The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-03-11
A Lovers Test.

uall d uOZen united States SOlulerS
were sitting in a 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 sweethcarts might
take with regard to Il lover who came
back to them minus an arm. leg. All
eye OF any other member.
| Billy" said Sergeant Tom Evans
tc Corporal MCGEE, what do you
think .Jaqucline would do if you went
back to her with all your front teeth
knocked out by Mauser bullet or II
you'd have to sport wax nose?"
Don't know" replied McGec
thoughtfully, at 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 go home distgured just
| for Il test"
'Iow would you do that?" asked
| MCGEE, evidently interested in the
proposition.
"Oh, easy enough. A green patch
over an ey" or leg doubled up with
the knee in Il 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:
Tom, I've a mind to try what you
said about mutilation on Jaqueline
when | return
Good for you! You'll know then
whether she's true, noble girl or SIM
ply looking out for fellow to give
her q home"
/ So it was arranged that when they
returned Evans should so to Miss
Thatcher and 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 fiance. II she desired to So 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 endcd--all wars end
some time-and the cousins went home
safe and sound. Evans carried the
message and came back with the well
come informal ton that Jaqueline would
love Billy just as we'll without the
arm as with it, even more
Good" exclaimed Billy enthusiasts
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 off. 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 Il
!: 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 McGec entered the room
where JaGueline 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 dsengaging
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 stump to fold you in"
Chilly, how could you think that?
When you went to the war. didn't
, give you the ring with your coat Of
, arms on the seal, and didn't YOU nut
; 1t on the little finger of your left hand
. and swear to wear 1t there till your
return? If 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 if he had it on his
finger during his interview with his
+ fiancee he would probably get into a
. corner. He suggested that Billy let
him wear the ring for awhile, and Billy
consented.
''The ring" said Billy in tremulous
voice-"that was the hardest part of
t. 1t went with the arm
. Poor felow!"
Billy forced out couple Of tears
do you know, Billy, DEAR" said
the girl encouragingly, that there is
a good spirit which takes care Of us
lovers"
, mo-" 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
. it off the poor dead finger and brought
, It to me-"
What do you mean?" 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 l was
! asleep slipped the ring on my own
finger. There l found it when
awoke.''
MCGEE started
, Jack. you mullins, what are you
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