no swelled slightly with a pride that was
plain--"I am not exactly a poor man, not since the _Americanos_ came to
these islands and gave us the blessings of liberty and just government.
I have many business ventures, and one of them lies in my being a
secret--no, what you _Americanos_ call a silent partner of the _Chino_
who conducts this store. Now the favor that I ask--senor, I beg you to
let me present you with this handsome little box, that you may send it
over the waters to your sweetheart."

"Make me a present of it?" demanded Sergeant Hal in amazement.

"Ah, yes, exactly so, senor; and I shall be greatly honored by your very
kind acceptance. And your friend--he shall select anything--valuable and
handsome--that he would like for his sweetheart."

Neither young sergeant had a sweetheart outside of his mother. It was
for their mothers that they sought suitable-priced curios. In their
amazement, however, neither Hal nor Noll took the trouble to correct
this smiling, polite stranger.

"Thank you," said Overton promptly. "We can't accept, of course, though
it is very kind of you to make the offer--so very kind that it almost
takes our breath away."

"And why can you not accept?" insisted the Filipino. He was still
smiling, but there was now something so insistent in his voice that Noll
answered quickly:

"Because we cannot accept gifts from strangers."

"Ah, but you do not yet know the Orient. You must have things here; you
must have money to spend, and feel the pleasure of spending it, or you
will die."

"Thank you," laughed Sergeant Hal, "but at present my health is
excellent. As for dying, that has no terror for the soldier."

"Ah, yes, to die like a soldier!" protested the Filipino, with a shrug
of his shoulders. "But would you die of sheer weariness and envy? There
are pleasures in this country which only money will buy. Without the
money, without these pleasures, life soon becomes bitter. You do not
know, but I do, for I have watched thousands of your _Americano_
soldiers here. Now, I have money--too much! It is my whim to see that
the _soldados_ enjoy themselves. I have begged many a soldier to honor
me by letting me purchase him a little pleasure. Come, I will show you
now! Wait! I will send for a carriage--not a _quilez,_ but a victoria.
Say the word, give the consent, and I will show you at once what is
called pleasure here in the East--in Manila."

Though he spoke in low tones, the Filipino made