Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1900-03-03
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Observation-Disclosures

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-
a1ices which it is just rs well not to run
up against, because the service can take
revenge upon occasions Ordinarily n
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 Hadlcy
had only beauty and pure cheek. She
came from somewhere down the south
.ern way-Tos 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 a
group of kneeling licutenants, rather
after the fashion of the accredited
paintings Of the Landing of Column
Ous" or the Jesuit Fathers" But the
aieutenants 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 cotillion 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-whereyer it was,
down south.
However, several of them met her at
a dinner that night. and the rest called
afterwards. as Is the custom. Miss
Hadley did not know it was the custom.
She thought ii was all on her own ac-
count, 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, re-
turning courtesy with good coin; but
the latent meanneSs of others warns
40 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 pointedly to
La Roche, and when she saw his wife
vince she redoubled her energies.
La Roche was French, and tlirtatious,
and clever. And whatever else was to
be said of Miss Hadley, she was clever
too, In worldly sort of way. But Mrs.
la Roche was stupid and blushingly
aware of her stupidity. Still, she was
good-hearted little thing, and had
done kind turn to every one in the
garrison at one time or another. and it
resented seeing her made iealousIy
wretched, her pale eyes filling and her
lips quiyering. as the beauty drew La
Roche to remote corner and leveled
her batteries upon him. Everybody was
scandalized-and the feelings of the
bachelors were hurt. 1t was Just little
too insolent SO they sought a 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, a dep
utation met him at the wharf and car
ried him of to his quarters, and told
him what was expected of him.
I'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 it-also that it would he very
good for the girl. Proctor said ii would
fall through at once.
1--WE only want 1t to last day or
two" said the deputaton.
On that understanding he consented
But | won't lie you know" he told
them. You'll have to do any of that"
1T wont be necessary" they assured
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
So Proctor went over to the Strongs'
quarters, and found Miss Hadley, got
ten up In the sort of mOrning-robe that
1t is not customary to display to the
gaze of several hundred soldiers, more
or less, In n corner of the porch with
La Roche. Proctor Ousted him in about
ten minutes, He fought openly. dwell
ing upon the charms of La Roche's four
small children, the details of the cum
ming things they said, and of the last
attack of Group of the youngest: how
its Dada" had nursed it. and how the
babies loved him Miss Hadley laughed.
That hurt La Roche's Self-estcem, and
he went home.
Then Proctor started in to do as he
was bid. 1t was a pleasant game
enough. Miss Hadley could be agree,
able when she chose. She was the one
man-ata-time stamp of girl, and for thc
nonce Proctor was the man. He stayeC