The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-03-06
CHAPTER XIV.


ONE LIES CHANCES ACAIN.
Another month went by at Fort Kel-
logg without particular incident. Judith
was now entirely recovered, taking part
in Mrs. Stewards cares and pleasures
like a sister. Every evening her horse,
Coaly, whom the Major had presented
to her, with saddle and bride, carried
her around the parade-ground in fine
style, himself and his mistress the ad-
mired of all beholders. It had, in fact,
become quite the fashion of this small
community to laud and applaud ''the
fair Judith" from the Colonel down to
men in the barracks; and ''the fair Ju-
dith" knew just enough Of her popular
ity to enjoy it, feeling at ease, as among
friends of long standing.
The Doctor and his wife remained the
kindest and most judicious of friends;
Mrs. Kellogg maintained a distant po-
liteness; the Major and all the other Of
fieers were friendly and gallant. All
this was exceedingly agreeable, and
might have turned a young head under
ordinary circumstances. The leaning
toward the Maj which Judith had felt
from the evening of their first ride to-
gether, remained, though it was seldom
he exhibited himself in so companion
able a character as on that occasion.
His familiar moods were rare; yet he
made her feel that whether absent or si-
lent he was not unmindful of her.
Having "taken Mrs. Stewart into
their confidence" as he had said to Ju-
dith she might do, that lady highly ap-
proved of the league. Indeed, in her Sc
cret heart she was beginning to look on
the Major as that Providence who was
TO assume the care of Judith in his own
proper person, and sometime, most
likely 10 make her Mrs. Providence; for
Mrs. Stewart was, like all women Of her
stamp, a matchmaker, with no opinion
at all of old maids, or any other class Of
'1one women" That so lovely person
as Judith should ever figure in the role
Of an unprotected female" was impos-
sible to her imagination; hence the easy
inference respecting these two, TO her
view, well-assorted people. But Of this,
with true matchmaking instinct, she
said nothing to the parties most inter-
ested.
Opportunity is all that is needed to
bring about that marriage" she whis-
pered to the Doctor, when Judith and
the Major walked or rode together, and
the Doctor, having no personal objec-
tiOns TO the arrangement, -acquiesced.
'If the Major would only make his
intentions known, we might keep her
here until it came off, she remarked at
another time; and so on. But the Ma
jor never seemed to be looking for Op-
portunities, and it was in vain they were
offered him. Neither did he speak OF
his intentions, though Mrs. Stewart
would have been the most sympathizing
of confidants; and thus another month
was lost.
In the meantime trouble was brewing
in an unexpected quarter. Colonel Kel.
logg, whose habits were more notori,
ously bad every month, and who was
recognized only on accountof his officia
position, placed himself on the list o.
Judith's admirers. His half-drunker
afiectations of gallantTy would have
been amusing if they had not been dis
gusting. Hardly day passed that he
did not present himself at Mrs. Stew
arts to make his maudlin compliments
to the ladies-meaning Judith.
Judith, half frightened and hall
amused, received them in silence, while
upon Mrs. Stewart fell the burden o.
conducting these interviews with pro-
priety. Sincerely longing to turn him
out of doors, she was restrained by tn,
recollection of his rank, and somewhat
also, out of consideration for Mrs. Kel
logg.
Affairs were brought to a crisis soone
than anticipated. One afternoon judith
was awakened from her siestd by som
one pinching her toes, q Ia Napoleon
and Madam Junot. Her first though
before opening her eyes was that it wa
Josie; but upon being aroused, and FIND
ing that the Colonel stood by her CO.
her impulse was to scream vigorously
with more JUNCTION than forethought.
The result was a grand tdbIeau il
dith, the Colonel, Mrs. Stewart, Josi
and Todd grouped together in and abou
the door of Judith's room, the ladies /
single robes of white, in attitudes {
shrinking horror, the Colonel, rubicun
and smiling, addressing felicitous e1
pressions Of admiration to one Of then
and waving Off the other with depreeai
ing gestures. Todd and Josie, mere speC
tators, gazed upon the scene.
This proved the straw that broke tb
camers back. Todd was ordered to pu
the drunken wretch" out Of the hous
without and did so prompr
ly, without regard to military rules an
regulations, and in an hour the scapd,
was known all over the garrison: an
this, as it proved, was very unfortunat
Had Judith not screamed, or had N,
Mrs. Stewart-suddenly awakened frol
sleep-been so diseomposed by the di
covery Of the Colonel where he had l
business to be, the matter might la,