Golden Valley chronicle. (Beach, Billings County, N.D.) 1905-1916, 1908-12-18
A Lovers Test.
(copyright. 1908. by American Press Asso.
eta fiOn


tcopy1'shs 1903. b s',t A%sf.ean Pres. As.o-
Half dozen United States soldiers
were sitting in circle in Cuba smok-
ing their pipes and talking Of home.
They were all young, and several Of
them had left sweethearts behind
them. The conversation turned upon
what action these sweethearts might
take with regard to q lover who came
back to them minus an arm. u leg, an
eye ur any other member.
"Billy." said Sergeant Tom Evans
t. Corporal MCGEE. what do you
think Jaqueline would do il you went
back to her With all your front teeth
knocked out by Mauser bullet or IL
you'd have to sport n wax Eose?"
Don't know" replied MCGEE
thoughtfully. ut the same time taking
several quick puffs on his pipe.
If We're one Of you fellows" pur.
sued Evans, who have girls waiting
for you I'd 60 home dishgured just
for test"
"How would you do that?" asked
IcGee, evidently interested In the
proposition.
''Oh, easy enough. A green patch
over an eye CT a leg doubled up with
the knee in wooden peg would do
the business. Beggars practice those
things every day"
Evans ard MCGEE were cousins, and
as soon as they were alone together
the latter said:
TON, I've a mind to try what you
said about mutilation on JaQueline
when return"
Coed for you! You'll know then
whether she's true. noble girl or sim
ply looking out for fellow to give
her home"
So it was arranged that when they
returned Evans should go to Miss
Thatcher ard announce. the melan-
choly news that her lover had lost his
left arm in battle and carry release
from her engagement on the part of
her f1ance. If she desired to see him
he was to go to her with his left arm
twisted In the small Of his back, an
empty sleeve and a military cape
thrown over his shoulders.
Well. the war ended-all wars end
some time-and the cousins went home
safe and sound. Evans carried the
message and came back with the vel
come information that Jaqueline would
love Billy just as we'll without the
arm as with It, even more.
"Good!' exclaimed Billy enthusiast
tically. Il knew she was true blue.
There's no use now Of keeping this up.
I'll go to her with two arms" :,
"And make her so mad she'll cast
you of. You'll have to play the one
armed soldier till after you're mar
ried or at least the invitations are out.
But since you were to be married as
soon as you reached home that won't
matter"
Now, there is this about men-in
any serious matter connected with a
woman they will stand by one another
even TO the most nefarious lie. But in
matters that are not serious the man
will invariably stand by the woman.
When MCGEE entered the room
where Jaqueline awaited him he
found her with her handkerchief to
her eyes, evidently weeping for his
misfortune. She threw her arms
about his neck and sobbed on his
shoulder. Then. suddenly disengaging
herself, she exclaimed.
"Oh, Billy. did hurt your poor
armr'
NO." replied Billy lugubriously.
You know it's gone. l thought YOU
wouldn't want me with nothing but
one arm and a stump to fold you in"
BILLY, how could you think that?
When you went to the war. didn't l
give you the ring with your coat of
arms on the seal, and didn't you put
1t on the little finger of your left hand
and swear to wear it there till your
return! II you have kept your oath.
that Is all require of you. Did you
bring back the ring, Billy, dearY"
Here was a situation. Tom Evans
had foreseen that the ring must have
been shot away with the arm. He
told his cousin that If he had It on his
finger during his interview with his
hancee he would probably get into a
corner. He suggested that Billy let
MIN wear the ring for awhile, and Billy
/ consented.
THE ring" said Billy in a tremulous
voice-"that was the hardest part Of
1t. It went with the arm"
'Poor fellow!'
Billy forced out couple of tears.
DO you know. Billy, DEAR" said
the girl encouragingly, "that there is
good spirit which takes care Of Us
lovers"