Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-09-30

knowing as I did the class distinctions
Of these people.
For the next two months the chill
dren and l reveled in the beauties of
Japan. By October we returned to
the head of the family, who was hard
at work In Manila.
l was greeted with the pleasing
news that orders were on the way for
us to go home. So l determined to
enjoy as fully as possible the last
weeks Of our sojourn In the East.
When We were hidden, then, by one
Of the various political parties to a
great banquet, l decided to go, as II
was to be nearly the last Of my Fill
pinO entertainments.
All the American civil officials and
many officers Of the army and navy
were there. felt quite lost among
- many personages Of rank. was
taken out to the repast BY q nice In
fantrJ major. and We at far dpwn
below the notables.
Some distance from where I sat I
saw my late cotillion partner talking
to Filipino woman; on looking more
closely l perceived that he was en-
gagged in an animated converse ton
with-could It be Yes. it certainly
was-POrtuna! Fortuna. quite as I'M
beautiful as ever. but gorgeously ar
rayed; her camisa stiff with embroid-
cry, a spray Of diamond roses four
Inches long in her hair, and about her
neck string Of pearls for which l
would have given ten years Of my ex-
istence. She seemed to find the re-
marks of the high official interesting;
indeed, she laughed in a coquettsh
manner; and as for him, he did not
seem 30 find the banquet the perfume
tory bore these affairs usually are to
men of his kind-he really appeared to
be enjoying himself.
When the banquet was over, Por-
tuna came up and greeted me with
effusion. She was not proud. She
asked about the children with tears
in her eyes, and promised to come and
see them. She introduced her hus-
band, who regarded her with adoring
eyes. l found him to be very intelli-
gent and we talked together Of the
traffic question and Of the future Of
the Malay race while we were sitting
out a dance q sat out several that
evening".
The high official rushed up to US
Not having seen him for two months,
l supposed that he had come to pay
his respects. He barely nodded to
me.
"Oh, how do you do, Mrs.-er-
Crane" Then. Where is that attrac-
tive little wife Of yours, Sebastianol
want 10 see II she will dance the
Rgodon with me-"
With that he darted of, and soon
saw him standing, with Fortuna as a
partner.
The next time / saw Fortuna was
on the transport Sheridan. We left
for home on very short notice. and In
some way she heard Of II. and appear
ed just before the vessel sailed, bear
ing gifts Of plan and jusi and Canton
linen for me and the children. She
was the very same Fortuna. but the
evident affection she had for me had
awakened quite a warm feeling for
her in my heart, 80 submitted to her
embrace, while the children clung to
her with tears.
The last gong had sounded, and
when half way down the gangway
Fortuna turned and waved her hand
The sun fell upon her costly rings.
and among the diamonds and pearls
l noticed upon her little finger the
CLINT Of blue moonstone.
Leaning over the side Of the ship,
Tom and l saw her enter comfort
able little private launch, and steam
Off in state.
What a promotion for Fortuna"
remarked. How do you suppose 1t
ever happened?'
at Is rather remarkable" said my
better-half, as he lazily flicked the
ashes from a Germinal cigar, "but
then you know, for Filipino, Por-
tuna is really very pretty woman"
Con L',o pciono Aroona,,t