The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1908-05-09
Generals Dilemma
NORTHUMBERLAND Vl5I1lN11D


''The audacity Of young men nova
days." declared Gen. MOrrant, as he
glared at his wife over the breakfast
table, sis appalling-truly appalling ~
The old lady coughed and glanced
stealthily at her daughter. when l
was a captain" resumed the general,
reaching for the sugar tongs, Il daren't
have sneezed in the presence of field
officer; but w-now"-letting fall a
Jump Of sugar-"they have the temerity
to buttonhole a general in the conserv-
atory, and demand-Jes, actually de-
mand-his daughter"
Surely he wasn't rude, DEAR" in
terrupted his wife, soothingly.
The young lady buried her face in
the teacup.
''Rude!" roared the general. "And
do you not think it worse than rude
of cOmpany-a man without the ghost
of a war medal-a mana man like
Capt. Mayne-to-to ask for a generals
.daughter?"
some day." lisped the young lady,
archly.
"He comes of a good family" said
the old lady, smiling. Il have known
his mother since she was girl"
"But it isn't his mother who wants
my daughter" affirmed her husband,
angrily, Its himself!'
Naturally" said the old lady, COM
placently.
"And you approve" cried he,
amazingly.
Naturally" said the old lady again.
The young lady cast grateful glance
at her mother
"You women" exclaimed the general,
with indignation, as he caught his
daughters glance, "all work together
you are in a league. 1 have no one to
support me, but-but 1 shall be mas
ter in my own house, SHALL
"Post, SIR said a servant, entering.
The first letter that caught the gen.
erals eye was large official envelope
marked CONFIDENTIAL" He Immediate
ly opened it, and. after reading it, care
fully returned it to it's envelope, and
as he did SO a smile Of satisfaction
crossed his expansive face.
He was so cheerful for the remain
der of the time he sat at breakfast that
both mother and daughter threw fur
tive glances alternately at the suspi-
cious-looking envelope.
capt Mayne," said he, tersely, as he
rose from the table, "is, after all, a
very good soldier, keen diplomat, and
an able tactician. shall have pleasure
in recommending him for good post
one which he is eminently qualified to
FILL"
Il think he would be very suitable
for the post Of son-in-law," said Lady
Morrant, laughingly.
"Son-in-law be hanged!" roared her
husband, stumping out Of the room.
I've got better post for him than
that"
what can he mean?" asked the
young lady, in alarm.
Really, Edith. l cannot imagine. nor
do l see what reasonable objection he
can have TOTO"
Poor Fred" sobbed the young lady,
ITO Fred. But don't cry, Edith. dear.
l snail bring him round YETI said her
mother. hopefully. kissing her daugh.
tiers tear-stained cheek.
Hell send him away to some-some
horrid, wild place." moaned Edith. fear.
Iuiiy. Away abroad, where he'll-he'l]
Ole with mal-malaria, or be killed by
sav-savages"
Hush, dear" said her mother
stroking her daughters beautiful hair
your father wouldn't do anything nm
KIND lie doesn't like parting with yor
without a struggle, but he'll succumf
20 the Inevitable in the end Leave him
10 me, dear. l have managed him 70,
good many years"
oa' hav~ your cried the general