The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-07-27


ant-with Alice out of the way"
'That is something Mr.. Jerrold failed
to mention, is it not?"
Miss Renwick's cheeks were flushed,
and the dark eyes were filled with sud
den pain as she answered:
II did not know she was there. She
was to have gone to the lakes the same
day we left. "
"Sho did go, Alice" said her mother,
"but it was only for brief visit, it
seems"
The colonel was not at their cottage
when the omnibus reached the lake.
Over at the hotel We're the usual num-
Der Of loungers gathered to see the new
arrivals, and Alice presently caught
sight of the colonel coming through the
park. If anything he looked more list
less and dispirited than he had before
they left. She ran down the steps to
meet him, smiling brightly up into his
Worn and haggard face
care you feeling little brighter,
papa? Here are letters for you" He
took them YEARLY, barely glancing at
the superscriptions
II had hoped for something more"
he said and passed on into the little
frame house which was his sisters sum
mer home "ls your mother here?" he
asked, looking back as he entered the
door.
I'm the north room, with Aunt
Grace, papa," she answered, and then
once moro and with graver face she be-
gan to read Mr. Jerrold's letter. 1t was
careful study she was making of it
this time, and not altogether pleasant
one. Aunt Grace came out and made
some laughing remark at seeing her still
so occupied. She looked up, plucliily
smiling despite sense of wounded
pride, and answered:
II am only convincing myself that it
was purely on general principles that
Mr.. Jerrold seemed so anxious | should
be there. He never wanted me to lead
with him at ALL" All the same it
stung, and Aunt Grace saw and knew
it and longed to take her to her heart
and comfort her, but it was better so.
She was finding him out unaided.
She was still studying over portions
of that ingenious letter when the rus
tie of her aunt's gown indicated that
she was rising. She saw her move to-
ward the steps, heard a quick, firm
tread upon the narrow planking and
glanced up in surprise. There, uncov-
ering his close cropped head stood the
tall stranger, looking placidly up as he
addressed Aunt Grace:
Pardon me, can see Colonel May
nard?"
"He is at home. Pray come up and
take chair. I will let him know. II
felt sure you must be some friend Of his
when saw you in the stage" said the
good lady, with manifest and apologetic
uneasiness.
eyes, responded the stranger as he
quickly assembled the steps and bowed
before her, smiling quietly the while.
LET me introduce myself. 1 am Cap
tain Armitage of the colonel's regi-
ment." "
"There! I knew itP' was Aunt
Grace's response as, with both hands up
lifted in tragic despair, she gave one
horror stricken glance at Alice and
rushed into tho house.
There was a moments silence. Then,
with burning cheeks, but with grave
eyes that looked frankly into his, Alice
Renwick arose, came straight up to him
and held out her hand.
Captain Arnitage, l beg your par
don."
He took the extended hand and gazed
earnestly into her face, while a kind
almost merry-smile lighted up his
own.
'Have the boys given me such an
rncanny reputation as all that?" he
asked, and then, as though tickled with
the comicality of the situation, he be-
gan to laugh. "What ogres some Of US
old soldiers do become in the course of
years! Do you know, young lady, l
might never have suspected what brute
I was if it had not been for you? What
q blessed thing it was the colonel did
not tell you l was coming! You would
never have given me this true insight
into my character.
But she saw nothing to laugh at and
would not laugh. Her lovely face was
still burning with bushes and dismay
and full of trouble.
81 do nat look upon it lightly at ALL"
she said. ut was objectionable in me
to-to"-
"To take so effective and convincing
a method Of telling man Of his griev-
Gus sinsl Not bit of it. l like girl
who has the courage to stand up for her
friends. Ishall congratulate Jerrold and
Hall both when l get back, lucky fell
lows that they arep' And evidently Cap.
tain Armitage was deriving altogether
too much jolly entertainment from her
awkwardness. She rallied and strove to
put cp end to it.
Indeed, Captain Armitage, l do
think the young officers sorely need
friends and advocates at times. never
would have knowingly spoken to you of
your personal responsibilities in the
woes Of Mr.. Jerold and Mr.. Hall, but
since have done so unwittingly may
as well define my position, especially as
Won are so good uatured with it all. "
And here, it must be admitted, Miss
Renwick's beautiful eyes were shyly
lifted to his in most telling way. Once
there, they looked squarely into the
clear blue depths of his and never
fiinched. "It seemed to mo several
times at Sibley that the young officers
deserved more consideration and cour-
tesy than their captains accorded them.
1t was not you alone that I heard of. "
81 am profoundly gratified to learn