Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1911-01-28
by F. A. Mitchell

ton, then won them Some said she
was very deep others that she was Il
simple child OF nature. She was Ger
tainly reckless She would firt with
several men ut time without needing
the consequences and when cornered
would. If possible, dodge them all by
digit. leaving them to settle the mat
ter among themselves.
Aud so II was that some blamed her.
Others defended her but all were
amused by her. II was very interest
Ing TO see a MILDLY come upon the
edge of the vortex, get drawn IN. drop
out, giving place perhaps TO a fellow
MILDLY. perhaps 10 an officer. Whether
the girl realized the wrong she was Of
ten doing. whether She was uncon-
scious of 1t or whether she had no APP
probation of the tenderness of mems
hearts, certain it is that she never seem
ed either ashamed of her conquests or
proud OF them. Indeed, she gave every
evidence that she regretted them.
\ fine field for such girls Is either the
West Point or Annapolis academy,
where young men are trained for the
army or navy. Kate Langdon the year
of the breaking out of the Spanish
American war visited the Naval aead-
envy as the guest of her aunt, Mrs.
Lyall, the wife OF one of the professors.
She hadn't been there week before
she had half dozen cadets by the
ears"
In the class TO be graduated the fol-
lowing spring were two young men,
Hector Peckham and Leslie Holt. Both
met Kate Langdon, aud both fell VIC
lently Ia love with her. In the govern
ment academies the standard of honor
Is very high Neither of the cadets
would take the slightest advantage of
the other, but neither could find out
which was really the favored one. Nor
were they ever sure but that one Of
several other cadets might not after
all carry Off the prize.
Peckham finally won. Kate gave
him her heart and, to the surprise OF
every one. gave him the whole of It.
There were number of disappoint-
ments In consequence of this victory,
the most serious of which was Leslie
Holt. Kate had given him great
deal of encouragement and for some
time after she came to a decision
hadn't the heart to break with him.
When II finally came out that Peck
ham had won, Holt went TO see her TO
ask II the news We're true. She con
fessed and he told her that she had
wrecked his life
Young men have said this before 10
young women. 60 marry some othe:
and live happily Some have remain
ed single. cherishing their idol In their
hearts. TO meet that idol when past
middle age and find II demolished.
Holt so long MS he llved-hc did not
live long recovered from his in
fatuation. The words lie used at his
last meeting with Kate Ianglon made
tho first change IN her. By them her
light. gladstone nature received its
first SOLDERING.
Meanwhile the Cuban war was COM
ing on. and ships and munitions were
being hurriedly put in condition for
war And the cadets. too. were being
hurried on in their academic course
to be graduated as soon rs hostilities
commenced.
The following spring Peckham and
Holt were graduated and assigned to
a war vessel sailing for Cuba. Peek
ham and Kate were married before he
sailed. The wedding was notable
from the number of disappointed
young men IN attendance. But every
man OF them swore by the bride and
considered the groom the lueklest man
that had ever wooed woman.
Kate, having joined the navy matri-
monially. felt at home ut a naval sta.
ton. and her aunt. who adOred her
invited her 10 remain with her In.
definitely. So Kate stayed where she
would be In touch with her husband
far more than at home. That was an
exciting summer First came news Of
the fight In Manila bay. then the en-.
trance OF the Spanish Admiral Cerve-
ra's fleet into Cuban waters. It's at
tempt to escape and It's destruction.
Peckham and Holt went through
this last fight. and when 1t was over
the latter officer was ordered 10 the
command Of small supply boat and
directed to sail for the Brooklyn navy
yard.
Can / do anything for You at
homer he asked Of Peclibam
Nothing, unless you will take n
letter for my wife. You can mail 1t
as soon as You get 20 Brooklyn"
with pleasure" replied Holt
Peckham wrote short note 10 his
wife and gave II TO Holt,
THE trap I'm to command Is not
very scaworthy." said the latter. III
meet big blow may not get
through. But promise you. Hector
that your wife shall have the letter"
Peckham hoped that his friend
would get through safely. and they
parted.
One morning young Mrs. Peckham