Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1884-06-20
A FAVORITE OF FORTUNE.

Jason Hail, quaint, old castellated
structure, of the time of Queen Elizabeth,
situated upon the coast of Essex, and
overlooking the English Channel, was
the seat Of Admiral Strout, a rough, ro-
bust old British sailor, who fourished
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
as post-captain when it was the flagship
of Englands 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.
AdmiTals 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-rccord 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 adj
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 adj
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, beautiful girl, who the proud
father was wont to declare was the hand
soonest, and the best, and the most intel
ligent girl in the kingdom
She, rather late in life--her father
having kept the general run of lovers at
a 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 EmeIine.
At the time of the opening of our story
Sir Thomas's daughter had been cad
several years, and the Lady Emeline had
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 named George Aging. He had
come first to Jason hall, having been sent
with a 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 Emeline 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-
ately in love with Lady Emeline: and at
length he told her of it; and he told her
so heartily, and so ardently, 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 trembIed. 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 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
sor 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 second
mistake And then the wrathful torrent
bust forth.
What A lieutenant! son of a London
merchant. mere nobody a STRIPPING,
who had never smelt powder who never
had even seen fleet put In line-of
battlel 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 ont.