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

He walked back TO the hotel by her
mothers side, and Thornton followed with
| the two girls. Mrs Bruce had evidently
| forgotten her annoyance if she ever had
any. and talked with absorbed interest OF
| her boys chances for getting into the in
| stitution which she both feared and adj
| mired.
The graduation ball that evening was,
as usual, large and gay affair. Dancing
was enjoyed under difficulties owing to the
number present, but the scene was bril-
liant one to the chaperons and officers who
| lined the walls and watched the promenad-
ing or whirling couples.
What lot of pretty girls, said Mrs.
Bruce TO Cary, who stood beside her.
Eyes, and we unfortunates may only
look at them, )" returned Cary with smile,
as Miss Bruce, in W hite and gold, passed
on the arm of the tall cadet adjutant.
This is the night that the cadets are in
their glory and the officers simply no ac-
count at all"
What trim, upright, attractive fellows
they are, said Mrs. Bruce, scanning the
military gray and white figures admir-
ingly, and looking after her daughter with
an agreeable certainty that no girl present
outshone her.
THE cadets2 Yes" said Thornton, who
stood on her other side, land what a nice
place West Point would be without them!"
Mrs. Bruce laughed. 81 have noticed
they get in the way of you young officers
sometimes. Poor things. l should not
think you would grudge them the little
freedom they have at this time of year.
Good evening, Colonel Mackenzie, y as the
genial professor approached.
"How do you do, Mrs. Bruce2 All,
Cary, Thornton" said the colonel, greet
ing the lieutenants. "Well, this is para
disc for these young people, eh?" and the
speaker cast his glance over the restless
mass OF humanity, two individuals of
which were his own daughters.
Eyes, indeed; quite an object lesson,
colonel, returned the lady. Unlimited
flowers, unlimited bees"
Eyes, oh, yes" said the officer, laugh
ing at this reference to mis- impromptu
figure of speech; ''and depend upon it,
madam, there is choosing going on
Thornton, who was looking interested
but mystified, suddenly remembered what
he had heard of the professors theories,
and smiled at Cary
Choosing going on, and we're not in
1t, he remarked, soto voce.
II should hope there was very little
choosing taking place in this company,
remarked Mrs. Bruce dryly. These
cadets are very ornamental, but like all
ornaments a matter of luxury"
well said, Mrs. Bruce" said Thornton.
Come up to one of our hops next winter"
shell see nothing ornamental there,
suppose you mean" said Cary, and just
then his eye was caught by Miss Latin,
who beamed upon him with an impressive
bow as she approached with her partner.
She was dressed in white and looked
blooming. Her plump arms and neck
cleaned in the gaslight, and her face was
flushed from heat and exertion.
Il am going to sit with you, Aunt
Frances, until the next dance" she said
with a parting bow to her partner. "Oh,
thank YOU, Mr.. Cary" as the lieutenant
placed chair for her. at is SO warm
But hope you are enjoying YOURSELF"
he returned.
sob, yes. dare say these boys do not
bore me more than l bore them"
1t passed through Cary's mind that the
young woman must be rather a heavy
weight as dancer, so his next remark was
"Thorton and are looking on at the
gayety enviously."
"And some of US are looking at you
coyetously," responded Miss Latin, using
her eyes effectively.
1T is very kind of you to soothe our feel
lngs, said the lieutenant, after moments
pause.
How gay it must be here all summer.
Three hops week, one of the cadets told
me. Surely you dance at those?"
Occasionally; those of US who remain
here. Many of the officers spend their va
cations elsewhere, you know"
All! Are you going away this summer,
"No. get my vacation at another time
of the year"
''Oh, wish could stay through June.
We might do so, only that Gerald doesn't
wish his mother to witness his sufferings.
Every man 1 have danced with so far
seems to expect to have hand in drilling
the plebes. L have warned them that a
cousin of mine is coming, and that they
are to be gentle with him."
Cary smiled significantly. "Ifyou really
wish well to your cousin, Miss Latin. let
me advise you not to say much about him
to the cadets"
''Why?" asked the girl, wonderingly.
"Oh, well, you'll be apt to overreach
yourself, that is ALL Better not herald him
| in any way"
81 only told them that he was perfectly
lovely, and wouldn't have him hazed for
| the world"
The officer laughed, lazily. "Poor fell
low, he remarked. pulling his moustache.
"Oh, dear. hope 1 haven't done any
eyes appealingly; but Cary was not
| called upon to answer, for at this juncture
| Miss Latiin's recent partner approached
| with the cadet whose name stood next on
| her card, and she rose and took the young
| fellows offered arm.
"You must be thinking up something
| very comforting to say to me when / come
| back" she said over her fair shoulder to
| Cary as she moved away.
Her departure was slight relief to him.
| He found himself once more at liberty to
| search in the crowd for the small, dark,
| well-carried head whose whereabouts he
| had known every moment up to the time
| OF Miss Lat1in's appearance. He could
| not ind 1t for some time, although he
| looked carefully about, here and there.
81 don't see Fanny" said Mrs. Bruce,
| who had been talking busily to Thornton.
Where is she, Mr.. Cary? You are tall
| enough to see over the heads of all these
people"
He continued his search avowedly now.
"There-there she is, just going out of
! doors" he said, espying the white and
| yellow gown as it disappeared through the
| open doorway, escorted by cadet captain
THE foolish child. She is very i'm
| prudent. 1t is not at all warm tonight out
| of doors"
1t certainly was, indoors. To Cary it
| seemed that the temperature had risen
suddenly thirty degrees. He was astounded
| to find that it had made his heart leap to
see Miss Bruce leaving the hall and there
| could be no doubt that he was glowing,
| uncomfortable, annoyed, displeased.
'Of all the astonishing things l ever
| knew in my life this is the most astonish-
| ing" he SAID to himself, frowning and fur