The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-10-27
Seleft Sturw.
THE MASQUERADE.
The COmmodOre's Pr0posal--Mid-
shipman Harry'S Triumph.
BY FRANCES G sPARHAwK.

Midshipman Harry Mortimer stood in
brown. study, although it was a very
dark brown, if not a black look that
crossed his face as be watched the re
treating figure OF his commodore. II
was portly, elderly figure, military
rather than dignlied, and the face tha,
had been looking down upon Harry's
bright countenance had been anything
but pleasing one at the moment, while
the voice that had administered a rebuke
which, if deserved at ell. was much too
sharp, had been harsh. The young mid
dy WIS Of so sunny nature and so iul
of life and hope, that If this sort Of thing
had happened only once or twice, b,
would have forgotten it. But his spirit
was reused by finding himself he'daily
butt of the commodore's i'll humor And
go that afternoon, years ago, as the flag
hip Eagle lay in port awaiting orders
while its commander with bis head pos.
sibly little unsteady from the gaye,ie'
and potations OF the night before, walk
ed off with r, FIJI ii brow and betook him
self to the shore again, the MILDLY look
ed after him in anger. But in another
instant the young man laughed and said
in an undertone 10 his companion, "Yo
see. Ned, Annette doesn't appreciate bi,
bandy-legs."
"Hey2" questioned the o.her eagerly
Harry drew back little as il he ha(
admitted more than he intended; then
having warned his friend to he discreet
he himself proceeded to practice the op
posite quality, "Annette, Miss Stanton
you know" he said-"Well, perhaps
you've guessed 60 there good deal
The commodore goes, too, occasionally
You know ,hcse old fellows when the,
get to be widowers are mighty sseet oI
Young ladies; they have an eve for beau
ty. can tell you. The fact is," he wen
on, s.the commodore and l have me
there once in while. Annette hirts with
him little; that's to please Der father
che says. but she is very good to me, ,ant
she did cay once, Ned, that this was t
please herself, though the next day sh,
pretended she had forgotten it. Annette
10 very charming"
And Harry forgot his wrath in the de
scription of Miss S'anton's destinations
But it returned when his account of th,
places at which he had met her brough
The recollection that the next week ther,
was 10 be q fancy ball at one OF the bes
houses in The city, and that it was very
probable that be would be detailed fol
some service by the commodore and no
allo wed 10 go. For, in social position
young Mortimer equaled bis comman
der, but he had the disadvantage Of pov
erty, add the wealth and naval rank O
his rival counted with Annette's family
He had one soation, however, 10 re-
gard to The ball; Annette had promised
not to 60 If be could not, and he now re-
lieved his mind BY an epistle to her
They we're both little more than chill
dren, and their certainty of undying in
terest in each other was an amusement
to the family, while her parents wer,
alive to the dangers of an engagement
which, they insisted, could lead to moth
ing but disappointment.
Soon after Harry's letter was sen,
there came an assurance from the young
lady that somehow she felt that she wsi
going to have one Of her headaches tb,
night of the ball. Harry wore the not'
over bis heart, and found it excellent de
Tense against the commanders sarcasms
One shot, though sped straight through
it into the powder magazine OF his prid'
and produced an explosion there which
did not leave the 6rer OF the shot scath
less II was when the commodore de
puted some officers to escort certain
distinguished guests who where to visi
the ship. Harry's fluent French hat
made him valuable on many such occa
sions, But on that day the com mmodcre
after looking at him as il deiberatine
detailed him for other duty with the re
mark that he scarcely thought girl fac