The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1880-03-18
CHAPTER xviii
PRESTO. cHANeE

The early morning brought welcome
change into the dull camp life al the
military post.
Lieutenant Ingleton was astir al the
day dawn, under orders to draw largely
from the choicest reserve stores OF the
coDlmissary department preparatory to
furnishing feast for General Arburion
and family, who were expected to reach
the garrison by noon.
There's a young LADY in lie case,
too, young man, and before you're
aware Of il you'll be falling a victim to
her charms" said Colonel Bateman, in a
bantering tone. "She's a niece or ward
OF the Generals, aud is said to be hand
some and accomplished. wouldn't
give the toss Of a sixpence for the
chances Of your peerless wildwood flower
Of Cbincapin Oaks, after this"
"Do you doubt my honor, Colonel
Batemau?" asked the commissary clerk,
who, since the title Of Lieutenant had
been conferred upon him, had, perhaps
unconsciously, acquired a considerable
degree Of self-assertiOn.
"Who the deuce was saying anything
about honor, I'd like 10 know? Have
you so soon forgotten our conversation
Of only yesterday? Have care, young
man. II is a sorrowful hut neverthe-
less iucontrovertible fact that few men
have been known to exercise much dis
play Of honor aside from their own
changing fancies. The old say ying that
everything is fair in love or war, is par
ticularly applicable to lore, at least"
"Do you mean TO tell me that there
would be anything fair or honorable iu
my breaking faith with Lie Hardiue,
even IL such a thing were possible a.
that should ever be unwise enough to
want to do il 81
81 mean 90 tell you, young man, that
you'll he like all The rest Of The sous aud
daughters Of Adum-you'll folio.g your
inelinatious, If you can, no matter
where they may lead you"
The conversation was interrupted ST
this point by the entrance Of private,
who respectfully informed the Colonel
that pair Of anibulances were already
in sight, followed by retinue Of pack
mules and mounted soldiery.
This was the signal for renewed activ-
titles in and around the barracks Colo
mel Baiemau prided himself upon sus-
tanning his well-known hospitality aud
skill iu entertaining company, aud was
now in the mood to do his very best TO
prove to his guests that comfort aud
even luxury were not so much depend
ent upon locality and convenience as
upon taste and skill.
The commissary clerks new title Of
Lieutenant seemed very commonplace
to the young man, rs from his desk in a
secluded corner Of the Colonel's quarters
he furtively watched the cavalcade that,
despite the toll and soil Of frontier
travel, presented a somewhat Imposing
appearance, as the escort halted on the
plaza, and the ambulance, drawn by
four horses Zone of them very lame),
containing the General aud ladies,
drove directly to Colonel Bateman's
door, and the party proceeded to
alight, amid the CHEEKY greetings Of
officers aud friends.
The hand Of Lieutenant Ingleton
trembled as he made his entries, and
his brain grew muddled as he tried in
vain TO add the long array Of figures be-
fore him on the written page From
bis perch behind his desk he could
easily observe all that was going on.
Colonel Bateman was looking his best
and evidently feeling his happiest.
"The north room will be assigned to
Miss Arburion as soon as We can make
it ready" be said, heartily. "The no.
tioe was so short that We hadn't time to
ftit up in anticipation OF the pleasure
In store for us. My commissary clerk
has occupied the room, but lie will
gladly relinquish it for so superb an oc-
cupant."
"Commissary clerk be" exclaimed
the Lieutenant to himself The con-
Guiding word was not uttered, even in a
whisper; but fear that il it had been
it would have been something emphat-
ically prOfane.
Don't incommode your clerk, OF
anybody else, on my account, Colonel, ]
beseech you, or 1 shall be sorry that ]
consented to come" said a piPe-voicet
girl from behind a travelling veil thai
completely concealed her features.
Nonsense Miss ArburtoD. Nothing
that we can do for you will be consid
cred in any other light than that OF IN
mitigated pleasure. Here, John ~ ad
dressing the "Lieutenant," who felt a
though the earth, in pity for his humil
iation, ought to open It's mouth aud re
ceive him bodily.
"Yes, sir"
The long column Of figures seemed Il
fall to pieces aud roll themselves away
into hidden corners and play ruthlessll
at hide and seek among the contracted
corridors Of his brain. Remember
reader kind, that it bad been man,
months since John IngletOn had seeI
the face Of & woman, and be possessed