The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1903-12-25
Miss VandeVer, Heiress.
BY WALTER REYNOLDS.

lloyd, old man, we've nothing to do
- l beg your pardon. I've nothing tc
do. Let's go for stroll along the
beach. It's glorious night-moon
stars and all that sort of thing"
Mr.. Michael MacDermott-a younger
son of an impecunious but highly re.
spectacle Irish peer, who was endeav-
oring to earn living by law practices
in New York, and l had been chuml
for several years-had been chums
from the moment we met in a plain
little restaurant where we both made
. practice of eating late suppers.
"An right, Nike" said, putting my
proofs away in desk and locking i,
securely. Il am not busy tonight"
You are always busy, lucky man.
he said. But all work and no play
you know the rest. What's this" nod
ding towards my desk, the master
piece?"
Il don't know about that" replied,
modestly.
Il entirely disagree with your argu-
ment," he said, as we went out. had
given him my proofs to read. INDIE
pendent criticism is always valuable.
1t SO often induces us to leave in what
we were half disposed to strike out.
YES" replied, this being the most
non-committal ejaculation a man can
utter when unprepared with a subtler
retort-
&C." he said, "a man who would re-
fuse to marry the woman he loved
and who loved him simply because she
happened to be an heiress would be an
unmitigated ass"
Il would do it." interrupted.
Then you would be an unmitigated
ass" he replied. placidly. Unyarnished
candor is one of Mikes most pro-
nounced characteristics. I'D like to
have the chance, that's all"
My dear Mike, l know you better
than you know yourself. A man OF
my trade must b q student OF human
nature or he's no good. You'll marry
the woman you love, though she b.
Is poor - m Irish politician"
I'm not In love with any woman"
he declared, triumphantly.
mo. Neither am /. Perhaps that
IL why we are both so positive about
what we should do in sucn . case
We strolled down to the shore.
Then, suddenly, search light shot
across the water.
Were In luck" cried Mike. Il
didn't know the naval maneuvers were
being held on here tonight. There's
going to- be q night attack"
We clambered upon the seawall-a
sort Of esplanade with the lamps and
lounges omitted-and took our stand
to watch the coming maneuvers.
Three torpedo destroyers, we learnt
from . chatty sailor, would pr emily
attempt to run the gauntlet of those
fanlike arms Of light which were now
sweeping the sea In every direction.
Presently : cry went up, Here's
one!" Then. simultaneously, . flash.
. deep roar - of thunder, from the
fort. and our sailor said-speaking. OF
course, In metaphor: she's done for
blown to smithereens. They soon
spotted her, didn't they? Humph!
Pity faint real. stead Of only make
believe"
For some minutes-Ave, ten, they
may have been 15-time gallops when
the mind IL at high tension-there was
silence. The guns. having annfhilated
the flrst Of the invaders, were dumb.
and every watcher began to wonder
4 the others were never coming. Then
the light just behind us swung sharply
shore. and. close In, rushing through
the water like . race horse. came an
other destroyer at full speed. Boom!
boom! and again boom! Is the fort, de-
tecting the third, gliding stealthily. at |
half speed, up midchannel. under
cover, - Its commander hoped. Of his |
comrade closer shore, took Z part in
this mimic battle.
But. even Is our sailor uttered avid |
yell Of warning. there was Z sudden
crash. the shouting Of men, the whistle
q escaping steam, and another search
light. farther along the beach, played
"a the second destroyer fast aground
n the grip Of . ledge.
There's pretty kettle Of hsh," ex-
:laimed AacDermott. Then. ever prac-
dcal. he made . trumpet Of his hands
md beloved. DO you want any
lelpY"
Send Tor -coastguard." came the
shout and keep