Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1910-09-10

this afternoon, she telling about the
delightful visits she made at West
Point when girl. listened, hoping
she would mention my name, but she
made no reference to me whatever.
Sept. 10.
am all broken up at the way things |
are going. Marian is evidently setting |
her cap for Merton. It's singular that |
q woman attractive enough to catch |
most any one will go for years with !
out marrying, then take a sea voyage |
and become engaged. Marian doesn't
scruple to throw those bewitching
chances at the old fool before any one
She certainly doesn't refrain from do
ing so when am about. This affair
has turned out very differently from
what 1 expected. supposed there
would be two Richmonds in the field
Cadet and Captain Morris. There is
but one-a cit" and his name is Mer
ton.
Sept. 10.
Marian has today encouraged me to
be friendly. Her incllnations are de-
cidedly with the army, and we chatted
all the morning about army people.
She said that she would like to make
me her confidant In order that she
might ask my advice as to a point of
honor as 1t would be considered among
army people. ! urged her to do so,
promising that 1 would advise her to
the best of my ability, but she said
the matter was very delicate one
and she couldn't bring herself to speak
of it except to a very intimate friend
Sept IA.
The ak has fallen, and my head has
rolled into the basket This afternoon
Marian made me her confidant and
asked my advice. She told me of her
affair with me when l was a cadet;
said that she had met no one since
that she liked so well till she met Mer-
ton. She confessed that she was going
out to marry me, but she had changed
her mind and would like to accept
Merton and go around the world with
him on Il wedding trip. The point of
honor referred to was whether this
change of front would be considered
dishonorable In the army. II 1t would
she preferred to stand by her old love.
told her that 1t would be incumbent
upon her to state the case to her fance
frankly and that no officer Of the
army could fail to release her without
being condemned by his fellows. When
she asked me whether she would be
famed for such a course by her army
friends and acquaintances l told her
that If she proceeded as had indi-
Gated her flance would exonerate her
and that would render her blameless.
Sept 10.
1 wish l had taken Hawkins advice
and let this matter alone. Marian and
could have been married in San
Francisco, and then Marian would not
have met this baldheaded old coot
that she has fallen in love with. He's
fully ten years her senior and nothing
but "cit." I've intended to win her
from a boy, and this old duffer has
won her from me. man just entering
on his prime. If the fool killer is
aboard he'll surely take me. Besides
losing my girl, I'll be the laughing
stock of the whole army. Uawkins
nota bene. If you give me away I'll
murder you. No one but you knows
my part In this affair, and unless you
tell I'll be considered by some an
injured man. If you do tell I'll be
regarded fool by all)
Sept. II.
Had a talk with Marian today as to
what course she had better pursue on
arrival. She gave up her fiance's name
at last-my name. 1 told her that 1t
was quite possible that on arrival Cap
tain Morris might not be able to meet
her 1 also advised her to go to
Colonel BIS, as she has arranged,
and meet Morris there, telling him
the whole story at once without keep
ing him waiting
Colonel and Mrs. B. came aboard to
meet Marian. was obliged to confine
myself to my stateroom to prevent CIV
ing the whole thing away. saw them
through the portfolio coming and going.
Marian went ashore with them. She
looked as happy as IL she hadn't chang
ed lovers between shores. / should
think she would dread the meeting
that's to come off with me, at which
she is to tell me that must make way
for another. and that after her making
long voyage to marry me. Merton
didn't go ashore with the party. l
suppose she feared she might meet me
unawares and preferred to have him
out of the way till the scene with me
Is all over with.
wonder how she'll look when she
learns that the man she has Travelled
with, whom she has made her conf
dant and who has advised her as to
the standard of army honor is the man
she has gone back on. BY Jove,
what climax for play! Only I'd
rather take the part of the other fel-
low. shall be as magnanimous as
possible-not blame her in the least,
but, of course, ! may let 1t be known
how deeply i am wounded.
In Quarters.
Nothing has happened as intended or
expected. l have been nerving myself
for one climax, and there has been an
other. I waited till all the army peo-
pie had gone ashore, then sneaked
ashore myself, feeling ashamed Of the
part I had been playing and dreading
I