The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1900-02-10
THERE are more things in the

THERE are more things in the
service than brass buttons and
dashing cavalrymen, and dying at the
post of duty, and the rest of the stock
phrases of romance. There are a few
fixed principles and some prejudices
which it is just as well not to run up
against, because the service can take
revenge upon occasions. Ordinarily a
moderate amount. of tact and common
you have learned those things which
are set down in neither the drill-man-
ual nor the regulations. But Miss Had
ley haG only beauty and pure cheek.
She came from somewhere down the
southern way-Los Angeles, or San
Diego, or something, to visit the
Strongs at Angel island. And from
the moment she set foot upon the
landing she began to make herself I'M
popular. She had had visions of step
ring ashore among group of kneel-
ing lieutenants, rather than after the
fashiqR of the accredited paintings
of the Landing of Columbus" or the
"Jesuit Fathers" But the lieutenants
were busy, or they were taking maps,
or sitting on their front porches, with
their feet on the ratings. They
crossed the bay to the city daily, and
graced every cotillon and function
worth speaking of, and beautiful girls
were not new. They had never even
heard that Miss Hadley was beautiful.
in, Inr ri,
ing the local bellies of-wherever it
was, down south.
However, several Of them met her
at dinner that night, and the rest
called afterwards, as is the custom.
Miss Hadley did not know it was the
custom. She thought it was all on her
own account, and that the post was
beginning to come to its senses, which
made her yet more arrogant. Some
dispositions thrive upon being made
much Of, returning courtesy with
good coin; the latent meanness of 9TH
ers warns to life as the snake on
the woodchopper's hearth. AS IL there
were not enough unattached men to
occupy her, she turned her attention
rointedly to La Roche, and when she
saw his wife vince she redoubled her
energies.
La Roche was French, and fiirta-
tious, and clever. And, whatever else
was to be said of Miss Hadley she
was clever, too, in a worldly sort Of
way. But Mrs. La Roche was stupid,
and blushingly aware of her stupid
ity. Still, she was good-hearted lit
tie thirg, and had done kind turn
to everyone in the garrison at one
time or another, and it resented see
ing her made jealousy wretched, her
pale eyes filling and her lips CULVER
ing, as the beauty drew La Roche to a
remote corner and leveled her bat
teries upon him. Everybody was scan
dalized--and the feelings of the b,ch-
elors were hurt. 1t was just a little
too insolent. So they sought a pun
ishment to fit the crime, and this was
what they devised:
There was one man who had not
called that first night. 1t was Proc:
tor, the adjutant. He had been over
in the city at dinner. When he came
back by the first boat in the morning
d deputation met him at the wharf
and carried him off to his quarters
and told him what was expected of
him.
I'm not sure that I like the part,
though, you know" said Proctor, when
they had explained. They impressed
upon him that the dignity of the serv-
ice demanded it--also that it would
be very good for the girl. Proctor said
1t would fall through at once.
1--WE only want it to last a day or
two" said the deputation.
On that understanding he consent
ed. "But I won't lie, you know" he
told them. you'll have to do any Of
that"
at won't be necessary" they as
sured him. "If she asks-which is
unlikely-we will say with one accord
that you are brevet bachelor" You
will not find the definition of that In
the tactics.