himself
into the work and the natural executive ability which he displayed soon
marked him as a coming man in diplomatic circles. But the speculations
of his friends concerning his future career were destined to be rudely
shattered by one of those inexplicable tricks of fate which, in the
twinkling of an eye, so often change the lives of individuals.

The spirit of adventure which had lain dormant within him ever since his
decision to adopt diplomacy as a profession was suddenly awakened by the
outbreak of hostilities between Spain and the United States. Through the
influence of his father, General Forest, a Civil War veteran, and that
of his uncle, Colonel Van Ashton, retired, he received the appointment
of Second Lieutenant of Volunteers and shipped with his regiment for
Cuba. He was wounded at the battle of Santiago, though not seriously. At
the close of the campaign in the West Indies his regiment was ordered to
the Philippines, where, at the end of a year, he was promoted to a
captaincy in the regular army. At this juncture in his career the sudden
death of his father necessitated his return to America on leave of
absence.

The estate to which he and his mother fell heirs was an unusually large
one, the administration of which demanded his immediate and entire
attention if they wished to keep their holdings intact. But as this was
clearly incompatible to the life of a soldier, he was forced to resign
from the army. He took this step without great reluctance, for brief
though his career as a soldier had been, it was a brilliant and
satisfactory one. It was not for the glory of the profession that he had
entered the army, but purely in the spirit of the patriot; and he had
fought his battles and returned with newly won laurels and a fund of
interesting experiences. Besides, campaigning in the Philippines had
convinced him that diplomacy, though perhaps not always so exciting,
was preferable to a life whose daily routine was enlivened only by
target practice, dress-parades and the occasional diversion of chasing
naked men about in the bush.

As soon as the estate was settled it was his intention to reenter the
diplomatic service for which he knew himself to be better fitted than
before his two years experience in the army.

The bulk of the fortune consisted of mines in Mexico, whither he was
called to superintend his interests. At the end of a year, however, he
received word from his uncle informing him that the M