Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1896-02-23

*
~ poip," she read ,>"I haze not felt so tut
tered since my first action"
not always the same, but most often they
made her feel unaccountably irritable and
inclined to be short with every one. In the
light hearted tone Of his writing she found
something peculiarly disappointing, al
though 1t was hard to say why.
AT the time Curtis exploit was I'M
matched Tho town therefore treated him
an an agreeable phenomenon that was new
! TO 1t. The great victory having suddenly
brought the navy into fashion again, thoy
chose to find his offhand manner the per-
lection OK good breeding and his humor ir-
resistiblo, and Curtis was no man to quar-
rel with their mood
! 1t was cloar from his rafting letters to
his aunts that he was bent ON enjoying
himself 10 the full, as any wise man would,
recognizing an opportunity that is not TO
be expected many times In u lifo and for
Lucille they grew more and more unondur-
abba
The days tho letters were on the break
fast table the aunts used to receive hcr
with smilo and say, Another letter
from Richard, my dear, and the nroh ex-
preston they gave to their morning kiss
came near TO driving her into violence.
Once or twice Curtis had said some
thing Of his hopes OF getting fresh ship,
and hers were no less ardent than his. Ev-
cry letter that came she prayed might con-
tain news Of his being sont to sea
But week after week went by, and still
he was kept dangling in London, amusing
himself TO his heart content and sending
home rollioking accounts OF how ho was
being spoiled. or the business that dotain-
ed him ho said almost nothing except that
il was secret. Indeed he himself knew lit
tie more than that tho war department
WAS taking very lively interest In the
coast OF Brittany, and 40 long as it kept
him in town no did not care to know what
tho reason was. So he did not concern
bimself too deeply In the matter until one
day he was very disagroeAbly surprised, on
being ushered into the cabinet of GER
tain energetic secretary OF state, to hnd
himself confronted with the American.
Colonel pocooke soized his hand very
warmly and began overwhelming him
with thanks for his good offices in recon-.
monding him to the war department, all
of which still further surprised tho sailor,
for though he had certainly mentioned the
, American In narrntng his late experiences
, he had never ventured to suggest his ON
, ploymcnt still he was sharp enough TO
i SEQ 1t was intended that the American
j should consider himself under the obliga-
ton, and the minister relieved him from
, the necessity Of saying anything ut the
, time.
1--WE are all much indebted to you, Cap
tain Curtis" he observed breaking Into
the midst OF tho colonels gratitude with
the smiling suayity that made business
with hin, real pleasure, 81 In particular
q have to thank you for Colonel Pocockc."
"Nay, SIR" sold Curtis; III It's a mat
ter Of thanking you must thank Colonel
Pocooke for me-"
well, WE'LL" laughed tho ministers
"well put 1t each helped tho other out OF
: the wood, and shouldn't be surprised II
YOU had the chance OF doing il again DO
fore any Of us arc grayer
. Curtis astonishmont was patent but
u for the time he had to rest content with
. what be had got. 1t was beyond him to
: guess the work in store for him.
: AS for the American, he said not hword
The prospect OF further connection with
Il the American was not entirely 10 Curtis
: mind, but Hfe wns too brightly rose color
ed for anything to look gray. Ana INT
- last flash Of radiance came when nm oruel
, arrived for him TO repair to Chatham ant
MOIST MS VI wv ~ 49, ''fr
!, Seduisante.
. 10 Chatham then with all speed he no
:. paired, to find tho smartest new built crai
a mans eyes could wish TO sparkle at
70 And at Chatham he remained, The bril-
: was being rapidly brought forward for sea
!, and Curtis was too thoroughly the seaman
u TO leave tho final touches OF his ship TO an
= other whom he had tho chance Of suporin
y tending them himself. Every day, from
!, tho first tap OF the hammer to the last, h
:, WAS on board in whir Of work, and ever.
d day no liked tho look OF his command bot
x ter.
d There was nothing he would nave
4 changed but tho name He did not IKE
10 the word. and would much rather MOI
,. have had O vessel named after frenoi
prlze. But no would not permit himself
, regret and every night when he laid dowI
:, his head wearied out with his toll he toi'
4 himself that with ship like his IL wa
80 impossible for girl to keep In man
" boad La sedulsante was wife enough 10
:, tho best.
u La Scduisante, In Seduisnnte-the nam
9 was annoying Tho dockyard hands Gale.
:, her "said we shan't, and seemed TO thihi
II the word was connected with refusal
surrender.