Saint Mary's beacon., 1900-05-31
TRIPLE GOVERNS FATE,

peake one beautifu! morning in May
was one Of our large ocean steam
ships. The warm slanting rags of
the sun flashed on the spotless decks
and polished metals of the steamer.
and rested on the broad white sails
Of the sailing vessels and the smooth
CLASSY waters Of the bay. Along
the stretch Of Low shores we're large
fields Of green grass, orchards Of
budding fruit trees, aad few seat.
tered houses, while in the distance
rose o series Of low hills.
The day was most propitious all
nature seemed in her element, and
the passengers we're all on the decks
to enjoy the beautiful scene, some
were to be seen standing by the
railings that surrounded the vessel,
while others we're eenscounced In their
steamer chairs or walking to and
fro beneath the outstretched avn
ings.
Among those who were standing
against the railing on the forward
deck was q tall slender man with
dark hair and eyes and beardless
face. lie was dressed in the uni
form of the United States Army
and THE epaulets on his shoulders
plainly bespoke his rank.
Captain William Leonard could
not truthfully be termed q hand
some man but that he was attract
i've in appearance was vouched for
by the numerous glances that were
bestowed on him from time to time
BY his fellow passengers. Especi-
ally was this true of the young Ia
dies aboard who had often whisper
ed to one another that the Captain
was a splendid looking man but
most too reserved. Their impress
ion Of bis manner during the days
consumed in crossing the broad
Atlantic was certainly authentic for
be had rarely held any conversation
with his companions, but spent his
time in perusing book or in pac-
ing the deck with his gaze fixed on
the ocean.
He had appeared as a man abb
stracted and his features had worn
a grave and thoughtful air. Now
however as his gaze rested on the
scene before him and he fully rea.
lized that in few short hours he
would once more be treading the
terra firma Of his own country after
q lapse of two years, his eyes
frightened and look of pleasure
settled on his face. Nor was this
the only reason he had for being
overjoyed at his return to the Uni
ted States. He remembered the
lovely woman whom he adored and
who had promised to be his wife.
Standing there with his arm rest
ing on the broad railing he seemed
oblivious Of his surroundings for q
while and his thoughts reverted to
the time when Agnes Stanley and
he had first met. He was travelling
in California ct the time, and had
put mp at the hotel where she and
her mother were stopping. There
they had become acquainted and
through dancing and long evening
strolls in the lovely grounds sur
rounding the hotel, intermingled
with an unlimited amount of con-
versation that acquaintance had
ripened into that keener and more
piquant feeling called love. Alas,
at the end of few short weeks
came the parting, Agnes and her
mother to return to their home in
Washington and Captain Leonard
to his headquarters at San Francis
CO. Nor did he fail to recall the
numerous missives that were waited
from one end Of the country to the
other, atfrequent intervals in Uncle
Sans mail pouches.
Yes, all this and more. was az
vivid in his mind as il but q few
days had elapsed. A year later he
had beea sent to New York and
ordered to Europe as q military at
tache to one Of our foreign embas-
sizes. He had found time however
before sailing from New York to
run over to the Capitol City and
spend one evening with the woman
of his affections.
They had gone for drive in the
parks, and as they wound through
the beautiful grounds illuminated
By the pale moonlight and glitter
inu efara in 4ha Ha.von.