A TEN YEARS’ INTERVAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3711, 21 December 1912, Page 15

A TEN YEARS’ INTERVAL.

(By Emily J. Armsby

The time had come for the meeting of a class of graduates of the Naval academy at Annapolis of ten years before. A lieutenant who had just arrived stood on a certain spot on the parade ground in a contemplative mood. A lady leading a little girl by, the hand came along a walk._m “I beg your pardon,” said the lieutenant, lifting his cap. “Can you tell me if Professor D. still occupies a chair at the academy?” “He does.”

“I am a member of the class of 1.90 —. I studied under Professor D. and had a great admiration for him.” He waited for the lady to say something more, but she did not seem inclined to do so. He continued : “Professor D. had a lovely daughter. Alice. Is she still living?” “She is.”

“H’m!” He gazed on vacancy. Evidently he had returned to his cadet days and some especial memory. “I knew Miss Alice D.,” he resumed presently. “She was a lovely girl.” “She is an especial friend of mine. She told me once that she was engaged to a cade 7- who graduated about your time, poss'bly of your class.”

“Indeed' -7 ” “Yes. He sailed for the east after leaving here and did not return. “Surely lie wrote to her?” “I believe he sent her a letter or two, but that ended the correspondence.”

"Dropped by the lady, I presume. We naval men ajm noted for our constancy.” "If having a sweetheart in everv port is constancv then you are all models of faithfulnss.” "I cannot conceive a member of my