Part 47 (1/2)

After all was over, some of the men went out for a smoke before turning in for the night, while Helen and Harold retired to their own room, but Lieutenant Smith, the accurate shot, the daring soldier, the interested observer, wandered away by himself. Since Helen's care for him when wounded in the beginning of the long march, he had cherished an almost filial affection for her, and the events of the past months had not been unnoticed by him.

Moodily, he wandered down to the water's edge and away along the sh.o.r.e.

”She's an angel on earth,” he muttered to himself, ”and he's a miserable hound. I wonder her husband don't see it. By my faith, I'll not forget her goodness to me, and rather than see her wronged, I'll call him out whatever comes of it.”

The young man stopped speaking, but went thundering along the sh.o.r.e, as if to stifle the anger he could with difficulty repress. By-and-bye he quieted down and turned to walk home again, but the muttering came back and was bound to have its say.

”The devil of it is,” he soliloquized, ”c.u.mmings is to be the captain of the Fort, of higher rank than Manning, while both are to live under the one roof; but never mind, Tom Smith, keep your eyes open, and remember that truth and right are high as heaven.” Then, whistling softly to himself, he went in to pa.s.s his first night with the rest of the officers in the new Fort.

CHAPTER x.x.xVIII.

By November the war was over in Canada, and the declaration of peace heralded far and wide. Moreover, it was whispered among officers and men at Penetang that Sir George would soon be leaving them, and that the wet earth, due to the fall rains, was the chief cause of his delay. He had, in fact, received orders to transfer himself and body-guard over land to Little York as soon as the road was favorable for the march.

This matter, however, he kept for a time to himself. In some things he consulted his staff before acting, while in others, perhaps equally important, he kept his own counsel. It was this trait in his character that gave him the reputation of possessing a bit of the will of the Iron Duke. Possibly for the same reason he had been chosen to lead the midwinter march to Penetang. Hence the officers of his staff rarely questioned him concerning his plans for the future; although they talked among themselves pretty freely about any prospective change.

In the meantime Helen did her best to fill her position to the satisfaction of all at the new Fort. Sometimes the strain was very severe upon her, notwithstanding the kindness and courtesy of the men.

In this regard c.u.mmings surpa.s.sed them all. He hovered around longer, was the first to come and often the last to go; would read her thoughts, forestall her actions, and often, when un.o.bserved, that piercing look of his would appear for a moment. Still, agitation would not have time to occur, as with bow and smile he would pa.s.s on.

Gradually the aversion which Helen felt for him became less poignant.

Yet, as the weeks followed each other in quick succession, she felt more and more unhappy.

Harold was much concerned about her, and dreading the approach of illness desired her to consult the Doctor; but she only laughed, and declared that it was the extra duty of being Lady Bountiful that was wearing upon her, and that when winter arrived, she would be well and strong again.

Sir George also watched her keenly. In a bantering way he often tried to read her thoughts, but his efforts usually ended in the relation of some amusing tale to make her laugh and forget.

But Sir George was not the only observer. Lieutenant Smith had his eyes open, and at last, seizing an opportunity when alone with the Colonel, he decided to have his say.

”May I have a private talk with you this morning, Sir George?” he asked, with some trepidation. It was a bold thing to interview his superior officer upon such a subject--and this he well knew.

The Colonel gave him a keen glance for a moment before he answered:

”Yes, but not until noon. This morning I want you to summon all the officers to my room immediately after drill. I have something important to communicate.”

There was much speculation among them during the next hour or two, and punctually at twelve o'clock they were all present.

Sir George cast his eye over each as he entered.

”Gentlemen,” he said in a decisive tone, as he took his seat, ”the time has come when it is advisable to make a change in our arrangements here.

I find that to carry out orders from England it will not be necessary to maintain quite so large a force at Penetang. The war is over. We have not had any fighting since we arrived, and a smaller body of men will be sufficient to man our garrison. It must be remembered also, that one of the main objects to which Penetang will be devoted will be s.h.i.+p-building for the lake service. Our engineer, Captain Payne, will require to remain, and in the coming year his force will be increased. But as our garrison is now in a satisfactory condition, we can afford to part with some of our men without in any way sacrificing its interests. After thinking the matter out carefully, I have finally decided to leave the Fort under the command of Captain Payne. The rest of the officers will remain with him, with the exception of Captain c.u.mmings, who, with fifty men, will accompany me by trail to Little York, and from there to Montreal. Weather being favorable, we shall march in three days.”

”Egad, sir!” exclaimed Captain c.u.mmings, ”I always understood that I was to have command of the Fort whenever you left. Why so sudden a change?”

”I have already explained,” said the Colonel, coldly. ”The movements of a body of infantry are never regulated by cast iron rules, neither are those of its officers.”

”Can no change be made, sir?” said c.u.mmings, his face flushed and angry.