as they were childlike. He devoted himself to his government report, and
while he kept up his communications with the reservation and the agent,
for the present domiciled himself at the fort.
Colonel Bryce, the commandant though doubtful of civilians, was not
slow to appreciate the difference of playing host to a man of Atherly's
wealth and position and even found in Peter's reserve and melancholy an
agreeable relief to the somewhat boisterous and material recreations of
garrison life, and a gentle check upon the younger officers. For, while
Peter did not gamble or drink, there was yet an unobtrusive and gentle
dignity in his abstention that relieved him from the attitude of a
prig or an "example." Mrs. Lascelles was popular with the officers,
and accepted more tolerantly by the wives, since they recognized her
harmlessness. Once or twice she was found apparently interested in
the gesticulations of a few "friendlies" who had penetrated the parade
ground of the fort to barter beads and wampum. The colonel was obliged
at last to caution her against this, as it was found that in her
inexperience she had given them certain articles that were contraband of
the rules, and finally to stop them from an intrusion which was becoming
more frequent and annoying. Left thus to herself, she relieved her
isolation by walks beyond the precincts of the garrison, where she
frequently met those "friendly" wanderers, chiefly squaws and children.
Here she was again cautioned by the commander,--
"Don't put too much faith in those creatures, Mrs. Lascelles."
Jenny elevated her black brows and threw up her arched nose like a
charger. "I'm not afraid of old women and children," she said loftily.
"But I am," said the colonel gravely. "It's a horrible thing to think
of, but these feeble old women and innocent children are always selected
to torture the prisoners taken by the braves, and, by Jove, they seem to
like it."
Thus restricted, Mrs. Lascelles fell back upon the attentions of
Lieutenant Forsyth, whose gallantry was always as fresh as his smart
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