The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-08-20
A CASE OF SCHOOL LOVE.

and the parties 10 this story might be
identified. Nor was Noble the name
of the ensign, nor are any of the
names here given real names But
that has nothing to do with the story.
Noble was in fix, the most usual
fix in the world for a sailor-he had
too many girls. He had only two,
but II is a question If dozen might
not be more readily managed than
two. If the two had been in differ
ent ports the problem might have
been simpler, but they we're not They
were--that is, for the present--in the
same port, and that was where the
Prairie had just been launched.
Lucy Archibald's right and title, so
far as priority goes, were indisput-
able. She and Noble had been class
mates at the high school where Noble
had prepared for the naval academy
and had become involved in case
of puppy love. Every one wondered
how Noble could fancy her, for she
was triHe 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
II herself. In other words. given
boy Of sixteen and 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 schoolboy's pledge.
This was all very well till he met
Camelia Tryne, a daughter of an ad-
miral and very lovely girl, to whom
the young sailor became speedily at
tached.
friend, telling him about his super
fluffy of girl. Mansfield told him to
take in his distress signal. apparent
on his countenance. and try TO find
some way out of the dilemma.
The state for which the Prairie
was named had presented the ship
with a complete set of silver table
ware, and as soon as the vessel slid
out into deep water and the shouting
aud the firing we're over invited guests
went below to partake of a luncheon
ut which this service was used Now,
the captain had commissioned Mans
field to have lOokCuts at the gang
ways and otherwise take precautions
that no thieves come abroad with the
guests to get away with valuables.
Mansfield took such steps to protect
property as he deemed elfectual.
A salute of champagne corks fol-
lowed the guns fired on shore. and
the guests fell to in disposing Of the
dainties prepared for them, after
which they passed up the companion
way to the deck, where they strolled
about or stood chatting in groups
Lucy Archibald had captured Ensign
Noble, who was promenading with
her, and instead of looking happy
the "union down" foated palmer than
ever from his masthead The girl in
sisted on taking him back and forth
past the admiral's party, where Miss
Tryne saw them. wondered and wrap
ped herself in a mantle Of cool dig
| nifty.
II was about this time that some
thing happened. There were aboard
number of maidservants, dressed in
the conventional livery of black dress,
| es and white rufiled aprons, whose
ostensible duties were TO serve the
ladies. Suddenly Noble saw his
friend Mansfield come up tho com.
panionway with one Of these maids
and point to his companion. Lucy
Archibald, The maid advanced ant
said to Lucy in a low voice:
Il have to trouble you for the
spoon"
What spoon?
THE one you took from the Off
GERS mess"
"Oh," said Lucy, coloring, Il want
| ed 1t for a souvenir"
People were looking when she open
ed vanity bag hanging from hel
wrist and taking out silver spoon
marked ~. S. S. Prairie" surrend
cred It to the maid.
Now, there was part of this story
! that Lieutenant Mansfield did not, al
least at the time. tell Ensign Noble
! Knowing of the mania among ladiei
even of apparent respectability tC
take articles for souvenirs, he haC
engaged several women detectives
dressing them in maids uniforms t
watch. After the luncheon they in
terviewed privately the ladies the!
had caught pilfefing and recovered |
couple OF dozen spoons and othel
small articles belonging to the ship
new service Mansfield in order 4
extricate his friend from his doubl,
girl dilemma had made public ex
ample of Miss Archibald. leaving
Noble TO consider her a thief
Even had Noble really loved th'
girl IL is doubtful if he would hay'
remained engaged to her after thi
episode. At any rate, next morning
Miss Archibald received note from
him breaking the engagement, AM
his captain, coached by Mansfield, or
dered him away on special duty, s.
that the souvenir girl, as she cam
TO be called, couldn't get him agail
| l. a,1an tah