Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1908-12-24
ALoyer's Test.


what action these sweethearts might
take with regard TO d lover who came
back TO them minus an arm, a Ieg, an
eye " any other member.
"Billy.H said Sergeant Tom Evans
% Corporal MCGEE, what do you
think JaquelIne would DO II you went
back TO her with all your front teeth
knocked out by a Mauser bullet or n
you'd have to sport q wax noseT'
Don't know" replied McGec
thoughtfuliy a. the same time taking
several quick pufrs on bis pipe.
III ] were one Of you fellows" puF-
sued Evans, ''who have girls waiting
for you I'd so home disfigured Just
for a test"
How would you do thatT' 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
a. soon as they were alone together
the latter said.
"Tom, I've mind TO try what you
said about mutlIation on Jaaueline
when ] return"
"Good for you'll You'll know then
whether she's a true. noble girl or sim.
ply looking out for a fellow to give
her q home"
30 II was arranged that when they
returned Evans should 60 70 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 hance. II she desired to see him
be 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 wei.
come information that Jaqueline would
love Billy just as we'll without the
arm as with II. even more.
"GoodP exclaimed Billy enthusiast
tically. Il knew she was true blue.
There's no use now Of keeping this up.
III go to her with two arms"
aAnd make her 80 mad she'll cast
ycu on You1l have to play the one
armed soldier TIN after you're mar.
ried or at least the invitations are out.
But since you were to be married as
soon 40 you reached home that won't
matter"
Now. there Is this about men--in
any serious matter connected with a
woman they win stand BY one another
even to the most nefarious sle. But IN
matters that are not serious the man
win invariably stand BY the woman.
When Niece entered the room
where Jaqueline awaited him he
found her with her handkerchief TO
her eyes, evidently weeping for his
She threw her arms
about his neck and sobbed on his
shoulder. Then, suddenly disengaging
herself, she exclaimed.
"oh, Billy. did ! hurt your poor
lrmr'
"No." replied Billy ngubriously.
'fou know it's gone. l thought You
wouldn't want me with nothing but
Dne arm and a stump to fold Won In
Billy, how could you think thatY |
When You went to the war. didn't /
five you the ring with your coat Of |
arms on the seal, and didn't you nut
: on the little finger OF your left hand
and swear to wear II there TN your
'eturnf II you have kept your oath.
hat Is all ] require Of you. Did Won
bring back the ring. Billy. dearP'
Here was a situation. Tom Evans
lad foreseen that the ring must have
been shot away with the arm. he
old his cousin that II he had It on his
ingeF during his interview with his
iancee be would probably get into
'orner. lie suggested that Bully LEI
Inn wear the ring for awhile, ana Bfny
consented.
The ring" said Billy In a tremulous
'oice-"that was the hardest part or
/ Il went with the arm
''Po0r fellowr'
Billy forced out a couple or tears
do you know. Rnly, dear" said
he girl encouragingly, shat there Is
good spirit which takes care Of Us
OgePa."
aNo." said Bully. II never heard OF H."
There Is, And when that horrid
annon bah took on your poor arm
be good spirit caught the ring, pulled
on the poor dead hnger and brought
! 10 me"
"what do you meanP' exclaimed IN
I, alarmed.
Il mean what I say. This lovers
fiena, Tying on the wings Of the wind.
rossed the gulf OF Mexico and. NOV.
q northward. one night when l was
sleep slipped the ring On my own
nser There ! found II when I
woke"
MCGEE started.
-Jaek, you mufans. what ara you
wing mel"
The ring
she hald up her hand. and there on
y foreanger was the algnee