Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1900-03-02
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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 preju-
dices which 1t Is just as well not to run
up against. because the service can take
revenge upon occasions. Ordinarily
moderate amount of tact and common
decency will take you through until
you have learned those things which
are set down In neither the drill manual
nor the regulations. But Miss Hadley
had only beauty and pure cheek. She
came from somewhere down the south
ern 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 unpopular. She had had
visions Of stepping ashore among
group Of kneeling lieutenants, rather
after the fashion of the accredited
paintings of the Landing Of Colum-
bus" 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 raillngs.
They crossed the bay to the city daily,
and sraced every cOtllilon and function
worth speaking Of, and beautiful girls
were not new. They had never even
heard that Miss Hadley was beautiful.
They were In deep darkness concerning
the local bellies of-wherever 1t 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 1t was the custom.
She thought 1t was all on her own ac-
count and that the post was beginning
to come to It's Senses which made her
yet more arrogant. Some dispositions
thrive upon being made much Of, re-
turning courtesy with good coin; but
the latent meanness of others warns
to life as the snake on the wood chop
per's hearth. AS If there were not
enough unattached men to occupy her,
she turned her attention pontedly to
La Roche, and when she saw his wife
vince she redoubled her energies.
La Roche was French, and flirtatious,
and clever. And whatever else was to
he said Of Miss Hadley, she was clever,
too, In a worldly sort of way. But Mrs.
la Roche was stupid, and blushlngly
aware of her stupidity. Still, she was
n good-hearted little thing. and had
done a kind turn to every one in the
garrison at one time or another, and it
resented seeing her made jealously
wretched her pale eyes filling and her
lips quiverlng, as the beauty drew La
Roche to a remote corner and leveed
her batteries upon him. Everybody was
scandalzed-and the feelings Of the
bachelors were hurt. 1t was just little
too insolent. So they sought punish.
ment to fit the crime. and this Is what
they devised:
There was one man who had not
called that first night. 1t was Proctor,
the adjutant. He had been over in the
city at dinner When he came back
by the first boat. In the morning. dep
utatlon met him ut the wharf and car
ried him off to his quarters. and told
him what was expected of him.
"l'm not sure that like the part.
though, you know" said Proctor, when
they had explained. They impressed
upon him that the dignity of the service
demanded lt-nlso that 1t would be very
good for the girl. Proctor said 1t would
fall through at once.
1--WE only want It to last day or
two said the deputation.
On that understanding he consented.
"But won't lie you know" he told
them, "You'U have to do any of that"
'It won't he necessary" they assured
him "lf she asks-whlch Is unlikely
we will say with one accord that you
are brevet-bachelor." You will not
find the definition of that In the tactics
So Proctor went over to the Strongs'
quarters, and found Miss Hadlcy. got
ten up In the sort of morning-robe that
II Is not customary to display to the
gaze of several hundred soldiers, more
or less, In corner of the porch with
la Roche. Proctor oustrd him In about
ten minutes. lie fought openly. dwell
ing upon the charms of La Roche's four
small children, the details of the cum
ming things they said, aud of the last
attack OF Group of the youngest: how
its Dada" had nurscd 1t, and how the
babies loved him. Miss Hadlcy laughed.
That hurt Ia Roche's self-eSteem, aud
he went home.
Then Proctor started In to do as he
was bid. II was a pleasant game
enough, Miss Iadley could be agree
able when she chose She was the one
man-at-a-time stamp of girl, and for the
nonce Proctor was the man. lie stayed
all the morning, also to luncheon. also
all the afternoon Part of the time they