The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1904-02-12


were selfish, and
| 90 Simplicia returned the salutation,
and stood leaning over the bulwarI
tasting the delirious delight Of her hrst
0irtation. The mamie was Z college
hoy until the United States govern
ment gave him . suit of khaki and
the right to bear the former designa-
tion-thrilled with Joy 1t the delicious
novelty Of the situation. He was in a
city that was at once the tropics and
the orient, and over which hung the
glamour Of departed medieval days.
For several hundred years guitars had
tinkled on that river. and voices had
been lifted to latticed windows. The
air was laden with CHESTS Of every
thing but common sense and scruples.
A bugle across the river caused the
man to recollect that he was under
certain restraint. 81 must CO." he
said. but he did not release his hold
on the casco.
Simplicia's eyes were big and bright
In the moonlight He stretched out
one arm and drew her face toward
him. She tore herself away and stood
breathing hurriedly through parted
lips.
'Manana por Ia noche." said the SOL
der. He piled the paddle vigorously
and the canoe glided away. But he
looked back. longingly. for Simplicia's
| lips were very soft and warm.
She stood gazing after him till the
canoe vanished into the shadow of the
Quartet Infanteria. The unseen bugle
softly walled TAPS" the call that bids
the soldier to rest. 1t is also sounded
over graves.
The sun beat down fercely on the
Pasig. Canoes toiled up and SKINNED
down the river. LAUNDERING cascos,
their crews naked to their waists, were
poled painfully along. The Quiapo
market was astir with q babble OF
tongues. the barking of dogs. and the
incessant challenge of\ hundreds OF
game-cocks. The little brown people
bought. sold and bargained with the
full strength OF their lungs.
Simplicia, - purser Of the casco,
was In the market purchasing provi-
sions, but she spent most Of her time
near the stall Of Z Chinese vender OF
fabrics. After much haggiing she be-
came the possessor Of . dainty bodice
Of silk and pima cloth.
Most Of the girls who visited the
market-place seemed to be drawn to |
that spot. for there Simplicia met q |
friend who had left the lake countr-
Z little later than herself.
Ramon win come down the river |
tonight" said the friend. breathlessly. |
delighted to carry message Of that |
sort. HE has written something that
he thinks they may print in La Liber-
tad Isn't that wonderful? You must
feel 20 proud Of him. For . man to
b able to write ct al Is wonderful
but for the papers!"
Apparently there were mo words in
the Tagalo dialect strong enough to
express the girls admiration. Sim
plicia tossed her head. loosening the
hair. = frequent happening. She
caught the heavy tresses quickly, and
almost forgot for IN instant everything
but the last time they had fallen.
Are you not pleased?" asked the
other girl, In astonishment. She was
dark. and not pretty from any point OF
view.
-0h. yes." drawled simplicia, but
Ramon = very tedious sometimes, and
the lake country u very dreary. We
VIII 50 into the city this afternoon and
- the AmericanosI"
They NV many Americanos- state
volunteers clad IN blue shirts and
khaki trousers. The city was full or
them. They occupied Ill the barracks
formerly the quarters Of the Spanish
soldiers, and they crowded the drink
Along the Gale Real they
ZANE upon companies drilling, and on .
The Lunetta they saw m entire regi-
ment on dreos-parade.
Sfmpltcia, though sne scanned every !
Doldiers lace, did mot see the stranger
II the previous night, nor did she see
lace that seemed nearly q hand ,
Iome.
They say" unused the other girl,
that the men Of Aguinaldo will drive ,
heee Americanos out OF Manila Il
hey do not 90 Of their own accord :
oon.
Slmplicia laughed scornfully and
'ointed toward the troops. The men 4
Fere In battalion front, standing 1t !
present" and the sun glistened on
90 bayonets. :,
bat there are only : few Amsri- !
amos and there are many thousands
Filipinoa. said the girl. /.
The Amsricanos win take what they 4
ant and nothing can stop Them" an 9
onnced Stmplicia, decisively. Let M d
. to our caecoo."
The twilight gathered on the river. Il
the north the sly Wa lit by con- K
nucus 1nshes ct lightning. Myriads Il
stars were Overhead, and the south v
= c1oos w1s yiceroy Of the heavens.
= the mdon had not yet come into y
e kingdom. The water noisily =
ngied BY and simplIcia waited. v
Inch would come nrst, the tedious n
lipeao schoolnaster lover or the r.
zangsr! Would the Americana come q
Inin!
$40 Vnfchod awarx ~~n -.