The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-10-30

>----s~-~--'--- say there Is one else.
You even confess to liking mo. All Jean, /
believe you love me. but are playing with me
as coquets always have and will play with
honest men,"
The girls eyes flashed Her voice thrilled
with indignation. She seemed about to wrest
herself from his arms.
"And If did love YOU" she said, hurriedly,
3" would not marry you. nor any Army officer.
During my three months here at Bradley /
have seen nothing beyond dancing card play
ing and dinner giving. ! have no patience
with men and women who lead such dawdling
aimess lives. Why, You are mere toy soldiers
and"
"Spare yourself, Miss Mattson, tho trouble of
further explanation. / am answered satisfied.
To all of your charges plead guilty. The life
of an Army officer in times of inaction is not /
confess, a very heroic thing. Our lives are not
our own; they belong to the Government; we
have only to wait and to obey when called
upon. admit also, that have been one of q
band of idiots that has plotted and planned to
render your stay tolerable in bleak frontier
post. Alb ! tho music is done Our waltz is
over. Shall take you to the Colonel2"
Yes, please" The answer was almost in
audible. Even the rapid exercise had not
called a trace of color to the girls check. She
did not again lift her eyes to the hurt, angry
face Of the officer
"0ur next, Miss Mattison," and young Mr..
Rogers intercepted the couple who were look
ing for the Colonel. without word or so
much as n look, Capt. John Vance resigned his
late partner to his own subordinate officer, aud
then turning hastily no walked directly across
tho ball room, entered tho cloak room, and
was seen no moro that night.
While chatting gaiy and carolessly to her
boyish admirer, and losing no werd Of his
rather foolish conversation, Miss Jean Matti-
son was distinctly aware that she had driven
tho most popular bachelor officer from the ball.
the long of ball planned by him, aud
gotten up in honor Of hefself.
This early departure Of their favorite partner
occasoned inquiry among several ladies of the
post.
"What has become of Capt. Vance ?" finally
asked Mrs. Madison OF Jean.
a. How should | know9" with surprised
look
" It is his arm again, most likely" said Col.
Madison, who had overheard both question and
answer. at gives hiue no end of trouble"
lis arm-how- what of that7" 1t was his
sister jean who spoke. There was no interest
In her voice, but her eyes we're full Of eager
ness.
"Why, did he never tell you of bis expert
ence in q blizzard. He was horribly frozen
about nine years ago wasduring ono OF those
COMPOUNDED expeditions against the thieving
Sioux. Vance, only Lieutenant then, bad been
ubthliei LOT BpoGibl fcCaniUilef Win u upEtD
or Is men. They were caught on the open prai-
RE in blizzard and neaess persisted. But for
| his pluck every man would have laid down IN
| the drifts; but Vance laughed at them eheered
and shamed them by turns He gave the men
/ every drop of his whisky, aud made them
/ walk, walk aud Eight the storm all OF the &c
/ miles back 10 camp. Tough experience, that
and now the arm that was so badly frozen Is 8
/ regular barometer. IL Vance has gone home
on that account lookout for breakers within "a
hours."
"A toy soldier toy aoIderw
Jean Mattisou danced aud laughed and firted
/ until after midnight, yet she made several dis
| agreeable speeches 20 her most servie attend
ant aud surprised her sister In. law on reaching
home by declaring that IL was perfectly stupid
affair. Then she rushed away to her own room
and cried herzolf to sleep.
| The morning following the officers ball hat
| been brilliant one; but since noon, when
soft. light wind rose 10 gale and clear SIX )
| suddenly darkened, the mercury bad fallen 4
| 20 degrees below zero, and WAS still hurry inl
down. Fort Bradley, built upon tho western
bank of the Missouri, is shut In to the nortl
aud south by towering bluffs, and oircled OF
the east and south by curve Of that mighty
riger-that treacherous river which, ice bonn(
and snow. crustcd, now traced its meaDdering
by struggling fringe Of bare cottonwood anC
rcd willows.
The storm increased, the parade was de
serted, officers aud men retreated TO their quar-
tiers. From this vantage ground they watched
the progress of the blizzard. and compared il
fury with that Of previous ones, and gravely
speculatod at the danger 10 ranchmen, 10 cattl
and 10 unprotected travellers. No one who saw
only the bare, bleak exterior Of the command
ants quarters would have suspected the warmth
and beauty aud cheerfulness of the interior
Soft carpets rich hangings and pictures, to
| uethEF ~ itD tba Va ho
and finished the furnishings, made ii a veri
table oasis in this desert of leo and snow. Blu
almost anybody who had observed the hand
some young woman tossing aside her work AM
her book every few IA nutes or who walked I
the window from time 10 time only to turi
back with sigh, would have suspected tina
she was watching for some one, and miserabl
that he did not come.
Down over the whlte-capped bluffs, tina
waved away To the horizon like snowy sol
came sweeping gusts of fine light snOw-~sno'
that cut like needles. blinded like grains {
sand aud that choked and bewildered with IL
fury. The snow was everywhere, while th
freezing wind seemed 20 come from all quar-
, tors Mt once; the light flakes wheeled, circle
and danced in whirlwinds. Ii piled itself int
gigantic drifts blocking doorways, GOVERN
windows aud sitting into every unwary crevici
, A storm in which one would think no ma
would venture unless of necessity.
just Il little 70 the lott Oh Iho omcora row,
little To tho right of the traders store and
recty in front of tho river landing, stood
4 sorry looking little box Of a building the off
GERS club room and here on that particula
] evening between tattoo and taps more than ha
0 Of the officers ia the garrison had assemble,
Each gentleman made his neghboT som
sort of excuse for coming out in the storm. On
had cold in the chest another was walking o
a headache, another came for news but no
that they were here, they made the hest of /
Cigars were lighted, conversation Ianguishet
and only the futter OF a new deal, or the clio
of an ivory bali, invaded the smoke ladeT
silence.
by the way" finally remarked Vance, VIII
had been sitting alone and smoking in slenc
! Z" Have you heard the news2"
News news" snorted Maj. Milf, disdair
8 fully. mo you DON'T and he showed q coup
of chips to the center.
q "Trot out your dispatches, my son." roare
Banning good naturally. He had drawn
all ace and made bis pair. But mark you. 4
yarns that have been told over moro than
dozen times"
VERY good, my news can keep" drawle
Vance.
:. "0h 20 on, go on. II you have anythil
!. from Gods country, let's have it,"
. well them" said Vance slowly, with the a
Of a man preparing surprise, Wilton, wi
% went on sick leave is married"
Q "Marriedl"
q The concert was delivered in variety
7. tones. and with an assortment of grimaeC
Question followed question, but astOnishme