The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1890-01-30

at the time with brother officers Of Lieut.
Perry, they were uncertain as yet how
comments on his growing Irritation might
be received. That their eyes should 90
easlonally wander towards the hammock
and then glance with sympathetic sig
niAcance at those Of some fair ally and
intimate was natural enough. But when
Il became presently apparent that Mrs
Belknap was actually christening the
little silken braid that had hung on Ned
Perry'S cap ever since the day Of his ar
Tival-all the while, too, looking shyly
up In his eyes as her fingers worked;
when II was seen that she presently de-
tached It from the button and then, half
hesitatlngly, but evidently In compliance
with his wishes. handed Il to him; when
be was seen to toss It carelesSly-
contemptuOusly-away and then bend
down lower. as though gazing into her
shaded eyes. MrA Lawrence could stand
It no longer.
"Mr Graham" said she, isn't your
friend, Mr.. Perry. something Of AirtT'
"Who2-Ned?' asked Mr.. Graham, In
well feigned amaze and with sudden
glance towards the object Of his inquiry.
"How on earth should l know anything
about IL OF course you do not seek ex-
pert testimony in asking me- he tries, ]
suppose. to adapt himself 10 circum'
stances. But why do you askS'
because see that he has been induc-
ing Mira Belknap to take of that little
tassel on the button Of his cap. He has
worn Il when of duty ever SINCE he
came; and we supposed & was something
he cherished; | know she did"
Graham broke forth in peal Of merry
laughter, but gave no further reply, for
just then the colonel and the doctor left
their chairs, and, saunteriDg over to the
hammock, brought mighty relief to Boil.
KNAPP at the whist table and vexation Of
spirit to his pretty wifa The filtration
was broken at most interesting point,
and Perry, rising suddenly, came over
and Joined Mrs. Lawrence.
II she expected to see him piqued or
annoyed at the interruption and some
what perturbed In manner, she was
greatly mistaken. Nothing could have
been more sunshiny and jovial than the
greeting he gave her. A laughing apol.
ogy to Graham for spelling his tete-a.
tete was accomplished IN q moment, and
then down by her side he sat and plunged
into q merry description Of his expert.
ences 1t dinner, where be had been
placed next to the chaplain's wife on the
one hand, and she had been properly ag.
grieved at his attentions to Mrs. Belknap
on the other.
"You must remember that Mrs. Wells
Is very strict Presbyterian, Mr.. Perry:
and, for that matter, none Of us have
seen q dinner such as the colonel gave US
this evening for ever and ever 90 long
We are quite unused to the ways Of
civilization; whereas you have Just come
from the east-and long leave. Perhaps
1t is the fashion to be all devotion to
ones next door neighbor at dinner"
mot u she be as repellent and Vener.
able as Mrs. Wells, assure you. Why.
l thought she would have been glad to
leave the table when, after having re.
fused sherry and Pontet-Can for up
wards Of an hour, her glass was filled
with champagne when she happened to
be looking the other way"
at Is the first dinner Of the kind she
has ever seen here, Mr.. Perry, and
don't suppose either Mr.. or Mrs. Wells
has been up so late before In years. He
would have enjoyed staying and watch.
ing whist, but she carried him of almost
as soon as we left the table. Our society
has been very dull, you know-only our.
selves at the post all this last year, and
nobody outside Of it."
zone would suppose that with all this
magnificent cattle range there would be
some cOngenial people ranching near
you. Are there none at alp
absolutely nonei There are some
ranches down In the Washita country,
but only one 6ne one near Us; and that
might as well DO on the other side Of the
Atlantic. No one from there ever
comes herei and DR.. Quin Is the only
living soul in the garrison who ever got
within the walls Of that ranch. What
be cav there he positively refuses to tell.
despite all our entreaty."
"YoI don't tell me there's o ranch
with 4 mystery here near RossiterT ex.
claimed Mr.. Perry, with sudden interest.
why, ! do. indecdi Is Il possible
you have been here two whole weeks
and haven't heard Of Dunraven Ranch?"
"rve heard there was such thing;
saw II from distance when out hunting
the other day. But what's the mysteFy7
whats the matter with itT'
THAT'S what We all want to know
and cannot 6ndo Now, there Is an
exploit worthy your energy and best
efforts, Mr.. Perry. There Is q big
wealthy, well stocked ranch, the finest
homestead buildings, we are told, in all
this part Of Texas. They say It Is beau.
hfully furnished-that &c has q fine
library, q grand piano, all manner Of
things indicative Of culture and refine.
ment among its occupants-but the own
er only comes around once or twice o
year, and IL an iceberg Of an English
man. All the people about the ranch
are English. too, and the most repellent,
boorish, discourteous lot Of men you ever
saw. When the Eleventh were here
they did everything they could to DO
civil to them, but not an invitation
would they accept, not one would they
extend; and 50 from that day " this
none Of the officers have had any inter
course with the people at the ranch, and
the soldiers know very little more. oncS
or twice year some very ordinary look.
ing men arrive who are said to be very
distinguished people-in England; but
they remain only . little while, and 60
away a. Suddenly a. they came"
Sand you have never seen any Of
themS~