The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-12

1 cart the very air rang with the acclama- tions of the multitude, and a thousand braves saluted the feat, while the name of the daring and gallant dragoon was passed from mouth to mouth. So 1t is no wonder that the youth received that afternoon note from Don Manuel invit- ing him to his house, or that all the of fcers who had not yet had the honor of a presentation to the young hero sought one immediately
 When Charley heard the name of tho girl whose life he had saved by not rid ing her down he was struck with a re- membrance. On his arrival off the Por. tuguese coast he had met young mid i shipman named Howard, who had in- trusted to him packet directed to this same Inez, and Charles had promised to | deliver it. The ensign was on his way with his ship to the Mediterranean, and had told OMalley that he was desper- ately in love with Inez.
 l It struck O'Malley that now was good time to deliver the packet Bright thoughts like this occasionally occurred to him. He quickly became an intimate of the household of Don Manuel and was looked upon as the favorite suitor of the fair Inez. When he delivered the packet from poor Howard the laughing girl ask | ed him what he had done with the lock of hair which the midshipman said in his letter he had inclosed. Charles thought he might have left the package contain ing the lock of hair at his lodgings. But as search failed to disclose it. he cut a lock from his own head, just over the right temple. and gave that to Inez, pre- tending that 1t was the one Howard had sent.
 1 But Inez, laughing in his face. told him that Towards hair was black while his was "auburn"-and kept the lock for | OMalley's sake. Howard, she said. was only one of her many admirers-she al- ways had a number-and she really did not care for the sailor boy. So Inez f1irt- ed with Charles and Charles made love to Inez. and neither of them took the mat ter very seriously. But the public did. and so did certain Captain Trevylian, who scowled at O'Malley when the two met at Don Manuel's house. Now. be- l fore Charles had left Dublin he had made a call upon Lucy Dashwood, told her he loved her, but knew he could never win her love in return, and so would say fare we'll.
 l Lucy had answered in manner which Charles thought did not deny that her affections were engaged elsewhere. To Powers Lucy had confded a packet for Captain Hammersley. Powers, being or dered to the front soon after reaching J Lisbon, left the packet with Charles. It was after the battle of the Duoro, which l took place not long after the arrival of the endorsements (and at which O'Mal- l ley performed prodigies of valor and was wounded in the arm) that he received a call from the captain. Hammersley con graduated O'Malley upon his bravery and upon his promotion to a lieutenancy, which had come as result of his mar tial exploits. and remarked that Powers had told him Charles had a packet for him.
 | O'Malley delivered the packet into the l captains hands and as he opened it a miniature fell out. It was a picture of the captain himself, returned by Lucy.
 
 grew pale and he said sternly: q sup pose, MT. O'Malley, that you are aware of the contents of this letter." q am in complete ignorance of them'' replied Charles. Indeed, sir, then perhaps you will tell me that your very success is a | secret to you 'I really am not aware " You think, sir, that the pastime is | an amusing one to interfere where the affections of others are concerned. have heard of you. sir. Your conduct at Lis bon Is known to me, and though Captain | Trevyllian may bear "Stop!" cried Charles. you have said quite enough, sir, to convince me of what your object was | in seeking me today. You shall not be dsappointed' The captain thanked him for his "quiclness of apprehension and | left. Charles was about to seek out Fred ! Powers, who had rejoined, when that young man entered. He had just seen