The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1884-06-20
A FAY ORITE OF FORTUNE.

structure, OF the time OF Queen Elizabeth,
situated upon the coast of Essex, and
overlooking the English Channel, was
che seat of Admiral Strout, rough, ro-
bust old British sailor, who flourished
during the latter part of the last, and the
beginning of the present, centuries.
Originally the place had been called an
abbey. The admiral had given it its
present name in honor of the old Jason
frigate, ON board of which he had served
Us post-captain when it was the flagship
Of England's sailor-King, William w.,
then admiral, and Duke of Clarence.
In 1882, the time of which we write,
Sir Thomas, grown old and battered in
the service, had been honorably retired
upon full pay. He was never so happy
as when he could induce old shipmates
TO share his hospitality.
Admirals of the Red, the White, or
the Blue were all gladly entertained by
Sir Thomas. Post-captains were always
welcome; and even commander if his
war-record was good, might find favor
in his sight. But lower than that he did
not like to go. In fact, he was an aristo-
crat of the first water-the very safest
of the salt; and would sooner have ad-
mitted to social equality the boatswains
and the gunners of the old school than
have admitted lieutenant of the new.
The only relative which the old ad-
miral had was grand daughter whom
he came very near worshiping. He was
extreme in almost everything. His wife
had died when quite young, leaving only
one child, a beautiful girl, who the proud
father was wont to declare was the hand
ho nd lo i,,to
Ggent girl in the kingdom.
She, rather late in life--her father
having kept the general run of lovers at
distance-became the wife of an earl,
but the earl was so poor that when he
died, five years after his marriage, he did
not leave behind him the wherewith to
pay his debts; the result being that Lady
Irene, the admiral's daughter, came home
to her father, bringing with Der an infant
daughter-the little Lady Emeline.
AT the time of the opening of our story
Sir Thomas daughter had been cad
several years, and the Lady Emeline ha /
grown to beautiful maiden of nineteen,
with character that lacked nothing to
make it lovely and lovable. And she had
a lover-a young lieutenant of the royal
navy-namcd George Aging. He had
come first to Jason hall, having been sent
with message to the old admiral by the
board of admiralty. On that occasion
he had to remain all night, and Sir
Thomas had detailed Lady Emcline to
entertain him. He was brave, loyal,
true hearted man; twenty-six years of
age; tall and strong and handsome-so
handsome and genial and so pure minded
that his beautiful young hostess fell in
love with him during that first visit.
He was attached to the naval depart
ment at Whitehall, being on the staff of
one of the lords commissioners. His
father was only merchant. but one of
the most wealthy in London. In fact,
few men had more influence at court
than had the elder Aging, he having
been life long friend and devoted
helper of the present king; and he never
Obtruded himself. The only favor he
had ever asked had been in behalf of his
son.
Lieutenant Aging had fallen desper-
ltely in love with Lady Emeline; and at
length he told her of IL; and he told her
10 heartily, and so ardentlv, and so
lovingly, that she could not keep back
her own confession, but said "Oh.
George. my love! my heart is all your
own now"
But when he talked of speaking with
her grandfather she trcmbed. She knew
the old admiral's whims and inconsist-
encies, and she feared he would oppose
their union.
"Fortune favors the brave" said
George, laughingly ''Faint heart never
won fair lady. | shall beard the tiger
in his den. Surely he cannot eat me-"
And, on a certain afternoon, when the
lieutenant had brought down a packet
from the naval office, and had seen and
spoken with his darling approached the
old admiral in his sanctum sanctorum,
and tod of his love for the beautiful
Emeline, and boldly asked the veteran
for her hand.
What shock was that for the British
admiral At first he could not credit the
evidence of his senses. 1t could not be
possible that he had heard Alright. And
the ardent lover stated his case n second
time-stated it so that there could be no
mistake. And then the wrathful torrent
bust forth.
What! A lieutenant! son of London
merchant! mere nobody! STRIPPING,
who had never smelt powder who never
had even seen fleet put in line-of
battle. marry with his granddaughter
the daughter of an earl! And so he went
on to the close; and the close was this:
"Get out of my house, sir Get out,
sir! And don't you dare to speak with
the Lady Emeline again! You! You.
You. marry with the granddaughter and
heiress of Admiral Sir Thomas Strout
BY heaven, if she should do such a
thing as listen to your tale of love, |
would-would-I don't know what |
should do; but, if she should marry with
you, I'd cast her off on the instant Now,
go! think you have your answerm
The gentlemanly lieutenant was thun-
derstruck - utterly astounded. He
gazed upon the foaming old tiger as be
might have gazed upon a South Sea
Islander gone mad.
"Well, sir, d'you hear me2 Why