The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1903-12-05

not to the dangerous and
tiresomc hikes that would
inevitably fall to his lot there, but
his future was redundant with pos
sibilities, and ne saw no reason why
he should not carve his name deep
into the pages of history yet to be
written.
Murray was handsome and we'll
bred; so much so that the aristoc
racy of New York had found him
hard to resist, and he was never
Sighted as the invitation lists for
swell functions were being COM
piled. To be a captain in the regu-
lar establishment at 20 is some little
encouragement within itself and in
lieu of this his rank seemed incred;-
bic until the broad shoulders hove
sufficiently close to view to admit
sight of the two little silver bars in
either strap. which were symbolic of
his rank
But the war and good record was
the making of many Il man, so to
speak, in the revolution it brought
about in the lineal rank of all arms of
the service, and because Murray per-
formed a clever little exploit at San
tiago that brought him gratuitious
promotion through gallantry in ac-
ton, it was no fault of his, nor was
it just cause for the bitter envy and
righteousness from those who were
less fortunate yet mayhap more de-
serving from a lineal point of view.
Any man, and certainly any soldier,
confronted With a like opportunity
to win reward in the service of his
country, would have accepted the
chance and made the best of it, as
did the lucky one. Men who had
grown grey rs lieutcnants were now
but captains, and that a shave-tail
fresh from the academy in '97 should
rise like a rocket; from the lowest
subaltern grade seemed an injustice
intolerable and to a degree unwise.
Yes, indeed. there was much in the
future for Capt. Murray, and he
knew it.; that is he felt it. Mental
telepathy told him SO. He dotted on
his good luck and the good luck the
future held in store, perhaps bit
seltishlv, but nevertheless surely. He
paid tribute to the goddess of for
tune in an attempt to arrest the at
tention of the fair dame every time
he raised a glass to his lips.
True to the law of nature the cap
tain was not satisfied with what he
already had but craved for more.
He managed To engage himself to
pretty Dorothy Scat"n Just bsfore
leaving New York and he was ami
matr,, and vain. That was another
strrnI; of fortune worthy a rrlcbra-
ton and everybody at the army and
navy had their habit with Capt Muir
ray that day. though no toasts were
said 10 tile young and popular wo-
man. for the professor of arms was
reticrnt and reserved on this subject
out of respect for the sweetest wo-
man in town.
He simply remained silent and Of
fered no excuse for his librraity and
high spirit, much I" the chngi'n of
the curious clement
Murray had strivrn for the wealthy
hand of Miss Sraton for months;
yes, even prior to his trip south
from Da,itl's island. and his devotion
had been continual since his return
from Cnbn. But his gallantry in ac-
ton far outshone his perseverance in
affairs of the heart and it was only
due to TIL. forced attentions of a
grabbed old lieutenant colonel of en-
gincers. who had performed no other
duty than that of rhar-warming in
the capitol. that the dashing cap
tain made his successful advance and
won the day.
Then an important piece of news
given him by IL friend in congress rs
he was about to go aboard the trans
por, produced Il compound paroNysn
of hIarity. impatience and anxiety
The congressman was using his in
fuencr to have Murray sent as mill
tary attachr to Berlin and to what
higher detail could Il Young captain
aspire to than representing his cnun
try abroad? 1t was because of this
encouraging announcement that Miss
Seaton consented to hasten the wed
ding day about a year sooner thar
was antici patcd III the beginning.
The human is an inpatient, com
planning creature at times, especially
in event of good and unexpected for
tune, and to Murray the day whe1
Miss Dorothy Seaton would discard
that name for his, seemed far, fal
away. Somehow the lieutenant col
onel could not be driven from hit
imaginative state of mind and tn.
mere recollection of a silver lea.
made his blood run hot. Unit
\ Dorothy should become Mrs. Murray
the captain thought her not quit,
safe from the ardor and persistence
of engineer duty.
Murray was jealous and for moth
ing.
These perplexities of the heart sur
mounted all the whisky sour he coult
decently dispose of while en- route t,
the east and the journey through TIL
CANAL seemed Il long one. So haunte,
did he become with mental picture
OF rivals on Blended knees at the fee
of the Gucenliest girl in Gotham tina
there was no peace of mind, ant
three letters lull of love and advic
relative to the management of un
welcome Suitors were mailed to hi
betrothed before leaving Malta
These were followed by another O
bulky proportions and of the sam
tenor Of text at Alden. and still an
other at Colombo