New Ulm review., 1893-01-25
CHILD.FRIEND.

It caused g. good deal of wonder
smong the officers OF Jack Amyatt's
regiment when he suddenly loomed
put in new character, that of lit
srary man.
The Red Horse was q very popular
regiment i'm the service, and Jack
Amyatt was, as indeed he had been
sver since he joined, one of it's most
popular officers. Through the various
grades ofcornet, lieutenant and cap
tain, he had made no enemies, while
he had gathered many friends. He
was essentially a good all-round man,
popular with his men, who would have
followed him into the jaws of death
and back again, and good at sport Of
any and every kind. .5~.... .
"What a fuss you make about Ma
jor Amyatt," cried fair beauty one
lay to one OF the youngsters, who
had been extolling his accomplish
ments.
"Oh, the majors such an out and
but good sort, returned the lad, blush
ing fine scarlet all over his hand
some face at thus being caught at
hero worship.
us he?" responded the lady, who
tried every fascinating art in her
power on Amyatt, but without avail.
What does he do to WING him so
much adulation!'
II don't know about adulation,"
said the lad rather curtly. "But I
know he is the best soldier l ever
knew, and the most popular. Why,
the regiment would follow him to the
| dew. to the end of the world, that
ls," correcting himself hastily. "He's
good, that is, among the best OF any
sport you like to mention, and he's
the best army writer there is: in spite
Of the shoals ofwomen who have tried
their hand at putting us on paper, and
only succeeded in making their soldiers
!ook like bagmen out for a holiday in
| blazer and pair of tennis-shoes."
The beauty drew herself up with a
little more dignity than she usually
| displayed. I'D ear me, Mr.. Arlington,
you are severe almost as severe as
Major Amyatt looks when he goes 30
| ball, and stands regarding us frivo-
lous and faulty women as stiff and
straight as if he had swallowed his
ramrod as we'll as bringing the other
parts of his uniform with him."
1t was on the tip of young Arling-
toms tongue to remind the beauty
that a ramrod is not part OF caval-
~ officers equipment, but, as he had
done a. minute or so before, he re-
membered his manners in time and
let the remark pass without further
notice.
"Well, I don't think the major
cares much about ladies'" he ad-
mitted.
Pm sure they don't care much
about him." returned the beauty
sharply.
He wondered at the tartness OF her
tone, if that was indeed the case. but
as she was beauty, and somewhat
Of q power III the neighborhood of the
station at which they were quartered,
he did not want to offend her more
than was necessary in taking up the
cudgels in his majors defence. II
never heard him say word against a
woman in my life, ," he said, eagerly,
''never. Only, he don't seem to be
very keen on dancing and afternoon
teas, and so on. By the way, Miss
Vane, will you come and have cup
of tea or anything?"
The beauty thought she would have
an ice, and took the lads arm with
alecrity; glad perhaps, to get away
| from the subject of a man who had
remained blind and deaf to the at
fractions and fascinations, literally
set forth for his benefit from time to
time, OF the beauty OF the county.
| The name Of major was not mention
ed again, but all the same, the CONVEX
sation had set young Arlington think
ing about it.
II say" he said, that evening to
| Moore, the senior subaltern, sis
Amyatt what you'd call a woman
| hater?"
"Not bit OF it," returned Moore,
promptly; II don't believe he thinks
i enough about 'em to hate them"
"But that's sailing pretty near the
wind, eh!' inquired Arlington, laugh
| ing. ".
"ND, I don't think so. Aymatt
doesn't dare GO out to tea much; but
then he has plenty else to do. TO me
he never seems to think of getting
married; but then he's only six-and.
thirty, and what fellow in: his senses
would think of getting married before
that7" -
IA good many do" Arlington ven
tured to say. He felt guilty that his
thrust had gone home, for he at twen-
ty-two had thought fondly of the
marriage state more than once; for
the matter of that, indeed, he had
thought of it many a time and oft.
eyes, q good many do,", responded
Moore who had never known what it
was to feel q qualm at his heart such
as threatened to RUIN all his peace OF
mind. land q good aany fellows wisla
they'd let it alone"
'.Well, I'm not altogether SO. sure
about that" returned Arlington, who
in spite Of his modest air, was as well
able to stick to his own opinions :as
any man in the regiment.
Now this conversation no more en-
tlghtened him as to the state of the