The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1903-09-18

of the big window. Her head was co
quettshiy covered by mantilla of
black lace. and i'm her hand she held the
dainty fan which she knew SO well howl
To use. The wonderful letter was inl
the inner pocket of his blouse. He Sal
luted blushingly; she waved her handl
toward him and smiled. He glanced
up and down the street. The COAST
was wholly clear; so. with his cheeksl
flaming he approached the window.
"Buenos Dios. senorita," he said fall
teringly.
"Buenos Dios. senor" 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 If to say:
lis this for me?"
He bowed assent. She quickly thrust
the letter into the bosom of her bodice.
Then she turned away, but before shel
wholly vanished she blew him a bash
full kiss from the tip of her fan.
All morning Private Johnson watch
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 lieuten-,
ant who inspected glanced approvinglyi
at Private Johnsons 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 a good record"
Johnson looked pleased.
You know that you're going home
next week. don't you?"
Il have heard so, sir"
"Well, then, why didn't you try. to
keep your record clean?" 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-
vana?'
..SoS sir
"Then why did you gratuitously in
suit the Senorita Mercedes Bordoza?'
Johnson was aroused. Il 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 it insult
ing?" he demanded.
Private Johnsons 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"
sin this letter."
Yes. 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 a
blackguardT"
Johnson was speechless. The colonel
saw his real distress and slowly and
even mercifully translated the perfdl
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 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
ha hoH