The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-12-14
A Lovers Test.

Half a 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 a lover who came
back to them minus an arm, leg, an
eye or any other member.
Billy" said Sergeant Tom Evans
to 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 II
you'd have to sport a wax nose?"
Don't know" replied MCGEE
thoughtfully, at the same time taking
several quick puffs on his pipe.
"If l were one of you fellows" pur,
sued Evans, "who have girls waiting
for you I'd go home dls6gured just
for test"
"How would you do that7" asked
MCGEE, evidently interested in the
proposition.
"Oh, easy enough. A green patch
over an eye or leg doubled up with
the knee in a wooden peg would do
the business Beggars practice those
things every day"
Evans and McGee were cousins. and
as soon as they were alone together
the latter said:
TON, I've n mind to try what you
said about mutilation on Jaqueline
when return"
Good for youl You'll know then
whether she's q true, noble girl or sim.
ply looking out for fellow to give
her n home"
So II was arranged that when they
returned Evans should go to Miss
Thatcher and announce the melan.
choly news that her lover had lost his
left arm IN battle and carry a release
from her engagement ON the part OF
her fiance. 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 well
come information that Jaqueline would
love Billy Just as well without the
arm as with II. even more.
"Goodw exclaimed Billy enthusIas.
tically. 81 knew she was true blue.
There's no use now of keeping this up.
I'll 30 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 rs
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 MeGee entered the room
where Jaquellne 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 disengaglng
herself, she exclaimed:
"oh, Billy, did hurt your poor
arm?"
"No," replied Billy lugubriously.
You know it's gone. thought you
wouldn't want me with nothing but
one arm and n 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
It on the little finger of your left hand
aud swear TO wear 1t there till your
return? II you have kept your oath.
that is all ! require of you Did you
bring back the ring, Billy, dear?"
Here was situation. Tom Evans
had foreseen that the ring must have
been shot away with the arm. He
told his cousin that II he had 1t on his
finger during his interview with his
fiancee he would probably get into a
corner. He suggested that Billy lei
him wear the ring for awhile, and Billy
consented.
"The ring" said Billy in a tremulous
vOice-"that was the hardest part OF
1t. 1t went with the arm"
Poor fellowr'
Billy forced out a couple of tears.
"Do you know, Billy, dear" said
the girl encouragingly, that there is
good spirit which takes care of Us
lovers"
NO" said Billy, II never heard Of It.
"There is. And when that horrid
cannon ball took off your poor arm
the good spirit caught the ring, pulled
1t off the poor dead finger and brought
IL to me-"
"What do you meanT exclaimed Bill
ly, alarmed.
II mean what say. This lovers
friend, dying on the wings of the wind
crossed the gulf Of Mexico and, NOV
ing northward, one night when was
asleep slipped the ring on my own
finger. There l found 1t when
awoke."
McGee started.
Jack, you mullins, what are you
giving meT
"The ring"
She held up her hand, and there Oh