Betty at Fort Blizzard | Page 8

sir, to escape the dangers of that
buggy."
In talking with Mrs. Fortescue about the music ride Colonel Fortescue
dwelt upon the superiority of a quiet horse like Pretty Maid over a
constitutional kicker like Birdseye.
"It's the quiet ones, horses and women, that need watching," replied
Mrs. Fortescue, who had never been accused of being a quiet one.
For two weeks before Christmas the exhibition drill and music ride was
the great subject of attention at Fort Blizzard. The most interesting part
of the show was the music ride, in which the girls of the post were to
ride, each girl having her attendant cavalier. When it was known that
Anita was to ride with Broussard all the other sublieutenants who had
hoped to sit in Broussard's saddle promptly provided themselves with

other charming young ladies of the post. Next to Anita, the best rider
was Sally Harlow, the daughter of her who had been Sally Carteret.
Mrs. Harlow followed the example of Mrs. Fortescue, whose
bridesmaid she had been, and had married within a year the dashing
young officer with whom she "stood up" at Mrs. Fortescue's wedding.
Mrs. Harlow, like Mrs. Fortescue, showed a marked inability to grow
old and was as gay and drank the wine of life as joyously as did her
daughter, Sally the Second.
For a fortnight before Christmas the practice rides took place every
afternoon in the great riding hall, in which four troops of cavalry could
manoeuvre.
As the daughter of the C. O., Anita, with Broussard, was to lead the girl
riders and their cavaliers. Broussard called punctually at the Colonel's
quarters for Anita, on the red December afternoons, when the air was
like champagne and Broussard felt as if his veins ran wine instead of
blood. The After-Clap, under Kettle's secret instructions, became
valuable ally of Broussard's. Kettle managed that the baby's afternoon
ride in his wicker carriage should coincide with Broussard's arrival.
The dark-eyed baby, in his little white fur coat and cap and white fur
blanket, looked like a snowdrop by the side of Kettle, who, except his
shiny teeth, was so black it seemed as if he had been coated with shoe
polish. The After-Clap always hailed Broussard with a vigorous shout
of "Bruvver! Bruvver!" and Kettle invariably explained:
"He's a-tryin' to say 'Mr. Boosard.'"
At this Broussard would laugh and agree with Kettle that the
After-Clap was the knowingest baby in the world, and Anita would
blush beautifully. Colonel Fortescue's heart sank when he saw
Broussard and Anita walking off together; Broussard so trim and
soldierly in his riding uniform and Anita so amazingly pretty in her
blue habit and cap, cunningly imitating the cavalry uniform, a fetching
dress adopted by all the young ladies who were to take part in the
music ride.
The drill and ride were to begin at eight o'clock on Christmas Eve, and

afterward there was to be a big ball, for at Fort Blizzard the young girls
and young officers ended everything with a ball, where they could
"chase the glowing hours with flying feet."
A great silver moon and a mighty host of palpitating stars put the
electric lights to shame on Christmas Eve. When Broussard called for
Anita, a little before eight, she was waiting, already dressed in the
pretty imitation of an officer's uniform--a costume that would make
even a plain girl enchanting, and how much more so the violet-eyed
Anita? Mrs. Fortescue, in a beautiful ball gown, looked quite as
handsome as her daughter. The regimental tailor had been busy all day
letting out Colonel Fortescue's full dress uniform and the Colonel
fondly hoped that a couple of inches he had gained in girth were
concealed by the tailor's art. But Mrs. Fortescue's quick eye discerned
it.
"I declare, Jack," she cried, showing off her own figure, as slim as a
girl's, "I shall have to put you on a diet of lemon juice and slate pencils
if you keep on getting stout!"
At which the Colonel glowered darkly and Anita, putting her arms
about his neck, whispered:
"Never mind, dear, darling daddy, I love you just the same."
[Illustration: "Never mind, dear, darling daddy, I love you just the
same."]
Mrs. Fortescue, who would have been affable to the Evil One himself,
smiled at Broussard. The Colonel was polite but not effusive, having
developed a rooted dislike to junior unmarried officers as soon as he
found out that Anita had to grow up, like other human beings.
Broussard felt himself in Paradise when he was walking with Anita
along the moonlit plaza toward the riding hall. Outside, troopers were
leading the restless horses up and down. Pretty Maid did not belie her
name, and was the best behaved, as she was the handsomest, of all the