Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1903-08-05

OF 1.-THE big window Her head was CO.
,quattishly covered by mantilla of
black lace, and in her hand she held the
dainty fan which she knew so well how
to nse. The wonderful letter was in
the inner pocket of his blouse. He sa-
luted iblushingly; 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 dos, senor," she replied.
with biushes
With q military gesture he took the
letter from hisipocket 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
is 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 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 10 barracks. He had not seen
her again. But the memory of that
smile was with him still.
Next morning Mt roll call the lieuten-
ant who inspected glanced approvingly
at Private Johnson's shoes and buttons
and speckiess 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
dierIy 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 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?'
Eyes. sir"
"Then why did you gratuitously in
suit the Senorita Mercedes y BordozaE'
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 Johnson's face was pale. "No,
sir" he said very firmly. 81 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?"
81 did. sir"
''In this letter?'
Eyes, SIR
"Did you write it?"
"No. sir; had it written"
Ibid you tell the man who wrote it
for you to address her as MY Dear
Turnip" to speak of her father as
blackguard?'
Johnson was speeches.. 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
laton 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
1. 4