The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-06-21
PURSUER and PURSUED
A West Point story.
BY CLARA LOUISE Burn HAM.

BY CLARA LOUISE BURnHAM
They were standing in the museum on
the ground floor of the academic building
ut West Point.when it was discovered that
the conversation, they hardly knew how,
had veered from shells to sentiment, from
war to love. There were Colonel Mac
kenze, professor in the academy; Lieu
tenant Cary, "a tactical officer, and with
them two ladies, mother and daughter,
guests at the hotel for the gay graduation
season. Colonel Mackenzie assisted by
the lieutenant had been showing the
lcdies about the post. and. wandering in
through the gymnasium TO the museum,
the professor paused beside Calling gun
10 emphasize his remark upon subject so
foreign TO the surroundings.
You may convince yourself Of il simply
by observation" he announced, the kind
eyes under his heavy brows, twinkling
but earnest ''In affairs OF love it is the
woman who chooses. Every nice girl has
lot of admirers. They gather about her
like bees about flower She chooses one,
Whizzl The other bees go off somewhere
\ else. Plenty Of flowers; eh, Miss Bruce ?''
asked the colonel, cheerfully, smiling at
the young lady, who caught his eye as her
own roved from one to another of the war
like objects by which she was surrounded.
"Oh, yes" she returned, apparently
quite unembarrassed by the fact of listen
ing TO the colonels views in company
with the young officer who stood by, seri-
ously thoughtful. FLOWERS are especially
plenty in West Point just now"
There are plenty of bees, too" added
Mrs. Bruce, raising her eyeglass to inspect
hideous effigied warrior who stood near
her, fun panoplied for the fray. "Busy
bees of all sorts. Not drone in the hive.
l suppose, Mr. Cary2''
The young man stirred from his thought
full attitude. ut isnot healthful place
for drones. Do you care to see the section
room up stairs, Mrs. Bruce?"
''0h. yes; where the poor fellows re-
cite, returned the lady in that tone of
COMMUNICATION usually adopted by women
who ever have had or ever expect to have
n relative among the cadets. Mrs. Bruce
belonged to the latter class and was full of
hope and fear concerning her only son.
Yes, indeed, | want to see where you
teach the young idea how to shoot"
"oh, that is done outside on the plain, ("
remarked Colonel Mackenzie, twinkling
again at Miss Bruce.
They assembled the old stairs and entered
one of the recitation rooms
i've had that young man standing up
here TO recite, with his little fingers at the
seams of his trousers" observed Colonel
Mackenzie with wave of his hand toward
his subordinate.
The lieutenant smiled "And dare saw
stood up here yourself in the same attitude
for the same purpose, he remarked.
"How odd, said Miss Bruce regarding
the professors stout military figure and
gray head.
20, yes. Other things in this fast coun-
try of ours are ever changing, but West
Point goes on forever the same for the best
OF reasons, it could not be improved
upon" said Colonel Mackenzie with de-
vout sincerity. "Come up little higher.
think you viii like TO see the drawings. +"
When the latter exhibition had been
duly examined and admired, the quartetta
descended to the ground floor and came.
out again into the sunshine. The officers
escorted the ladies to the hotel, and at the
door Mrs. Bruce voiced her thanks for
their attention.
II am sure the morning has been 4 lib
eral education, Colonel Mackenzie You
have not only shown us the mechanics o
light and sound, but have explained TO US
the workings of our own emotions as We
have never known them"
"Ah, you are laughing ut me, madam.
You will not admit that You are con.
vinced'
And mamma is not more easily silenced
than other women remarked Miss Bruce
$50 advise You not 70 argue with her"
''Neyer mind. Wait till | write nv
novel. III do it vet" said Colonel Mack.
enzie with a firm nod. The woman
chooses the man. and not the man the
woman. | will show that it's so.
"Why. of course, " returned Mrs Bruce
half laughing. III girl receives propoS
mis- from several men she chooses the one
who pleases her best
THAT is not what mean, was the com
promising reply. "A girl worth havins
does not receive proposals from several
men"
Wait. wait. colonel You do not know
what sensitive feelings you may be tramp
ling upon"
''No. | am entirely impersonal. Theories
are impersonal, you know. girl worth
having usually receives proposal from 8
,Gan because she has already chosen him
Watch and see. Just observe and see
Good-by." The coloneps face beamec
with smiling good nature as he lifted hi:
cap
Cary removed his. "Will you be read,
hv 1902" he said TO the younger lady
sYour daughter, Mrs. Bruce, wishes L
make acquaintance with some Of the wild
flowers about here. | can Of least promise
her some very pretty laurel"
"a nice way for young soldier 10 VIII
his laurels." remarked the colonel. "B,
careful. Miss Bruce, if you lure him off Oh,
post today you may get him arrested, " ant
the speaker waved his hand toward III,
accoutrements which Cary wore as offices
of the day.
They made their adieux once more, anC
the lieutenant pared from his senior out
side the hedge, and took his way down IN,