The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1903-10-14

dainty fan which she knew so well how
to use. The wonderful letter was in
the inner pocket of his blouse. He sd.
luted blushingly; 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 Dlos, senor,' she replied,
with bushes.
With a 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 If to say:
rs this for me?'
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 hin, 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.
Nnxt r,nr,in., ,t ,oII ,,Il tIn lgat,tnn.
ant who inspected glanced approvingly
ut 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.
dierly decision did as he was told. The
colonel seemed in bad temper.
Johnson he said sharply, you
have n good record
Johnson looked pleased.
You know that you're going home
next week, don't youy"
II have heard so, sir"
"Well. then, why didn't you try to
keep your record cleany" asked the
colonel pettishly. He was n martinez,
but he was really fond Of his good
men.
II have tried to, sir" said Johnson
proudly.
do you know what the orders are
about insulting the citizens of Ha.
vana?'
Eyes, sir"
'Then why did you gratuitously in.
suit the Senorita Mercedes y BordoZa?'
Johnson was aroused. II have not
insulted 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,"
Il did, sir" said Private Johnson.
The colonel was getting red in the
face. "And don't you consider il insult
ing?' he demanded.
Private JOhnson's face was pale. mo,
SIR he said very firmly. Il DO not
think it an insult to any woman on
earth for an American citizen and sol
der TO ask her to be his wife"
The colonel gasped. Your wife!' he
exclaimed. did you ask her to marry
you?'
II did, sir"
"In this l%etter?"
Eyes, sir"
did you write it,"
"No. sir; | had it written"
"Did you tell the man who wrote II
for you to address her as my Dear
Turnip," to speak of her father as n
blackguard?'
Johnson was speechless. The colonel
saw his real distress and slowly and
even mercifully translated the perfidi
Gus l~ieutenant's composition to him. He
was sorely tempted to shout with laugh
ter, but he was merciful and did not.
La Lucia is n newspaper in Havana
which has two pages in Spanish and
two pages containing an English trans.
lation of them.
In the English of La Lucia that very
day was announced the engagement of
Lieutenant Jose Linares of the rurales
to Signorita Mercedes Y Bordoza.
And Private Johnson understood why
he had been fooled.