The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-01-27
CHAPTER XIV.
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WA REITMANN and the admiral
 usually worked from 10 till O luncheon unless it was too
 stormy. and then the admiral took the day of. The business under hand was of no great moment. It was rather an outlet for the admiraI's energy and gave him something to look forward to as each day came round. Many q morning he IonEed for the quarterdeck of his old battle ship. Since his country had no fur ther use for him and as it was as ntc- essary as air 10 his lungs that he tread the deck of a ship be had pur- chased the Laura.
 ''Thaf will be all this morning. Mir. Breitman nn.'' he said. rising and look ing out of the pOrfhsie.
 Come in. Laura. come in."
 The girl stood framed in the low doorway. charming picture to the old man and lovely one to the secretary. She balanced herself with a hand on each side of the jam.
 Father. how can you work when the sun Is SO beautiful outside? Good morning. Mir. Brett mann." cordially. 'iOOd morning"
 'Work iS over. Laura. Come in" The admiral reached forth an arm and caught her. dra wing her gently in and finally to his breast.
 Breitmann would have given an eye for that right. The picture set his nerves twitching.
 ''I am not in the way7'
 Not at an." answered the secretary. "I was just eavIng." And with good foresight he passed out.
 "A thing of beauty Is joy forever" murmured the admiral.
 :-Epdaser -pd And >:.,.s E.. t2nShed ,,-
 we are having hne VOI age.
 'Splendid! Why Is it that I am al- ways happyT'
 "It is because you do not depend upon others for it. my dear. l am happy too. 1 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 din ner to tell the others where we are bOund.''
 "Why not?, Where's the harm now?" "I don't know. but something keeps it back. Laura" looking into her eyes. ''t1Id we ever cruise with brighter men on bOard2''
 What is 1t you wish to know. fa- ther?'' merrily. You dear old sailor. don't you understand that these men are different? They are men who ac- complish things. They haven't time to bother about young women"
 You don't say" pinching the ear nearest
 'This is the seventh day out. and not one of them has ceased to be inter esting 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 di- vided her affection with another man that man would be deserving.
 "I 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 l am"' with laughter. ''Why, a child could read Arthur Ca thewe's face when he looks at her Isn't she simply beautifully
 ''Very. But there are types and types. What do you think of MT Breitmann?' soberly.
 He Is charming sometimes, but b. has a little too much reserve. Doubt less he sees his position too keenly He should not"
 ''Do you like him?"
 "Yes." frankly.
 ''So do 1. and yet there are moments when l do not" The admiral filled his Bipe carefully.
 ''But your reasonT' surprised
 That's just the trouble. 1 haven't any tangible reason. The doubt ex- ists. and 1 can't explain it Flanagan will tell you"
 The girl grew studious and grave. Had there not been an echo of this