IV
THE BEAUTIFUL ELSIE BEE BEE
As Jennie entered the mess-house she uttered a little cry of amazement.Outwardly, it was a rude barrack of whitewashed cottonwood logs, but itsinterior glowed with color and light. Bright rugs were on the floor, anda big divan in one corner displayed a monstrous black bear-skin. Acapacious fireplace, which dated back to the first invasion of the army,filled one end of the hall, which had been enlarged by the removal of apartition. Oil-paintings, without frames, were tacked against the walls,and the odor of fresh pigments lingered in the air.
"This is our general meeting-place," explained Lawson.
"It smells like a studio," Jennie replied, after a glance around her.
A plain, quiet little woman, with a look of inquiry on her face,appeared at the dining-room door, and Lawson called out:
"Mrs. Wilcox, this is Miss Curtis, who will stay with us for a fewdays." As they greeted each other he added: "There is a story to tell,but we are late, and it can wait. Where is Elsie?"
"Still at work. She never _would_ come to her meals if we didn't callher."
"I'm disposed to try it some day. Will you take charge of Miss Curtiswhile I go fetch the delinquent?"
Under Mrs. Wilcox's direction Jennie prepared for luncheon in anadjoining room, wondering still at the unexpected refinement of thefurnishings, and curious to see the artist.
As she re-entered the sitting-room a tall girl rose languidly to meether, and Lawson said: "Miss Curtis, this is Miss Brisbane, the painterof the pictures you see about."
Miss Brisbane bowed in silence, while Jennie cried out: "Oh! did you dothem? I think they are beautiful!"
The sincerity of her voice touched the young artist, and she said: "I'mglad you like them--sometimes I think they're pretty 'bum.'"
A slang word on the red lips of the handsome girl seemed wofully out ofplace to Jennie, who stared at her with the eager curiosity of a child.She was slender and dark, with an exquisite chin, and her hands, thoughslim and white, were strong and capable. Her eyes were very dark, of avelvety brown-black, and her hair was abundant and negligently piledupon her small head. Altogether she had a stately and rather foreignpresence, which made Jennie feel very dowdy and very commonplace.
Mrs. Wilcox hurried them all out into the dining-room, where a prettytable was spread for six people. Jennie's attention was absorbed by thewalls, which were also lightened with sketches of small, red babies ingay cradles, and of glowing bits of tawny plain and purple butte.
"Did you do all of these beautiful things?" she asked.
Lawson interposed. "She did, Miss Curtis. Be not deceived. MissBrisbane's languid manner springs from her theory of rest. When work isfinished she 'devitalizes'--I think that is the word--and becomes a rag.But she's a horrible example of industry, spineless as she now appears."
Miss Brisbane remained quite unmoved by Lawson's words; smilingdreamily, her red lips, as serene as those of a child, softly shapedthemselves to say: "The strung bow needs relaxation."
"I think you are right," said Jennie, with sudden conviction.
Elsie opened her eyes wide and murmured, "Thank you."
Jennie went on: "Now my trouble is just that. I'm always nerved up. Ican't relax. Won't you teach me how?"
"With pleasure. Are you going to live here?" asked Elsie, with faintaccession of interest.
"As long as my brother does."
"I suppose you've come to teach these ragamuffins?"
Lawson here answered for Jennie. "Miss Curtis is a sister to CaptainCurtis, who has come to displace your uncle."
Miss Brisbane looked up blankly. "I don't understand."
Lawson became explicit, and as she listened the girl's hands clinched.
"How abominable!" she cried, with eyes aflame.
"Not at all. If Mr. Sennett is an honest employe of the government, heshould be willing to be searched--if he isn't, then no measure is tooharsh. He'll get a thorough raking over, if my impression of the newagent is correct."
"My father would not put a dishonest man in this place," insisted Elsie,"and I don't believe Uncle Sennett has done wrong."
"Well, now, we'll suspend judgment," retorted Lawson, who knew just whento change his tone. "Captain Curtis is an officer of known ability, andno one can accuse him of prejudice. His living doesn't depend uponpleasing either Mr. Sennett or your father. Undoubtedly the governmenthas good reasons for sending him here, and I for one am willing toaccept his judgment."
Elsie rose in swift resolution. "I say it is an outrage! I am going tosee that Uncle Sennett is not persecuted."
Lawson laid his hand on her arm and his voice was sternly quiet. "Ithink you would better finish your tea. Whatever protest you feel calledupon to make can be made later. If you like," he added, in a gentlervoice, "I will represent you in the matter and go with you to seeCaptain Curtis during the afternoon. I don't think we should trouble himnow."
Elsie resumed her seat without either accepting or rejecting his offer,and the meal continued in some constraint, although Lawson summoned hisbest humor to cover Elsie's passionate outburst.
A few minutes later Elsie sullenly retired to her studio, and Lawsonsaid: "I am going out to see what is going on, Miss Curtis; please makeyourself at home here."
When the door closed behind him Jennie turned to Mrs. Wilcox. "Why doesMr. Lawson use that tone with Miss Brisbane--are they engaged?"
Mrs. Wilcox laughed. "That's just what none of us knows. Sometimes Ithink they are husband and wife--he lectures her so."
* * * * *
When Curtis joined the mess in the evening he was weary and a littlesombre. Vastly preoccupied with his difficult task at the office, he hadgiven but little attention to Jennie's announcement of having been takeninto the bosom of an artistic family messing at the barracks, and whenElsie met him in a regal gown, glittering and changeful, he pulledhimself up in surprise and admiration.
Elsie, on her part, was eager to see him and ready to do battle, but ashe faced her, abrupt, vigorous of movement, keen-eyed andcomposed--almost stern of countenance--she was a little daunted. He washandsomer than she had expected, and older. His head was impressive, hisframe muscular, and his movements graceful. Plainly he was a man ofpower, one it would be politic to treat with respect.
As they took up their napkins at the table Lawson opened out: "Well,Captain, we don't want to seem inquisitive, but we are dying to knowwhat you've been doing this afternoon. We feel on the outside of itall."
"Yes," Elsie quickly added, "we want to know whether there is to be arevolution, or only a riot."
Curtis turned to her smilingly and replied: "You'll all be disappointed.I've been looking over accounts and holding humdrum audience with myclerks--a very busy but very quiet afternoon--nothing doing, as thephrase goes."
"Where is Uncle Sennett?" inquired Elsie. "I tried to find him, but yourmen would not let me into the office."
"You shouldn't have tried," interjected Lawson.
"Is he your uncle?" asked Curtis.
"He's my father's sister's husband--but that doesn't matter; I'd defendhim if he were a stranger. I think he has been shamefully treated. Theidea of searching his private desk!"
Curtis looked at her keenly. "I am under orders," he said. "Mr. Sennettis nothing to me, one way or the other. The question for answer is--hashe abused his office?"
"He has not!" exclaimed Elsie. "I _know_ he has not. He is not a man tocheat and steal; he is not a strong man, but he is kind and generous."
"Too kind and too generous," muttered Lawson.
"I'm sorry to say that the records are against him," replied Curtis,"and his action is against him. He and his son have gone to PinonCity--riding very like fugitives. I had no orders to hold them; indeed,I was glad to let them go."
Elsie bit her lips. "He has gone to get aid," she said at last, "andwhen he comes back you will take a different tone with him."
Curtis laughed. "I believe he d
id say he'd have my hide, or somethinglike that."
Lawson put in a word. "He'll do it, too, if the cattle interest caninfluence the Secretary. Don't tell us any more than is proper,Captain, but--how do you find his accounts?"
"In very bad shape. The chiefs say he has been holding back rations andturning in bad beef for some time."
"You'd take the word of a nasty Indian against my uncle, or _any_ whiteman, I can see that," said Elsie, in withering scorn.
Curtis turned upon her a most searching glance. "Miss Brisbane, I don'tunderstand your attitude towards me. As a soldier on special duty,detailed almost against my will, I have no prejudice in this affair. Itis my duty to see that the treaties of the government are carried out.You seem to think I am started on a line of persecution of your uncle--"he checked himself. "I beg you will not pursue the subject any further."He turned to Lawson with an effort to put aside unpleasant conversation."Please don't ask me disagreeable questions when I am curious to knowthe meaning of this artistic invasion of my territory. Who isresponsible for these pictures?"
Lawson hastened to explain. "This plague of artists is due to meentirely, Captain Curtis. I am doing some studies of the Tetongs, andMiss Brisbane came out to make some illustrations for me. In fact, shesuggested coming here rather than to the upper agencies, because of heruncle's presence. Our coming brought others."
"I am very glad you came," said Curtis, heartily, "and I will do all inmy power to further your work. Please do not allow my coming to changeyour plans in the slightest degree."
Lawson continued: "Intending to stay some months, we concluded to set upa mess and be comfortable--and permit me to say, we hope you'll eat withus until your own goods arrive."
"Thank you; I accept with pleasure, for I don't enjoy camping in thetent of my angry predecessor--this company is more to my mind."
Elsie's red lips were tremulous with indignation. "You can't blame Mr.Sennett for being angry. You would be if treated in the same way. Thereis no justice in it. _I_ would never have surrendered those keys toyou."
Curtis patiently repeated, "My orders were peremptory."
"You can't take shelter behind that plea. Your acts are atrocious, and Ishall write to my father in Washington and have you investigated." Shewas beautiful as flame in the glow of her wrath.
Curtis seemed struck with a new idea. "Are you the daughter ofex-Senator Brisbane?"
She braced herself. "Well, suppose I am?"
"Oh, nothing at all--only it explains."
"What does it explain?"
"Your attitude. It is quite natural for a daughter of Andrew Brisbane totake sides against these people." He was not in a mood to be gallant,and his glance quelled the angry girl.
With flushed face and quivering lips she sprang to her feet. "I will notstay to be insulted," she said.
Curtis rose as she swept from the room, but checked his instinctivewords of apology and returned to his seat in silence.
Mrs. Wilcox relieved the painful pause by saying, "Captain Curtis, youmust not misjudge Elsie. She is a much better girl than she seems."
Lawson was troubled as he said, "She has lashed herself into a greatrage over this affair, but as a matter of fact she don't care a hang forSennett."
"I can't apologize for doing my duty," said Curtis, "even to MissBrisbane."
"Certainly not," replied Lawson, though he was deeply hurt by Elsie'sdisplay of unreason.
As soon as he decently could, he followed her to her studio, where hefound her lying in sullen dejection on the big divan. "Bee Bee, you aremissing a good dinner," he began, gently.
She was instantly ready to fight. "I suppose you blame me for thisscene."
"I think you are hasty, and a little unreasonable. I know Curtis byreputation, and he is above any petty malice."
"You are taking his side against me!"
"Not at all, Bee Bee, I am merely trying to show you--"
"He looked at me as no man ever dared to look before, and I hate him. Hethinks because he has a little authority he can lord it over us allhere. I shall write to father at once, telling him just how this littleprig of a lieutenant--"
"Captain," interrupted Lawson--"for distinguished service."
His smile made her furious. She flung herself back on the divan. "Goaway. I hate you, too."
Lawson, at the end of his patience, went out and closed the door behindhim. "What is the matter with the girl?" he said to Mrs. Wilcox. "I'veseen her in temper, but never like this. She has taken the most violentantagonism to Curtis."
"She'd better let that young man alone," replied Mrs. Wilcox, sagely."He has a very firm mouth."