Evening journal., 1909-01-20
A Lovers Test.

~A~NANtAfA
Half a dozen United States soldiers
were sitting I'm 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 sweethearts might
take with regard to lover who came
back to them minus an arm, leg, an
eye or any other member.
'Bnly," said Sergeant Tom Evans
to Corporal McGee, "what do you
think Jaqueline would do if you went
back to her with all your front teeth
knocked out by a Mauser bullet OF If
you'd have TO sport n wax nose?"
Don't know" replied MCGEE
thoughtfully, at the same time taking
several quick puffs on his pipe.
IF were one Of you fellows" pur-
sued Evans. who have fssls waiting
for you I'd go home dlsEsJred Just
for test"
How would you do that" asked
McGee, evidently interested in the
proposition.
"Oh, easy enough. A green patch
over an eye or a 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.
Tom, I've mind to try what you
said about mutilation on Jaqueline
when return
Good for youl You'll know then
whether she's a true, noble girl or sim
ply looking out for a fellow to give
her a home"
SO it 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. military cape
thrown over his shoulders.
Gilf lAG VIII tMutu-I4A M4Io tnN
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 lust as well without the
arm as with 1t. even more.
"Goodw exclaimed Billy enthusias-
tlcally. Il knew she was true blue.
There's no use now Of keeping this up.
I'll so 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 a
woman they will stand by one another
even TO the most nefarlous lie. But In
matters that are not serious the man
viii invariably stand by the woman.
When McGee entered the room
where Jaqueline awaited him he
found her with her handkerchief tC
her eyes, evidently weeping for hi:
misfortune. She threw her arms
about his neck and sobbed on hi,
shoulder Then. suddenly disengaging
herself, she exclaimed:
"Oh, Billy. did hurt your pool
army'
"No," replied Billy lugubriously
you know it's gone. | thought vol
wouldn't want me with nothing bu
one arm and stump to fold you in"
BILLY, how could you think that
When you went to the war, didn't
give you the ring with your coat o.
arms on the seal. and didn't you pu
it on the little finger Of your left hanC
and swear to wear It there till you
return? If you have kept your oath
that is all require Of you. Did yol
bring back the ring, Billy, dearT'
Here was a situation. Tom Evan
had foreseen that the ring must hav
been shot away with the arm. II
told his cousin that If he had it on hi
finger during his interview with hi
tiancee he would probably get into
corner. He suggested that Billy le
him wear the ring for awhile, and Bill
consented.
"The ring" said Billy in a tremulou
voice-"that was the hardest part 0
| It. IL went with the arm"
poor felloww
Billy forced out a couple Of tears.
'DO you know. Billy. dear" sal
the girl encouragingly. "that there /
q good spirit which takes care Of u
lovers"
'No." said Billy. Il never heard Of it.
''There is. And when that horri
cannon bah took or your poor arr
the good spirit caught the ring, pulle
It of the poor dead finger and brough
It to me-"
"what do you meanT' exclaimed Bi
ly, alarmed.
II mean what say. This lover
friend, flying on the wings Of the wint
crossed the gulf Of Mexico and, mo'
ing northward. one night when I wa
asleep slipped the ring on my ow
finger. There I found It when
awoke."
MCGEE started.
"Jack. you mullins, what are 20
giving me?"
1.-THE ring"
She held up her hand. and there o
the forefnger was the signet.
"Well, III be-
There was confusion worse confounC
ed in McGee's brain. For a few m,