The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-08-30

ton, he was distanced in the struggle al
most from the start He could no longer
appear at his best. but sulked whenever
Crossaway was present, and that was al
most continually.
Mrs. Vermilye at first seemed disposed
to struggle against this new influence and
to countenance Upton, but it was of no
use. Crossaway laughed and talked Tip
ton down until the latter was almost
beside himself with vexation and despair.
Gradually and with burning heart and
soul filled with bitterness against his
former friend, he was driven from the
field by the victorious Crossaway. The
inevitable consequences of such a rivalry
followed. Upton broke off all commtlni-
cation with Crossaway, though the latter
strove to keep on good terms with him.
In fact, one of the extraordinary things
about the captain was his imperturbable
good humor.
Despite his keen competition for Mrs
Nermlye's favor. he ever treated Upton
with consideration and made many
friendly advances to him. These Upton
put down in his account against Cross
away as impudent, bare-faced, deceitful
At length things reached crisis. Mrs.
Vermilye openly cast Upton off, and
showed herself completely under the in
fuence of his rival. This determined
Upton, and he hung moodiIy about quar-
tiers waiting for chance for revenge A
lot u uudTrel soon occurred.
The officers of the Slashers were to give
a dinner at the Halifax hotel to one of
their comrades who was going home to
England TO be married. 1t was to be
| highly convivlal affair, and each officer
was TO pledge the would-be Benedict in a
bumper OF champagne and make a con-
| gratulatory speech.
The evening of tie dinner all the young
| officers were in high spirits except Tipton,
| who sulked and would do nothing to help
the thing along, except to pay his quota.
! The colonel presided, and the dinner went
| of with great eclat. After a number of
toasts had been drunk. the colonel and
major took their overcoats and went home.
but the drinking and speech-making went
on. Each Of the officers had to answers in
short speech as his health was drunk.
! Upton had imbibed freely, tossing OFF
| glass after glass in fierce, reckless man
ner, ana growing noiser every minute. At
/ length 1t came Crossaway's turn 10 have
his health drank. Every one drank it
standing, as usual, except Upton, who
! turned his glass down.
Hang IL. Tip, don't be a fool" whis-
! pered Arlington, who sat on Tipton's
right, I'LL up and drink Jacks health like
/ man."
But Upton never budged He stared
dehantly OF Crossaway over his uptsrned
| glass. The latter began his speech.
The officers of the Siashers had been
i true to one another through thick and
! thin, and would, please God, continue Ia
| be So" Crossaway was saying when "You
he!' was suddenly shouted from the other
end of the table.
Ali eyes were instantly turned on Tin
ton, who was regarding the speaker with
| q flushed face and an angry stare
! shame. shame" was heard around the
board.
! THE devil. Tip" muttered Addington
! nudging the lieutenant in the ribs, cant
| You keep your Quarrels out of the mess
/ shut up. why don you, and let Jack I'm
! ish his speech 2"
! Crossaway's cheek turned pale and he
! paused for few minutes and then went
! quietly on 10 conclusion. But Tipton's
| angry interruption cast a damper over ali
/ As the party broke M Upton walked over
! 10 his former friend, who was putting on
! his overcoat.
| Il will meet you, Captain Crossawav. ="
! ne said, any time or anywhere that NAV
| suit your convenience. 1t is not necessary
/ 10 waste words; we understand one an
| other. You may select what weapons YOU
| please"
Crossaway looked at him earnestly for a
! moment or two, then bowed colby and
/ turned on his heel.
The fellow is a coward A" said linton
| loud enough for the captain to hear. Al
| the last word the latter wheeled half roupd
and couple of officers started forward TO
| prevent scrimmage. but Crossawav smiled
family, turned again and walked quietly
/ away.
| Blast you, Tip. it's q wonder Jack
| didn't put his sword through you for
! that, grunted Melville. one of the inter
| fering officers; you know blamed well
! that Crossaway is no coward, and WHY do
/ you try 10 provoke himP If il came IN
! cold steel you would be but baby in his
hands"
/ Hold your tongue" retorted linton.
( angrlly, and. deignlng no further words.
I went of to his quarters
The news OF the quarrel got abroad. and
/ was freely commented on. The opinion of
| most Of the officers was against Crossa
/ way, though they blamed Upton for his
I Incorporate language. But they excused
| him IN their hearts, on the ground that the
| proyocation had been great and that fin
ton had drunk too much wine. as had most
OF them. To steal fellows girl, they ar