Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-19
LOVES STRATAGEM.

Lieut. Marshall clanked into his diminutivs
quarters helmeted and sworded.
''Hail, guardian Of the fortr' cried Mrs Mar
shall, looking mp from the psrsual of letter
from home. did you have . very horrible
night"
80, so.-
These nights on guard were always horrible
In Mrs. Marshalrs mind and 90 unnecessary
she grumbled, in piping times of peace. No
Indians within five hundred miles; no labor
riots She did not believe in works of super
erogation.
Marshall was saying, "In time of peace pre-
pare for war" sleepily, when an orderly
raped "Hullo. here's active service for
you'-reading the paper handed in by the
orderly Betty came and read over her hus-
bands shoulder. 81 am not sure that like
this kind Of police duty, however"
August twentieth That's tomorrow,
Tom An escort of ten men, To pursue and
arrest and bring back to Jail in Green River
Jas OLeary. What does it all mean?"
''O'Leary il the fellow who broke into Jones'
iewelry store in Green River the other day.
He is a desperate character, hear; escaped
from Texas Q few months ago, where he was
awaiting trial for granddaughter. I wish the
rascals. And Why should the colonel pitch on
me to go? just OF the guard, too, and as
seedy as you please"
Betty sympathized with him fully, Of course;
you might be sure Of that Toms grievances
eased Of in that sunshine. He picked himself
up presently, and went back to the guard-house
TO turn over his responsibilities to his imme-
dlate successor; then to see the colonel, and
CLEAN particulars IN regard to the morrow's ex-
petition. II was borne in upon him that the
colonel had proposed to compliment him by
this detail. IF I can only keep my eyes
open" he said TO himself. strolling down the
line from the colonies office, gazing at pho
tosraPh Of the escaped burglar, which had
been handed him. Two or three officers were
standing on the porch talking TO Betty when
he came up. He showed the photograph.
'.OLeary. his countenance," said one Of
these. "Old Jim, they call him. because he
Was christened John, and because he looks like
babe. If we were in San Antonio now, and
you caught him and brought him back to the
Jail there, the chances are he would be lynched.
he has very unenviabie reputation down that
wanted badly"
..who is it he looks like?" Betty wondered.
.'One Of Raphaers eherubsi No; they're too
fat and jolly. A medieval saint"
II don't believe he has done all those dread
full things" cried Betty. still gazing.
Tom took the photograph from her and
turned to so indoors, the other young men
moving on.
I have to be of before dark, Betty. take
my men into Green river and start from there
with the constable and one or two of his myr-
midons"
Betty followed him into the house. "Do get
good sleeT. dearest" she said. land by the
time you are about again din ner will be ready"
Tom got off duly. cheered and speeded by
his wife and her cook. The latter displayed
unusual energy, asking more questions than
Mrs. Marshall could answer to the burglar
at large and the efforts being made to capture
him. This cook wr- a young woman of twenty
four or 80. Oh type that one walking in the
beaten path Is more apt to find in Bret Harte's
novels than in real life. But life as frontier
poet Is hardly the beaten path. Betty had re-
marked of her hand-maiden that she might
have been brought up anyhow. and come from
anrvhere and done anything. Once, going
Oas suddenly into the kitchen, she discovered
the COOK mounted ON table singing a variety
thcater ditty, with appropriate gestures, to two
other neighboriug cooks and an enlisted xaan
or two. There WIS i racy abandon about this
psEformsncc which suggested to Mrs. Marshall
that :he Singer WIS at home behind the foot
EsLts.
III makes me creep Betty told Tom, '.to
think how she has probably been knocked
about the world Her father was a miner
and she Was brought up in that kind of
s;iHosphere-excitement. false hopes, and dis
appointment"
iarried- I dare ssy." supplemented Tom.
And put bullet through the fellows head.
AID then ',ss taken MP with enc or two others"
':ies. yes. Betty dropped her voice to an
ave-strurk whisper. ''She actually showed
LIE. the photograph Of friend of hers who
she sad vas IN for hTe years-in (such q
Dreadful wsTd1 for bigamy. In prison at
Leayt NV ORTIZ.
why don't YOU get rid of her. cried Tom.
briskiy- "She's besstly cook; 1 know that"
BOs in spite OF her questionable antecedents
the mtstress heart vent out TO the maid with
the SAME instinct which had prompted her at
the eat 10 visit dingy teneinent-houses and
laupeT wards IN hospitals. There was a re-
spolrsiveness, al affectionsteness, about the
COOK To The attraction OF which Betty sue
eu,D5ed- Besides, the girl was pretty. with
slender rounded figure. and brilliantly bright
hazel eyes, fair. pure skin and soft golden
brown hair. These charms increased after she
had lived decent quiet life with the Alarshalls
Tor two or three months, and a certain haggard
loos1 Disappeared.
To be sure she had been little of her head
Tor thc Lass week or so. She had looked in the
Inc:ning az though she had not closed her ewes
III. night before; she had returned to a former
habit. which had yielded to Mrs. Narshall's ex-
postGla' o.ls. OF going about until high noon
her head tied up. so fearfully uncheerful.-
eoI..pisiaed Betty. Moreover, she was peevish
and fretIul. There was altogether an air un-
Eist,lsble to the housekeeper of uncertain
tenure Of once about her, which struck a chill
to Bet.! heart; This young lady was as
welded to present ways as a cat All change
had vague element Of terror for her.
Hence II WAS with sense of relief that she
remarked that her Mary was aroused from her
apathy and indifference by the fact Of Lieut..
com.
munieatve as possible, pleased at having hit
upon subject OF interest. Still she kept re-
curing To the strong impression that Mary
was an odd creature. She had forgotten some-
thing, and went back to the kitchen unexpect-
eddy. There stood Mary in the middle OF the
room. her clenehsd slender fist pressed against
her temples. her bright dark eyes gazing ont
before her with fixed intensity of concentrs-
ton; poised on her small arched feet as though
about to spring. she suggested an alert trapped
creature at bay What an untamed problem
aflcai girl. and what q mixed civilization had
produced her. Meantime all well-balanced
house-keepers will agree that Mrs Marshau
WAS most unfortunate in having such an un-
suitable cook. were she ever 90 devoted TO the
regeneration Of humanity
Dusk was gathering about the post when Mr..
Marshall betook herself to the front door and
looked up and down the line of quarters and
across the parade-ground. and wished for Tom
man came rapidly down the plank walk
paused. and addressed her
Does Mrs. Escadero live here 2"
IL was second before Betty remembered that
that was the elegant name Of her cook" "Yes.
she does"
Can see herr I'm brother of hers~
Betty looked up with pleased interest. A
lamp was lighted near BY at the moment and
brought out the slender features and fair hair
OF her companions striking face, and which
was also strikingly like Mary's. He seemed
quise boy; younger than Mary; or perhaps it
H. IL