Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-09-17
The Result of q Case

tOriginal.'

lOriginal.l
Ensign Schuyler Noble, attached to
United States battleship Prairie, was
in trouble. Prairie was not the name
Of the ship. 1t wouldn't do to give
her real name, for she was named in
homo of II of the western states and
the parties to this story might be iden-
titled. Nor was Noble the name of the
ensign, nor are any of the names here
given real m But that has moth.
ing to do with the story. Noble was
in a fix, the most usual fix in the world
for a sailor-he had too many girls.
He had only two, but it is a question
If a dozen might not be more readily
managed than two. If the two had
been in different ports the problem
might have been simpler, but they
were not. They were-that is, for the
~present-in the same port, and that
was where the Prairie had Just beer
launched.
Lucy Archibald's right and title, SO
far as priority goes, We're indisputable.
She and Noble had been classmates at
the high school where Noble had pre-
pared for the Naval academy and had
become involved in a case of p
love Every one wondered how Noble
could fancy her, for she was a trifle
loud in appearance and given to slang.
To tell the truth. he was not badly
wounded by the dart that pierced him.
for instead of Cupid having sent it
Lucy had fired it herself. In other
words, given Il boy of sixteen and a
girl of eighteen and the boy is putty in
the hands of the girl.
But Noble was noble in nature as
we'll as in name and wouldn't go back
on even a schoolbov's pledge. This was
all very we'll till he met Camella Trync,
a daughter of an admiral and a very
lovely girl. to whom the young sailor
became speedily attached.
What are you doing with Your flag
up union down. Schuyler" asked
Lieutenant Mansfield just before the
launching.
Noble made a confdant of his friend.
telling him about his superiority of
girl. Mansfield told him to take in his
distress signal, apparent on his counte-
nance, and try to find some way out
of the dilemma.
The state for which the Prairie was
named had presented the ship with n
complete set of silver tableware, and
as soon as the vessel slid out into deep
water and the shouting and the firing
were over invited guests went below to
partake of a luncheon at which this
service was used. Now, the captain
had commissioned Mansfield to have
lookouts at the gangways and other
wise take precautions that no thieves
come aboard With the guests to get
away with valuables. Mansfield took
sue steps to protect property as he
deemed effectual.
n salute of champagne corlls follow
ed the guns fired on shore. and the
guests fell to in diSposing of the dain.
ties prepared for them, after which
they passed up the companionway to
the deck, where they strolled about or
stood chatting in groups. Lucy Archi-
bald had captured Ensign Noble, who
was promenading with her. and in
stead of looking happy the union
down" f1oated palmer than ever from
his masthead. The girl insisted on talk
ing him back and forth past the admi-
rails party, where Miss Thyme saw
them, wondered and wrapped herself
in q mantle of cool dignity.
1t was about this time that some
thing happened. There were aboard a
number Of maidservants, dressed in
the conventional livery Of black dresses
and white ruff1ed aprons, whose osten-
sible duties We're to serve the ladies,
Suddenly Noble saw his friend Mans
field come up the companionway with
n Of these maids and point to his
companion. Lucy Archibald. The maid
advanced and said to Lucy in a low
voice:
II have to trouble YOU for the spoon
what spoon|
1.-THE one you took from the officers
mess"
"Oh," said Lucy, coIoring. 81 wanted
it for a souvenir"
People We're looking when she opened
a vanity bag hanging from her wrist
and. taking out a silver spoon marked
~. S. S. Prairie" surrendered 1t to the
maid.
Now. there was a part Of this story