AN OFFICIAL DESPATCH.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11502, 7 February 1903, Page 9

AN OFFICIAL DESPATCH.

Br Aiwsrrs Kittr.doe. After a social campaign of several months, after a siege' of attention from every eligible officer, both military and naval, within a day's journey of "The Harbour," it was observed that the heretofore impenetrable fortress of Miss Mapleson's heart showed signs of weakening. But, alas! every man cannot win, and it was finally reluctantly conceded that Miss Mapleson's favour shone on two men only—young Commander Gay and Captain Henderson. So the other forces, commanded by officers of greater or less degree, were quietly withdrawn to a point of vantage to watch the tactics of the two remaining besiegers. It was doubly interesting, att they represented the two branches of the service—it was the Army against th« Navy. N The chances offered to each were equal, for while Commander Gay's duty aboard the dispatch boat Walrus often carried him away from the field of action, Captain Henderson woe as. often detained at his post, the fortified island in the centre of the harbour.

It was galling to Gay to hare to run his boat over to the island and carry back his rival (with others of the garrison) to the scene of strife. But it was no more gating than for Henderson to be detained on the island, while he knew Gay was ashore, and carrying on the siege undisturbed. Thus wtre affairs when it was rumoured that Miss Map.eson was going East. The rumour become a certainty, and the interest of the watchers became intense; the energy of the besieging parties redoubledFinally, a week before Miss Mapleson's departure, and on a night when Henderson was detained on the island, Gay (gloating over the fact), called to find the house of Mapleson in much confusion, owing to the fact that Miss Mapleson'a departure hod been hastened, and she was to leave the following evening. "To-morrow night!" exclaimed Gay, in gallant despair. "Oh, then Miss Maple son, won't yoa allow me the honour of giving you a dinner aboard the Walrus, and taking you across the harbour to the station?" "I think that would be charming, only I fear I must decline the first part," said Miss Mapleson. "You see, I have half accepted an invitation to dinner, and I can't very -veil 'get out of it." "But if jrou should find that the halfaccepted invitation for dinner does not inateriali&e into a full one, may I have that pleasure as well as the trip across the bay?'' Miss Mapleson smiled in a peculiar fashion. ''Yes, in that case I shall be delighted to accept." Then she held out a note to Gay. "I wonder if it would be too much to ask you to drop this at the island on your first trip to-morrow? I'm afraid, if I send it by mail, it wi'd arrive too late." "It will give me the'greatest pleasure, Miss Mapleson," and Gay said it in a tone of voice that implied a willingness to start tho Walrus for tlie Pole that night if Miss Mapleson desired it. Ab Gay threw Ids coat over a clk-ir that night, the note —an innocent enough bit of paper—fell from his pocket, and, as he picked it up, he read the address of Captain Henderson.

Then did that innocent-looking note belie its appearance, and begin its disastrous work. Its pave, meek face bore the name of Gay's hated rival, its heart contained a message far ihim—evil thought—undoubttdly about that dinner Miss Mapleson spoke of,"Henderson's last chance! Thus spoke the note to Gay's jealousy-tainted mind. Except for its message, Henderson would probably remain unwa**. of Miss Mapleson's departure until too late. Mean, villainously mean thought a did that note suggest to .he infatuated Gay. At last he slipped it back into his pocket, and turned out the light. ''Of course, I am absent-minded, and then, again, I would never think of wearing that coat in the morning,'' murmured Gay, as be "turned in."

Tho next morning found the besieged garrison rather uneasy, a state of feeling riot unnatural to a garrison that is about to capitulate, but is not quite positive to which force. However, Miss Mapleson hod (almost unknown to herself) decided that the Army should determine the terms of surrender. But eleven o'clock come, and there was no signal—no flog of truce from the enemy. Twelve o'clock—one— and the Army -was srtiU silent. At two, Misa Mapleson began to realise how much she hod longed for that message; and at three, somewhat frigbtened at her own feelings, and determined to prove to herself that she really did not care, she sent a note to Commander Gay, stating that "she found with pleasura that she could accept his invitation for dinner." And the Navy beamed with delight.

The second and last trip of the Walrus was made to the island at five, and Gay's iautrageously hardened conscience never gave mm a pang a* be gased at the Uuecoated- figure of Omtoip Jp mA ~ rmM o» «■»

wharf. The Captain had expected a note from Miss Mapleson, setting the time for his dinner that evening, and no excuse that be made to himself could satisfactorily explain that young lady's / silence. If Gay's heart cou'.d have been softened, the Captain's dejected attitude would have done it, but, instead, tlie picture of the- defeated fee seemed to inspire him with a fiendish cruelty, and waiting for the boat to get just out of reach, bo called:

"Hard luck that you can't see Miss Mapleson before she goes to-night." "What?" shouted the astonished Henderson, thinking, ho had not heard aright. "I say Miss Mapleson is going to-night— ten forty—Santa Fe." "For Heaven's sake come back here," Henderson shouted.

But Gay only smiled sweetly. Then he delivered his parting shot—it was mean, he knew it—but he just couldn't help it:

"She's coming aboard the Walrus for dinner," he called through his hands, and left Captain Hende-rson acting like a man on wire*, and shouting indistinguishable language that had tlie general sound of being rather strong. "Ai.'a fair in love or war," quoth Gay as he went below to dress for dinner. Unfortunately, the dinner was not the success he had expected-, for, delightful host that he was, and presiding over a delicious and charmingly served meal, he yvas unable to arouse Miss Mapleson, who was eadly distrait, and the conversation yvas sadly distrait, and the conversation yvas chiefly carried on by Gay and tlie chaperon —a not very enlivening process, yvhen one does not cure for the chaperon.

Gay struggled manfully, however, and was just bending forward to pay Miss Mapleson a most impressive compliment, yvhen an orderly entered the cabin with a despatch. As Gay read it, hia face underwent the most alarming changes—his eyes fairly popped from hia head—his face, at first ashen, suddenly turned a deep purple, and finally, choking with unsuppressible emotions, he hurriedly excused himself and rushed on deck. In his excitement Gay had thrown the despatch, face upward, on the table, and Miss Mapleson read the following official message: — The cow has fallen oS the island. Come immediately. Colonel Shakspeahe. For one minute the women looked at each other, and then shrieked yvith laughter. 'A he sounds reached the ears of Commander Gay, and he ground his teeth in helpless rage. 'Oh 1 if the message hadn't been from nis superior officer! If only he could have had time to steam back and land his guests! That his dinner for Mies Mapleson should be interrupted, ruined, for the sake of a govermental cow that had fallen overboard— ayv-r-r-r-r!" Gay stamped the deck and muttered incoherently; and all the time they were steaming rapidly toward the little island in the centre of the bay. "But I don't understand,"' gasped the chaperon, wiping the tears from her eyes. "Is it a very valuable cow?"

'Very," sighed Miss Mapleson, weak from mirth. "The fortifications and embankments ore so steep that they can't use a lawnmower, and heuco the cow! and—and—it's become quite a pet and—oh, dear! and evidently it's fallen off one—one of the steep side—hi-hi-hills, oh! " and off they went'into peal after peal of uncontrollable laughter. .

As they approached the island, they saw the poor animul in the water, kept afloat by two soldiers in a small boat stationed to support her head. And then, a little nearer, and the stalwart form of Captain Henderson was discernible on the wharf. "Glad you've come, Gay. Get the poor brute as soon as you can, will you?" said Henderson, cheerfully, as he came on deck. Gay was incapable of a reply permissible in.addressing a' brother officer.

As Gay worked to land the animated lawn-mower, his rival again stormed the much weakened garrison. A few stern questions, promptly answered, proved conclusively that the despatch of war had been tampered wilh, and this point settled, the storming party went on to sketch the terms of surrender" in such a pleading manner, putting it, in fact, in such an altogether charming light, that the garrison sweetly and gently capitulated, and there was peace. So taken up were they with more important subjects that neither the victor nor the captive thought to ask Gay about the note, and his elaborately prepared explanation was not even called for. "I'm going over to the station with you, Gay," said Henderson, slapping the sullen CoaMnander on the shoulder. "And, 1 say, old chap, you don't mind, do you, but, entre nous, you know, I shoved the cow off the island nxyeelf."