The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-10-06
PART I.

HASKELL lieutenant of cavalry AMI sta
toned at "a territorial post. Had he
planned a vacation on his pay as one
OF Uncle Sans officers he might possi-
bly, have taken in Chicago for n week.
but this trip had come 20 him through
the kindness Of relative, and his three
months leave had been enjoyed 20 the
utmost. lie was now on his way back
10 his post and duty, and one afternoon
ms the train descended the eastern slope
of the Rocky MOUNTAINS he received
card at the hands of car porter with
the added message:
"Gam'len would like TO see yo' in de
next cah, sab. an right away, sah."
John Livingstone" That was the
namc on the card. and il was not
strange one 10 the officer. He had met
the Lyingstones two months previous
ly IN the Yosemite. He had encountered
them at intervals since. Indeed, he
had made II his business TO run across
them as often as possible. The Living
stones were father and daugi ter-thc
most Englishy sort of nn Englishman-
she the sweetest. oveliest girl the bach
cIor officer had ever the .oncr 10 cast
his eyes upon. He had planned TO be
introduced and had brought II about.
The fother was bluff and brusque, as
most Enrlisnmen are, and after three
or four Occidental" meetings he was
also suspicious. The girl Ninette was
naive, ingenuous, open hearted. There
were signs that she even liked the lieu
tenant. Father and daughter were GO
ing east on the trrin which was bear-
ing him back 90 the fort anlorg the
foothills. lie had planned it so, and
SO il was.
"Sit down. Mr.. Haskell--sit down."
said the Englishman as the officer en-
tered the special ear in which the for
eigpers WIS travelling. II sent for you
TO bave a little chat. You are an officer
in the army?"
The lieutenant bowed.
II am travelling over the country for
pleasure--traveling with my daughter.
din not looking to invest any money
in the United States. and my daughter
will marry in England, If at ali. hope
make it plain TO you!"
''You-you wish TO warn me against
falling in lcro with your daughterl"
replied the officer.
"Eyactly. my boy-exncuy. Gnds,
sir but like to meet n man who can
see through hole in wall. Handsome
girl--nice girl-but IL ends right there
for YOU She is as good as engnged TO
a capital good fellow at home. I'm talk
ing to you straight. Hope you haven't
been hit too hard, fer rather Ike you
rs a,n officer and man. DO you under
etand?"
"Ifave you seen any vidence that ]
II love your daughtery' asked the leu
tenant as he sat mp very stiflly.
"plenty of them. my boy!" laughed
tho father. "You have displayed good
sense, however. Indeed, you have act
ed the part of n gentleman, and that is
why I've esent for you. Yes, you have been
smittcn, and / don't mind telling you
that Ninette has been more or less hit;
but guess no farther. She is my only
child. Her pin money for u month
equals your salary for n year, and /
don't want an American for son-in.
law. Nothing special against 'em, you
know, but just won't have 1t. Am
plain?"
"very plain, sir"
"That's the best way in these things.
IF you were one Of the milllonaires CT
New York. instead of a poor army OFF,
Ger, wouldn't have IL. What can't be
won't be. Be philosopher, my boy.
Have a glass of wine?"
"Thanks--no."
"Feel little sore, but don'S blame
L., a,xI
thank me for my bluntness. You want
to say good-by to Ninette, of course,
ard I've no objections, only-only-"
"You have done me the honor 10 call
me a gentleman!" finished Haskell.
"Certainly-certainly and I'll trust
YOU. Be glad TO have you come in be-
fore you get off. Nothing against you
rs an officer and a man, you knowl
It's just that the girl is as good as en-
gagged TO a capital good fellow, you
know, and don't want an American for
son-in-law Going? Well. don't
mean TO hurt your feelings. My way is
the plain way. and IL saves any mis-
takes. Shall always remember you as
an officer and gentleman"
Lieut.. Haskell left the car feeling
mad, hurt and chagrined. He had still
another feeling-love for the daughter
whose father had 50 bluntly given him
the right-about-face. An hour before
he had not quite known his own heart.
Now Nc was sure that he loved. and the
fathers admission that he was not to-
teily indifferent TO her gave him new
hopes. When n man has been turned
down" in a matter of this kind. however.
his pride is called TO the front, and as
the officer resumed his seat in his own
car his mood WIS not a pleasant ono.
There was ample food for reflection as
the hours passed, and IL was in q me-
chanical sort Of way that he rose up
and left the car as evening came and
the train halted for few minutes at q
station whore refreshments could be
procurcd. He had lust bep1in 10 sin