Ray and Mrs. Blake, the recognized leaders among the young
matrons of the ----th Cavalry, and by gentle Mrs. Dade, to whom every
one looked up in respect,--almost in reverence. Despite the mystery
about her antecedents there was every reason why Mrs. Hay should be held
in esteem and affection. Bill Hay himself was a diamond in the
rough,--square, sturdy, uncompromising, generous and hospitable; his
great pride and glory was his wife; his one great sorrow that their only
child had died almost in infancy. His solecisms in syntax and society
were many. He was given at times to profanity, and at others, when
madame was away, to draw poker; but officers and men alike proclaimed
him a man of mettle and never hesitated to go to him when in financial
straits, sure of unusurious aid. But, even had this not been the case,
the popularity of his betterhalf would have carried him through, for
there was hardly a woman at Frayne to speak of her except in terms of
genuine respect. Mrs. Hay was truth telling, sympathetic, a peacemaker,
a resolute opponent of gossip and scandal of every kind, a woman who
minded her own business and was only mildly insistent that others should
do likewise. She declined all overtures leading to confidences as to her
past, and demanded recognition only upon the standard of the present,
which was unimpeachable.
Pages:
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26