"What's this, father?" asked the young officer.
"I have had it about three weeks, but waited for your entire recovery
before I gave it to you," replied the captain. "Open it."
Christy did so, read it, and then in his excitement, dropped it on the
floor. It was his commission as a lieutenant-commander.
CHAPTER XXV
THE PRINCIPAL OFFICERS OF THE ST. REGIS
Christy Passford was astounded and confounded when he read the
commission. He modestly believed that he had already been promoted
beyond his deserving, though no one else, not even his father, thought
so. He had not sought promotion at any time, and he had been hurried
through four grades in something over three years. He was the heir of
millions, and he had given all his pay to wounded sailors and the
families of those who had fallen in naval actions.
His share of the prize money resulting from the captures in which he had
taken part as commander or in some subordinate position had made him a
rich man; and with his mother's assistance, he was disbursing no small
portion of his wealth among those who had been deprived of their support
by the casualties of the war. He had not expected or even hoped for any
further promotion, though the newspaper had extolled to the skies his
brilliant exploit in the Gulf.
"What does this mean, father?" asked Christy, dropping into a chair as
if overwhelmed by the contents of the envelope.
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