Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1908-07-14
Tbe Resuf of Gaze ofSchool Lope.
(Orisinal.l

nef real name, for she was named Ill honor of one of the western states and the parties to this story might be iden- tfded. Nor was Noble the name of the ensign, nor are any of the names here given real names. But that has noth ing to do with the story. Noble was in a fix, the most usual fix in the world for sailor-he had too many girls. He had only two, but it is question if 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 been launched.
 Lucy Archibalds right and title, so far as priority goes, were 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 case of puppy 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 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 well as in name and wouldn't go back on even schoolboy's pledge. This was all very well till he met Camella Tryne 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 confidant of his friend. telling him about his superfuity of girl. Mansfield told him to take ill lis 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 2 complete set of silver tableware. and as soon as the vessel slid out into dee? water and the shouting and the firing were over ted sl:cats went below to partakc of |, luncheon at which this service was used. Now, the captain had commissioned Mansfield to have lookouts at the gaagways and other wise take precautions that no thieves come aboard with the guests to get away wif!l valuallcs. Mansfield took such steps to protect property as he deemed effectual.
 A salute of champagne corkS follow ed the guns fired on shore. and tn" guests fell to in disposing of the dain ties prepared for them, after which they passed ED 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" floated plainer than ever from his masthead. The girl insisted on talk ing him back and forth past the admi ral's party, where Miss Tryne saw them, wondered and wrapped herself in mantle of cool dignity. ! It was about this time that some thing happened There were aboard q number of maidservants. dressed in the conven ;ional livery of black dresses and white ruif'ed aprons, whose osten sible duties were to serve the ladies, Suddenly Noble saw his friend Mans field come up the companiOnway With one of these maids and point to his Companion. Iucy Archibald. The maid ladyanced and said to Lucy in a low voice:
 aA"I have to trouble you for the spoon"
 "What spoon:"
 x "The one you took from the officers mess
 "Oh," said Lucy, coloring q wanted it for a souvenir"
 $ People were looking when she opened a vanity bag hanging from her wrist and, taking out silver spoon marked stsU. S. s. Prairie" surrendered it to the maid
 s Now, there was a part of this story That Lieutenant Mansfield did not, at A&CdSI dL tiIC lIiuC tCil 4LhoiSh A>oOiN- 5Knowing of the mania among ladies .even of apparent responsibility to take Articles for souvenirs, he had engaged eeveral women detectives, dressing sthem in maids uniforms to watch. Aft er the luncheon they interviewed pri- Iyately the ladies they had caught pill |&ering and recovered q couple of dozen Npoons and other small articles be- longing to the ships new service. Mansfield in order to extricate his Friend from his double girl dilemma had made public example of Miss Archibald. leaving Noble to consider 1her thief The other cases Noble was not informed of.
 Even had Noble really loved the girl at is doubtful if he would have remain Sed engaged to her after this episode. sAt any rate. next morning Miss .Archi- bald received note from him break |lng the engagement. and his captain. cOached by Mansfield. ordered him