The Van Buren press., 1877-05-29

| Captains countenance, usually SO calm
and friendly, was now like thunder
cloud
Lieutenant" Captain Powers said
sternly, have you ever he'd reason to
complain of me, either as a superior OF
as fellow man p
Never, Captain; quite the contrary
the young man replied, much surprised
at this question.
i" Have !, in any way, forfeited all
claims to the respect Of my subordi.
mates ~
"Sir." returned Edgar, with increased
establishment. =" i know not why you put
such questions to me, even in joke
"Answer me-" resumed the Captain
sternly yes or no ?"
mo, of course, Captain Powers"
"Well, then, sir, have you been drunk
to day Z" m .o5
"You know very well. sir. that that IL
not one Of my vices" Washburn replied
with some haughtiness.
Then why do you insult me, sir? 2 fu,
riously roared the Captain.
: | do not understand you
Look at this; do you recognize itT
The Captain held out his portrait. Ed
gar, who had supposed it destroyed long
ago, quickly recognized it as his own
For moment he stood dumbfounded
then he said. with trembling lips:
Captain, one evening, about a year
ago, some of my comrades babe me draw
the portraits of all the officers of the
squadron, beginning with my own. Fool
ishly, consented That yours, parlicu
larry. was suggested by no i'll feeling OF
despieable motive, Igive you my word OF
honor. | acknowledge that the joke was
bad one, and l deserve censure. Blu,
he who stole. preserved, put my ma me to
the sketch, and addressed it to you, il
guilty Of gross villainy. Punish me for
the part have taken in the matter, bu,
let me deal with the rascal who turned O
silly frolic into an insult
Eth, my dear SIR angrily roared the
Captain no one is to blame but your
seli This masterpiece of art would
never have fallen into my hands, had you
not drawn it. And loved you as son
-
Captain, forgive me assure you----
Enough replied the old man, with
authority " GU will not leave the ship
until further orders. You are under ar
rest.
CHATTER III PROMOTION
This punishment, his first. was hard
blow to Edgar He saw his chances foi
leave and promotion gone, the esteem In
which his superiors held him lessened
and his character blenished. Yet, wha,
grleved him most was injuring the feel
ings Of a true friend
After two weeks he was relieved from
arrest He went at once to see the cap
tain, who received him politely, even
kindly; hut Edgar could not dcceiv'
can do for you Capt. Powers said, i;
to keep the cause of your punishment {
secret. as have done so far.
Edgar felt the loss 50 deeply that h,
cared for nothing more. He went nc
longer ashore, Stunned his companions
and even when forced to mlngle with
them, he-formerly the soul of all com
pany-was so dull and absent minded
that no one knew what to make of him
Through a sailor attached TO her iather
household Blanche was regularly inior
med of the Lieutenants movements i
may be easily imagined how happy sh'
was to hear of this secusion, that favor.
cd us purposes 30 wei'' ana sue coui'
moi forhear congratulatlng. hersel upor
her diplomatic skill, Seeing that sne
had nothing to tear, she tnliiliec the ca
ties of guide in Roses excursions will
perfect willingness, and showed hersel
quite amiable at the receptions she CAV,
in her friends honor. Rose, on the 9th
er hand, grew sad SO much had she beet
about in Norfolk, during the three week.
Of her sojourn there, that she coult
vouch she had seen every one of its ma
val officers aud attaches. She felt tina
all hope for her had now gone. Will,
Blanche seemed to share fully her sor
rows. some glances Of triumph she cast
now and then, on her victim, expressed
her internal happiness. If sometime
she felt inclined to pity, she rose indig
naptly, and said to herself: pity why
should | pity? Had he any for me
Should be the one to lhro her into hi
arms? Never!'
A few DAYS later Mrs Horton was call
ed back to New York by letter announ
ring the DANGEROUS illness of dear rela