The Washington herald., 1911-02-26
CHAPTER XVII.
A Question from Keats.

took the day of. The business under
hand was of no great moment: it was
rather an outlet for the admiraPs en-
ergy and gave him something to look
forward to as each day came around.
Many a morning he longed for the quar-
terdeck of his old battle ship; the trig
crew and marines lined up for inspection;
the reyelries of the foreign ports; the
great maneuvers; the target practice.
Never would his old heart swell again
under the full-dress uniform nor his eyes
sparkle under the plume of his rank. He
was retired on half pay. Only a few
close friends knew. how his half pay was
invested. There remained perhaps ten
of the old war crew, and among them
every Christmas the admirars half pay
was divided. This and his daughter were
the two unalloyed joys of his life.
Since his country had no further use
for him, and as it was as necessary as
air TO his lungs that he tread the deck
CT a ship. he had purchased the Laura,
and when he was not stirring up the
bones of dead pirates he was at Cowes
or al Brest or at Keil or on the Hudson,
wherever the big fellows indulged in
mimic warfare.
That will be all this morning, Mr.
Breitmann,'' he said, rising and looking
out, of the portfolio
VERY well, sir; 1 believe that by the
time we make Corsica we shall have the
book ready for the printers. It is very
interesting"
Much obliged. You have been a good
aid. AS you know, am writing this rub
bish only because it is play and passable
mental exercise
q do not agree with you there re-
turned the secretary. with his pleasant
smile THE book will be really-a treas
ure of itself. 1t is far more interesting
than any romance"
The admiral shook his head obviously.
NO, no." Breftmann averred. There
is no fiattery in what 1 say. Flattery
was not in our agreement. And with
slight lift of the jaw, = never say what
/ do not honestly mean. 1t will be
good book, and 1 am proud to have had
a hand, however light, in the making"
The admiral chuckled. THAT is the
kind of hattery no man may shut his
ears to. 1t has been a great pleasure to
me; it has kept me out of doors, in the
open, where 1 belong. Come in, Laura,
come in
The girl stood framed in the low door
way, a charming picture to the old man
and a lovely one to the secretary. She
balanced herself with a hand on each
side of the jam.
Father, how can you work when the
sup-is so beautiful outside? Good morn
ing, Mr.. Breitmann," cordially.
Good morning.
Work is over, Laura. Come in The
admiral reached forth an arm and caught
her, drawing her gently in and finally to
his breast
Breitmann would have given an eye
for that right. The picture set his nerves
twitching.
81 am not in the way?"
Not at ALL" answered the secretary.
Il was just leaving" And with good
foresight he passed out
"A thing Of beauty is a joy forever"
murmured the admiral.
Fudge" and she laughed.
We are having a fine voyage"
Splendid! Why is it that am always
happy
1T is because you do not depend upon
others for il, my dear. 1 am happy, too.
l am as happy as a boy with his first
boat. But never has a ship gone slower
than this one of mine. ! am simply crazy
to drop anchor in the Gulf of Ajaccio. 1
find it ON the tip of my tongue every
night at dinner to tell the others where
we are bound
Il don't know, but something keeps il
back. Laura" looking into her eyes,
did we ever cruise with brighter men
on board?''
What is it you wish to know, father?''
merrily. You dear old sailor don't you
understand that these men are different?
They are men who accomplish things;
they haven't time to bother about young
women"
You don't sayr' pinching the ear near
est
This is the seventh day out, and not
one of them has ceased to be interesting
yet"
Would they cease to be interesting if
they proposed" ?" quizzing.
These two had no unshared secrets.
They were sure of each other. He knew
that when this child of his divided her
affection with another man that man
would be deserving.
81 would rather have them all as they
are. They make fine comrades"
He sighed thankfully. Arthur seems
to be out of the race"
Rather say / ami with Laughter.
why, child could read Arthur Ca
thieves face when he looks at her. Isn't
she simply beautiful?"
Very. But there are types and types"
Am l really pretty?' Sometimes she
grew shy under her fathers open admi-
ration. She was afraid it was his love
rather than his judgment that made her
beautiful in his eyes.
MY child, there's more than one man
who will agree with me when 1 say that
there is no one to compare with you
You are the living quotation from Keats"
81 shall kiss you for that" And
straightway she did.
What do you think Of Mr.. Brett
mann?'' soberly
HE is charming sometimes, but be has
a little too much reserve. Doubtless he
sees his position too keenly. He should
not"
do you like him.
Yes frankly.
so do I; and yet there are moments
when 1 do not" The admiral filled his
pipe carefully
But your reason7'' surprised
That's just the trouble haven't any
can't explain it The sea often looks
smooth and mild, and the sky is cloud |
less. yet an old sailor will suddenly grow
suspicious; he win see a storm, heavy |
blow. And why, he couldn't say for the |
life of him. Flanagan will tell you
The girl grew studious and grave. Had
there not been an echo of this doubt in |
her own mind? Immediately she smiled. |
I'VE are talking nonsense and wasting |
the sunshine.
How about Fitzgeralds''
''Oh, he's the most sensible of them all. |
He proposed to me the first night out"
.'What?' The admiral dropped his pipe |
Not so loud!'' she warned. And then |
the clear music of her laughter penetrat- |
cd beyond the cabin. and Fitzgerald |