Morris tribune., 1895-10-23

/ nb6aKS ana the yOutuIul trooper anu
the scout soon allowed the light and
cheerful tone of banter in which they
had at first INDUCED to gradually sub
side, for the sight of their officers face
had depressing effect. AT last the lat
ter could eat no more, and rising from
the table left the room to have look
at the horses in the stable
A stable was to Jamie what draw
ing room would have been to one of his
more civilized brother officers. He felt
literally at home in the stable; the abb
sence of conventionality there and some
thing in its very odor suggested congen
ial environment. He was in the habit
Of spending many hours, when he could
manage it, with straw in his mouth,
surveying the equine race. He felt per-
fectly at ease in the company of horses.
On the occasion referred to, when he
had left the room, Dick Townley the pri
vate laid down his knife and fork and
for few moments INDUCED in quiet
laugh. The sergeant asked him what
was amusing him.
II wonder when he's i'll the mess
room at Regina, 2 said the youth, refer
ring to his departed superior, IF he
eats with his knife as he does here, dips
his fingers into the saltcellars and 9th
erwise does so many extraordinary
things? But I have forgotten-he is a
married man, so don't suppose he will
often honor the mess with his presence. "
You bet your boots, " chimed in the
little scout, who prided himself upon
his superior manners. When l down
in Regina was once, the waiter in the
officers mess did in confidence commu-
nicate to me that on one occasion when
monsieur was dining in the mess-the
commissioners and number of guests
were there-he spilled his potage all
over the table, used his fingers la four
chette, and when those-fnger glasses,
believe it is you will call them, were
brought in he did stare upon them, and
asked if there was going to be a chris
tening match Mon Dieu! These are
pancakes magnifque I"
"Oh, come now, you fellows, = said
the sergeant, who, however, could not
conceal a smile, 'your talk is of a high
~ reasonable nature. Why can't you
leave your superior officer alone2 By
the way, we must not allow those wom-
en- to send in food like this to us. It
makes me feel horribly ashamed when
I think of their kindness, considering
our errand here; but, as the boss won't
think of thanking them, | shall go in
and do SO myself later on. wonder if
we could annex a crosscut saw some
where I dom believe in burning other
people firewood for nothing, but ] no.
ticed an clubhouse at the back Perhaps
we could get a few logs into it and cut
up sufficient wood for the whole lot of
US. In the meantime I'm going out to
look after their cattle in the corral
wonder if they have any water in their
buckets in the next room. You might
just go in and see, Pierre wonder
which of tie women made these pan
cakes? They are superb.
Here Dick Townley said, without
looking up, however: lyon needn't
bother, Pierre l filled their buckets
some little time ago. =
Indeed That was thoughtful Of
you, said the sergeant, somewhat sur
prised, and with an impenetrable smile.
why, what are you grinning at,
Yorker pursued the irreverent young
ster, with net little annoyance show
ing in his voice. ''Can t fellow carry
a bucket or two Of water for a woman
without you seeing something funny in
it?'
sob, certainly, certainly; keep your
coat on, my boy, = was the answer, still
with that odd smile. Il might have
known that some one would be gallant
enough to render service in that direc-
tion. But you haven't told me what
you think of Mile. St. Denis yet, Dick.
Don't you think girl is bound to vege-
ta1e in such a placer
Now, Dick Townley had no particu
lar desire to discuss the merits of this
girl with his comrade He had somehow
not thought the latter had sufficient in
terest in the fair sex to converse intelli- |
gently on such momentous subject.
His first impression, when he had seen
Marie st. Denis, had been one of sur
prise and admiration at discovering such |
a rara avis in such an unlikely place.
Certainly he had heard rumors regard
ing her good looks, but had ascribed
them to the usual delusive talk peculiar |
to mounted policemen, who in their iso- I
lated position, by law of nature, take
every bird TO be a jay and the plainest
featured woman the personification of
female loveliness. Moreover, after the,
to him, f1attering speech he had over
heard the girl give ,utterance to, he had
resolved to cultivate her acquaintance
Being only human, and not wanting in
worldly wisdom, he had refrained from
openly expressing his admiration Of her,
In case his superior might take it into
his head to step IN before him and spoil
a projected and agreeable Irritation. It
was, therefore, with not little surprise
he heard his usually reticent comrade
ask him for his opinion of the girl. The
ingenious youth felt fattered and re-
piled with an air Of superior knowledge
Of the subject in question:
"Well, Vorke, he said, ''since you've
asked me for my opinion I'll give it