The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-06-21
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Cary came IN ana threw nlInSeu Oii the
foot Of his friends bed. Il shall never
be chosen, Pm afraid" he said, with frank
Observation-Disclosures. Women do not like
me. 1t is perfectly evident"
i'0h, go way, old fellow. l need glasses
and you don't but can see more with my
eyes than you with yours. You should
have seen the rear elevation OF Miss
Lahin's head as she gazed up into your
face little while ago."
THAT girl, said Cary, Strengthening up
and speaking in a lowered, confidential
tone, that girl, Thornton, isn't right in
her head"
The second lieutenant burst into loud
laugh.
Thornton rolled over in bed.
Hold your noise. You'll disturb the
people down stairs. There's nothing TO
laugh at, tell you. She is of. I'm sure
of it.
81 know. / understand. She has been
going for you all the evening. Just what
you have been yearning and painting and
signing for for thirty years, and now look
at your black ingratituder
"You don't understand" said Cary, tes-
tily, "and what is more. you haven't the
ability to-"
"No,gI don't believe / have" gurgled
Thornton, as his friend closed the door be-
hind him with an expenditure of nervous
energy unbeftting philosopher.
Cary found his thoughts unpleasant
companions on the long walk he had yet
to take that night. from end TO end of the
post to inspect the guardhouses; and he
woke next morning in a dissatisfied
frame of mind. He attended the gradual
ing exercises and looked on at the whole
in gloomy and cynical spirit. 1t was
nearly ten years since he had sat among
his class under similar circumstances.
III frn &c ha~ t..H nod
been then. 1t seemed to him now that he
had been getting ready to live ever since.
1t was of no use to harbor false and vague
expectations any longer.
"This is life, !" he thought. 81 am living
now as truly as l ever shall, and he found
himself gazing at Mis- Bruce's handsome
and expressive face, lighted with interest
in the ceremonies that were taking place.
He could not regard her, however, with
out running the risk of appearing to gaze
at Miss Latin, who was seated beside her.
That young woman, perfectly dressed,
even distinguished in her appearance,
gave him shudder by the eagerness of
her recognition. He had the walk with
her in prospect for the afternoon. He even
scowled as his eye fell upon Colonel Mac
kenzie's benevolent countenance. He
wished he had never heard that gentle
mans precious theories.
Miss Latin was not to be envied her
cavalier that day, yet, as Cary was habitu-
ally silent and grave, she did not appar-
emily feel any lack. The necessity for ex-
ertion in the locality he had maliciously
energies, and as they returned, rich in
fowery spoils, the lieutenant became less
taciturn in proportion to their approach to
the hotel. She parted from him in undi-
minished spirits, but he devoutly believed,
so fatigued that she would not propose
another walk among the highlands. When
she had disappeared within the house
Cary did not leave the hotel at once At
all times of day he liked the view up the
river, and never wearied of watching the
varied craft that piled up and down. He
strobe toward the back of the building,
straight to the piazza rail- He knew those
hills and their varying expressions as he
soothing to him now than any friends
face could be.
A little motion made him turn, and he
saw that there was woman sitting in the
corner of the piazza. Her head and
shoulders were concealed by black and
white parasol which Cary knew well. He
had held 1T over her on several occasions.
He denounced the fate which had made
him come to the spot now, and determined
to withdraw without disturbing the soli-
tary figure. Turning on his heel he took
two of his long steps. but was arrested at
the third, because the girl under the para
sol said, "Oh.''
Good afternoon, Miss Bruce" Cary
lifted his cap and paused because she met
his eyes and looked glad to see him.
Rather sunny for reading, isn't it?'
"Not under my parasol, and do dislike
to waste time in the house this weather,
don't your"
Eyes. You could find more shade on
Trophy point"
"And more cadets, continued the lieu
tenant rather uncivilly.
Still she smiled upon him. envy friends
are all gone, you know" she said sweetlv.
what good time they are probably hay
ing at this moment"
Did they leave you string of boll-but-
tons?" asked Cary.
Miss Bruce waxed more gracious as his
irritation became more manifest. 1t was
something new to see her theorizing. alb
stracted friend show such human weak
ness.
might you not feel better natured sit
ting DOWN." she asked.
! She knew the lieutenant had just re-
turned from walk with her cousin. and
was not displeased that he did not appear
to have enjoyed himself. Miss Lafin's in
temperate expressions of admiration for
him, in the privacy of the girls own apart
ment, had produced their effect on Miss
Bruce. They had made her resentful in
dlgnant to the core, coming as they did
at moment when she was suffering from
remorse at her own ill-treatment of him,
lou should not speak slightly of those
young men," she said gently, as Cary
rather reluctantly approached and took a
chair. You were their favorite instruc-
tor"
II didn't know that cadet ever had +,
favorite tactical officer Wei none in NV
time, !" returned Cary with a short laugh.
What an evil-disposed class YOURS must
have been," said the young lady. twirIiny
her parasol as it tested on her shoulder.
But that was long ago. Human nature
has improved since then, no doubt"
Miss Bruce colored at this proof that
her thrust was not forgotten. Cary SWING
an arm over the back of his cha;r onS
altered his position SO that his ewes Looked
squarely into hers.
Miss Fanny" he began with deter
mined seriousness, 81 have been wanting
TO ask you what you think of the truth of
those theories that Colonel Mackenzie Dro.
pounded to US yesterday morning?0
The girl had nearly asked. what
theories ~ but she perceived in flash that
not enough time would be gained to com
pensate her for the Stiffness involved in the
obvious evasion.
They were quite interesting" she re-
turned, after an imperceptible pause.
What is your opinion as to their truth ?
l suppose you will have no objection 10
telling me?'' ~
On, none at ali, she returned. hang.
ing out gay crimson flag on the darl
fairness of her cheeks, but Speaking airiIv
quite right" ''-'e -
The lieutenant looked scrutinizinelv