The Huttig news., 1913-09-27
Hope and Disappointment.
CHAPTER |.

fnander or the Scorpion, made aS though to place the dispatch in his pocket, then, taking pity upon his sec ond," who was all eyes, he turned the paper over to his junior lieutenant, known throughout the f1otilla as Bob oy" Frost.
 You will leave Newport News at ten o'clock tonight with the destroyer Scorpion and proceed south to the par. mt ship of the First Torpedo Boat Flo tilla of Key West, prepared for ac- tion'
 This order was warmly welcomed by Holton and by his second in command of the grim, lead-colored Scorpion.
 Tt looks like business, doesn't it?" observed Frost with tentative inflec- ion in his voice.
 Tt does, sure," chuckled Iiolton I'm glad we had those baffle plates fixed in the boiler. I suppose we might as well have the warheads fixed on the torpedoes, too. The orders say prepared for action Attend to it. gill you. Frost?"
 Aye. aye. sir" and Frost hurried Hong the grimy, oily deck to the after companionway.
 The somewhat informal nature of he dialogue between the two will be orgiven by the f3stidousi when if Is ointed out that for month the Scor 1ion had been lying at Newport News 1n detached duty of confidential na sure under direct orders from Wash ngton, and that Uolton's sole com panion aboard ship in that time had been his young second. But the period of loneliness was evidently to end in q burst Of glory and Lieutenant IIolton was truly thankful.
 In the preceding month the mighty battle.ship Maine had widowed down int the slimy ooze of Havana Harbor. a great hole torn in her forward com partments. In her lay one of Holten's best friends, shipmate of pleasant days following graduation at the Naval Academy. The cry, Remember the Maine,'' was sounding from Maine 1 itself 70 California. The entire eoun- try was on the qui vive. Oseood. the l hero of many an American football
  given up his life at the side of ma chine gun: Frederick Funston had served valiantly against the tyrants of Castle and Aragon, and other Ameri- cans had given evidence that the fight ing spirit was by no means dormant in the heart of a nation or pigs and tradesmen.'
 With the situation thus there was little cause for wonder at Lieutenant Holton's emotions of mental eXalta- ton Whatever the future might hold for him. at least this seemed certain. there would be action, and that is something for which your true gentle man of the service Is ever on the watch
 Something of the mood of tho two young officers was communicated to the crew. There were broad grins on all the nen's faces as they hurried about the performance of the various tcsks, and many of them did not, for bear to turn sfnauiring faces toward their officers whenever occasion offer cd-which expressions, naturally their officers failed" to see.
 At sunset everything was in readi- ness, and with a sigh of relief Holton stretched himself on the narrow seat running along the mess-room and low ingly filled his pine. Frost did like wise and then locked over at his SUI perior.
 "By George," he Cried. think Of having the opportunity of putting into practice all the things we've iearned,"
 'It won't be bad fun at all. replied, liolton.
 Frost was about to utter another thought when the doorway was dark eued by the figure of a messenger
 "A telegram for Lieutenant Hol. ton" he said, saluting.
 Hoton took it hastily and ran over the contents. His face cIcuded and he read it again. A good strong word vas trembling ou his lips. and he was bout to crumple the dispatch in his hand when his eye fell on the messen. ger standing at attention.
 "Oh, thank you he said; there is no answer
 As the messenger departed Holton handed the telegram to his second without word
 You will proceed at once to Wash ington aud report to me at the earliest possible moment. Lieutenant Frost will assume command of Scorpion in your absence. ROOSEVELT"
 As Frost read the message aloud his voice Guivered with excitement What does that mean?" he exclaired.
 Hanged if know" growled Holton. Isn't that just my luck! I've been working on this old pot trying to get her into shape and hoping and pray ing for chance to make good, and then when there appears to be some thing doing. why I get skinned this way"
 Frost knew exactly how the com mander felt, and his natural exulta. ton at being placsd in command Of