The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-06-21

| his quarters He was hailed by young
| man who had run down the steps OF the
| rear entrance 70 the library, and now
| crossed the street.
| swell, I've made up my mind" an
nounced the new conner, as he fell into
/ step with his friend. the red stripe upon
| his fanny blue making gay contrast to
| Cary's yellow decoration.
about what. Thornton?
ssGoing across the water"
| 81. on have decided TO go?''
Eyes, and only wish you could come.
| too" said the artillery officer, clapping a
hand on the others shoulder Whats
up7 / fancied you were looking rather
| glum minute ago."
"oh not at All; was thinking of-of
Thornton laughed. "And quite enough,
apparently" he said. There was strong
friendship between the two men. Cary
had been a third-class man in the academy
when Thornton was as dismally homesick
| a "plebe" as ever walked, thumbs out,
across the plain. Cary. contrary to the
usual custom, had befriended him on one
or two occasions, when the slight kindness
had sunk deep into the sore heart of the
17-year-old boy, making him the Older
mans friend for life. They happened to
be thrown together in this West Point de-
tail, and to Thornton's qualification even
20 have quarters in the same house, so
that opportunities for cultivating their in
timacy were plenty.
1t was, however. no tribute to this init
macy that Cary declared so frankly now
the delicate subject of his thought He
was man of logical, studious turn of
ton knew, as his friend stared grayely be-
fore him, that he would have owned the
cause of his preoccupation quite as will
lingly to any other listener.
Il should advise you to think about
something else, them" said Thornton,
lightly, Something more in your line"
at is a very important subject, and one
that ought to be in my line-in the line of
all men, returned Cary, seriously.
"And quite time for you, should say"
remarked the other. "Youwill never see
30 again."
'sThat is what was thinking Of A man
should be married by the time he is 80"
Provided he has at least one bar in his
shoulder strap" added the second lieuten-
ant, dolorously, otherwise it is ques-
tionable experiment"
well. have the bar, and / have made
some lucky investments" said Cary,
equally, .yet am not married, nor likely
TO be, and at last l understand why. /
have not been chosen"
countenance. What? You have not
been what?''
"Chosen. Colonel Mackenzie has been
propounding theories this morning which
are new to me, and | am inclined to think
he is right. Hesays the man does not
choose the woman, but vice versa"
"He must have had a peculiar experience
then. Did Mrs. Mackenzie propose to
hIm?"
Cary received the fiippant question with
gravity. 81 don't know but if she did
not admit she acted wisely. Theirs is one
of the. most harmonious homes / ever
entered"
their quarters, and entering the gate
assembled thessteps and seated themselves
in chairs ON the piazza amid bower of
honeysuckle which clambered over the
porch and to the second story of the house.
Isn't it something new for the professor
to be dabbling in the mysteries of the
tender passion 2" asked thornton, rocking
back in his chair.
sit is a subject worthy the attention
and best thought of a scholarly mind like
his. The working of the emotions, the
action of the positive and negative cur
rents i'll the sensibilities of men and
women are, dare say, discoverable like
other scientific facts. / have great conf
dence in conclusions arrived at by man
like Colonel Mackenzie
"All right, Cary" said his friend, break
ing spray of honeysuckle, II won't re-
greet any longer that you cannot GO
abroad with me. You won't find a place
on the footstool where such variety of
maidens can have an opportunity to look
you over and examine your good points as
right here at the post. If / come back the
last of August and find you still unchosen.
shall set you down as a pretty bad lots
His companions contagious chuckle pro-
voked Cary to a calm smile as he twisted
his moustache and looked into space.
almost noon" he said, suddenly ris-
ing. Il must do some writing before
luncheon, for | am going to walk with
Miss Bruce before parade"
AT her invitation, trust. Don't tell
me you forgot the coyness becoming your
sex. and invited her."
al hadn't heard Colonel Mackenzie's
theories then. But in any case it is en-
tirely compatible with his ideas that |
should ask young lady to go to walk with
n