The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-05-13
The Cool Captain.

1t was in September, '62. The Cliffs
had not been so gay as usual. but perhaps
had seldom been peasanter and all of cur
party had resolved TO stay until the Septem-
Der storms were over. The very last day OF
summer an !ditioD had been made to our
numoer-Capt. Saltonstall of the thirty
fourth, on furloush. Of course a live hero,
with an actual scar on his forehead was
worth making an IDOL Of; and tie way the
girls followed, and petted, and crowded round
him was something to see. Marcia called
him Dagon,' and laughed a good deal about
the fashion in which he was worshiped He
had been there a week when, one morning
we sat in the bay window of the long, low
parlor, she and |, both watching him, with
his usual circle Of admirers clustering around
him, like bee round Aower,' happened
to say. Marcia laughed.
Rather a tough flower, Ruthie. I'm not
going to call him Dagon any more. He's
such an ungracious idol. Just see how cava-
erly he takes all their homage. III tell YOU
who he makes me think of-the Cool Cap
tain, in Sword and Gown
| looked at Marcia, and saw a gleam of In
terest dc not ike in the violet eyes which
were watching Capt. Saltonstall.
Il wish he had never come | said petu
IantIy. | should not care to see you playing
Cecil 10 his Royston.'
Just then he got away from his admirers
and came up to US.
Isn't it fine day p with that curl of his
mustached lip, which always vexed ME int
spitefu!lness, because it made me think hi
was laughing at me.
No, | said, it is wretched day. Tht
sky is gloomy, and the wind walls, and there
is damp, clingng mist in the air worse thar
rain
But think | like it, Marcia said, per
versely. There's sort Of sad music in th'
wind. complaining melody, like the Iamen
of the bereaved Siren, and the mist is So!
and suggestive like the sea-
Captain Saltonstal's gray eyes flashed ou
one spark of triumph, then. with a bow,
I'm glad you ike il, Miss Marcia. IwiSN
if you do not fear the damp, You would 9
to walk with me. But suppose you dar
not venture off the piazza. Thin boots, G
course
Marcia laughed lightly, holding out 70
ins pection foot cased in dainty little brode
kins, with cinking heels, and soIes half a
inch thick.
'Tire Ia common sense. You see yo
don't keep advised Of the changes of fashior
| will walk as fast and as far as You like
followed her as she went for her hat an
shawl, and asked her how she thought Chal
!ey Cahill would like to have her going OF
with another escort. She turned upon III
Will q SeSSulc vi htAdLIpu GtU UlSuitu.
He has no right to like or dislike it.
am not engaged to Charley Cahill and if h
should attempt to dictate my movements. /
would play a losing game.
retreated discomfted, and wishing mo,
than ever that Captain Saltoastall had ney,
come To The Cliffs
: l had loved Charley Cahill like brotn
! from childhood. He was my cousin, but n
d Marcia's. Marcia was only my adopted 81
e ter-a legacy in her babyhood to my moth
: from dying friend. l DO not think, thoug
that If she had been of our own blood al
d OF US could have loved her more dearly. Y
: | did not understand her very well. l HI
e been thinking that she was learning to 10
Charley. She had certainly seemed pleas