The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1899-08-17

disappointed. No matter how much she
cares for her husband, she Wouldn't be
her mothers daughter if she didn't try
to fascinate him over again. -
Fancy the comfort of having such q
letter as that to read to all appreciative
audience! Mrs. Brooks fled with it to
Mrs. Frazier, WHO thous 1T it ought not
to be read-it was too like Dorothy Pei
ham for anything. But Mrs. Brooks
took and read it to neighbors who were
chatting and sewing together and had
no such scruples. And that night it was
dribbling about the post that Barclay
had decided to resign, had refused de-
tail on the staff of General Corliss. Some
body else would get Ned Lawrence's
troop. Brooks heaved sigh and said
to himself he was glad Of it, and the
women heaved sigh and wished he
might have come, if only for a little
while, just to make things interesting.
1T would be such a novelty to have
millionaire mine owner in garrison and
actually doing duty as captain of cav
alry.' Finally they began to wonder
what Mrs. VIM would say now, she
having had nothing at all to say.
That very evening it CHANGED to &C.
cur to Mr.. Hodge that he had not re-
turned Lieutenant Winn's call (by
card, the cavalryman having dropped
in when he knew the new arrival to
have dropped out), and when Hodge
presented himself at the Wins Che
had spoken of his intention at mess in
the presence and hearing of the negro
attendant, who had mentioned it with
out delay to the Wins colored combi-
nation Of cook and serving maid, who
had come over to borrow cup Of cook
ing sherry, it being too far to the SUIT
ler's, and that damsel had duly notified
her mistress Of the intended honor he
was shown into the dimly lighted army
sitting room, where, toasting her feet
before the fire, sat dreaming the young
mistress of the establishment, who start
ed up in apparent surprise. She had
heard neither the steps nor the ring.
Very possibly she was doing, she ad-
mitted, for baby was sleeping aloft and
her husband was gone. She was attired
in silken gown that Hodge described
somewhat later at the majors as "puf-
fickly stunning''-a garment that re-
vealed the rich curves Of her beautiful
throat and neck and arms. Women who
heard wondered why she should be
wearing that most becoming evening
robe when there was not even a hop.
She looked handsomer than the gown,
said Hodge, as she rose and greeted him,
her cheeks flushed, her eyes languorous
and smoldering at first, then growing
slowly brilliant. She apologized for the
absence of Mr.. VIM. He was spending
much time at the office just now "He
is regimental commissary, you know, or
at least he has been," she explained.
Hodge knew all about that, and he also
knew that if what he heard about the
post was true it would have been better
had VIM spent more time at the Office
before. Then Mrs. VIM was moved to
be gracious. She had heard so many,
many pleasant things of Mr.. Hodge
since his arrival She was so honored
that he should call when he must be
having SO many claims on his time, SO
many dinner calls to pay. She and Mr..
VIM were SO sorry they had been I'M
able to entertain Mr.. Hodge, but until
the cook they were expecting from San
Antonio came they were positively starv-
ing and could invite no one to share
their scraps.
''That cook has been expected whole
year, said other women but Mrs.
VIM paraded him as the cause of her
social shortcomings as confidently as
ever. Then Mrs. VIM went on to speak
Of how much she had heard of Hodge
at Omaha-dear Omaha "What lovely
times we had along the Platte in the
good old days!' Hodge blushed with
joy and preened and twittered and
thought how blessed thing it was to
be welcomed to the freside of such a
belle and beauty and to be remembered
by her as one Of the gay young bachelors
at Sidney. "Such wicked stories as we
heard Of you scapegraces from time to
time!" said she, whereat Hodge looked
as though he might indeed have been
shockingly wicked, as perhaps he had.
Indeed she feared they (the young Off
cers) we're "a sad lot, sad lot!' and
looked up at him from under the droop-
ing lashes in way that prompted him
to an inspiration that was almost elec-
trio in its effect on him. Hodge fairly
seemed to sparkle, to scintillate. "Sadl
We were in Despair said he, "but
that was when we heard of your en-
gagement-oh, ali, the second one, I
mean!'' he stumbled on, for it would
never do, thought he, to mention the
| first.
But he need have had no hesitation.
Laura Vim had heard from other and
obscurer sources something Of the rumors
. i( xI| = : 3