o,
being the adjutant, and a very busy man, could visit only at certain
hours of the day or evening. Now, it had become apparent to the boys
that despite her general attitude of cordiality their attentions were
not what Mrs. Hay so much desired as those of the major commanding.
Twice had he been invited to dine within the week of Nanette's coming.
Once he accepted. The second time he begged off on plea of a previous
engagement, subsequently made, to go shooting with Blake. It was the
bachelor heart and home of Major Webb to which Mrs. Hay would have laid
vicarious siege, small blame to her, for that indomitable
cross-examiner, Mrs. Wilkins, wife and manager of the veteran ranker now
serving as post quartermaster, had wormed out of Mrs. Hay the admission
that Nanette had no fortune. She was the only daughter of a half
brother, very dear to Mrs. Hay, whom she had lost, she said, long years
before. To do her justice, it was quite apparent that Miss Flower was no
party to the plan, for, though she beamed on Webb as she did on all, she
frankly showed her preference for the younger officers who could dance
as well as ride, and either dancing or riding was her glory. She danced
like a sylph; she seemed to float about the room as though on air; she
rode superbly, and shirked no leap that even Ray and Field took with
lowered hands and close gripping knees. She was joyous, laughing,
radiant with all the officers, and fairly glowed with cordiality for all
the women. But it speedily developed that she would rather dance with
Field than any of the others, probably because he was by far the best
waltzer, and to ride with him, because, Ray excepted, there was none to
excel him in the saddle. Ten days had she been at Frayne and within that
time had become as thoroughly at ease and home as though it had been her
abiding place since babyhood. It was plain to see that big Bill Hay
almost worshipped this lovely _protegee_ of the wife he more than
worshipped. It was plain to see that Webb uneasily held aloof, as though
fearful of singeing his shrivelling wings. It was plain to see that the
hitherto indomitable Mrs. Wilkins was puzzled. It was not so plain to
see that there were two women at the post on whom Miss Flower's charms
made slight impression--Mesdames Blake and Ray--two wise young matrons
who were known to have few secrets from each other and no intimacies--or
rather no confidences--with any other woman at Fort Frayne--Mrs. Dade
pos