cry of a passing
spirit. The soldier sat mute, like one
bewitched by fairy music. Simplicia's
lips, pressed against his cheek, brought
him back 10 her.
Il do not care for him. On my soul,
I do not" she whispered. She was
pretty, and her arm frightened coaxins-
ly about his neck. His better nature
was conquered, and the devil in his
blood reigned supreme. The situation
suddenly seemed highly amusing, and
he laughed a suppressed laugh of reck-
lessness. To be serenaded by a native
poet while the arm of the troubadour's
lady love encircled his ~neck-verily he
would have a great tale to tell some
day.
There was a faint sound of a foot
fall on the deck of the casco. The SOL
der d~isengaged himself. A face peeped
in through an opening in the thatch,
and the American struck it a sharp
blow with his fist. He would have
rushed after the intruder, but Sim
plicia held him.
"It is only a foolish man." she said,
do not follow him. 1t would make
trouble"
81 would not bring you any trouble"
he said. What is the matter? You
tremble."
1T is nothing" she replied. 81 love
you"
The soldiers conscience smote him.
He swore that he loved her, and tried
to believe that it was true. She seemed
almost happy again.
"To-morrow the casco goes up to the
lake again, and we will be gone three
days. Oh, that is SO long!'
VERY long" he assented.
Put you will wait and think Of me
always"
Eyes, I will watch the leaves on the
river-'
mo! no! Do not speak of them.
Madre del Dios! l hate the river, and
/ hate the leaves it drags along. l
think 1 hate everything but you"
The soldier vas young, and this was
his first experience with hysteiia and
woman, which combination often dis
turbs even wiser heads. 1t disturbed
him exceedingly, but he soothed her
finally With the widest vows and many
kisses.
For the second time she watched the
till it glided into the shadows.
Then she shivered violently, chilled to
the bone.
A sergeant of a certain regiment of
United States volunteers was prowling
along the brink of the Pasig, outside
the Quartet Infanteria's walls, looking
for a pet monkey that had disappeared.
Something in the long grass caught his
eve and he stepped, He stepped back
quickly and hurried around the corner
of the wall, returning with four SOL
diers.
He parted the grass with his arms,
and they saw the dead body of a Fill
ipino girl. Her face was concealed by
q d~isordered mass of black hair, and.
pinned to her breast by a rudely fash
Toned knife that was buried to the hilt,
was a miniature insurgent flag.
They tenderly bore the body to the
pathway, and the hair fell from the
face Ono Of the soldiers let go his
hold and tottered to the ground.
"Harrison's a softly" grunted one of
the men. Take hold, sergeant. He's
tainted, | guess"
The form was placed in ar unused
storeroom. When the news went round
h men came TO view it, not out of
curiosity, but to show respect such as
they would pay to their own dead.
This is the way / make it OUT said
the sergeant, sagelye "The girl was
killed by Aguinaldo's gang, and it must
have been because she spoke a good
word for our people,"
"And we'll take it out of their hides
when the time comes" said mi of the
soldiers, SWAPPING his jaws together,
which resolution the regiment unani-
mousIy adopted. Even the chaplain re-
Trained from Gliding when he heard
OF it. He knew his flock.
There being no way of finding ont
anything about the girl, a fund was
quickly collected and arrangements
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