The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1917-06-29
By ETHEL HOLMES

tainly reckless She would flirt with
several men Ut time without needing
The consequences and when corncred
would. II possible, dodge them all by
flight, leaving them to settle the mat
ter among themselves
And so II was that some blamed
her, others defended her, but all were
amused by her. II was very interest
ing 10 see MILDLY come upon the
edge Of the vortex, get drawn In. drop
out. giving place perhaps TO ii fellow
MILDLY, perhaps TO an officer Whether
the girl realized the wrong she was OF.
ten doing, whether she was uncon-
scious OF 1t or whether size had no mp.
probation of the tenderness OF men \
hearts, certain II Is that she never seem.
ed either ashamed OF her conquests or
proud Of them Indeed she gave every
evidence that she regretted them.
A 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 acad.
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 middies by the
ears"
In the class to be graduated the fol-
lowing spEing were two young men.
Hector Peckham and leslie Holt Both
met Kate Langdon. and both fell VIC
lently in love with her In the govern
ment academies the standard OF hon
or is very high. Neither OF the cadets
would take the slightest advantage OF
the other, but neither could ind out
which was really the favored one. Nor
were they ever sure but that one OF
several other middles might not after
all carry OF the prize.
Peckham finally won. Kate gave
him her heart and. TO the surprise OF
every one, gave him the whole OF H.
There were a number OF dlsappoint-
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 Il
finally came out that Peckham had
won, Holt went to see her 10 ask II
the news were true. She confessed.
and he told her that she had wrecked
his life
Young men have said this before TO
young women to marry some other
and live happily Some have remained
single. cherishing their idol in their
hearts. to meet that idol when past
middle age and find II demolished
Holt so hong MS he lived-he did not
live long never recovered from his in
fatuation The words he used at his
last meeting with Kate Langdon made
the 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 hurrfedly put In condition for
war. And the middies, too, were being
hurried on In their academic course,
to be graduated as soon as hostilities
commenced,
The following spring Peckham and
Holt were graduated and assigned 10
war vessel sailing for Cuba. Feck-
ham aud Kate were married before be
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 luckiest man that had ever
wooed woman.
Kate, having Joined the navy matri-
monially, felt at home at n naval stn-
ton. and her aunt, who adored her, In
yited her to remain with her indefinite
". SO Kate stayed where she would
be In touch with her husband far more
than lat home That was an exciting
summer. First came news of the light
In Manila bay then the entrance Of
the Spanish Admiral Cervera's feet
into Cuban waters, its attempt to es
cape and its destruction.
Peckham and Holt went through this
last fight, and when It WAS over the
latter officer was ordered TO the com
mand of small supply boat and di.
rected to sail for the Brooklyn navy
yard.
Can do anything for You at homer"
he asked of Peckham.
Nothing, unless you will take a let
ter for my wife. You will mail It as
soon as you get to Brooklyn"
with pleasure" replied Holt.
Peckham wrote u short note TO his
wife and gave ii TO Holt
"rhe trap I'm to command is not
very seaworthy," said the latter. "If
/ meet big blow may not get
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
was sitting In her room at Annapolis
reading accounts Of the naval fight oT
Cuba--she had read them many times
N draff hlcw onon tho