Willmar tribune., 1898-08-31

she was prostrated and couldn't an
swer herself, perhaps for days. I have
no right to tell you what was in the
message, but she seems to need to see
you. She says tomorrow say to-
night" :
For moment no answer came. At
last, with evident effort, Merriam spoke.
Il had promised myself never to see
her alone. It is due to my wife, if not
to me. You know the relations that ex-
listed. Now Mrs. Merriam does not
like your guest"
"Neither do l." interrupted Grafton,
stoutly, "and I've an idea she'll 20 after
she's got what-information you can
give her,
And now Merriam's face beganto lose
its dark look and to grow suddenly
pale. "Do you mean that this telegram
has made-has anything to do with her
wish to see me?''
"Everything, Merriam, according to
my belief, and if could tell you what
it said I think you would not refuse
her."
Intently Merriam eyed the captains
face as though burning with eagerness
to read his full meaning.
"Very well, will come right after re-
treat. Surely five minutes ought to be
enough" he said at length, and then
went thoughtfully homeward.
But retreat parade came within so
short time after Grafton's return to
his quarters that his message to Mrs.
McLane covered that lady with con-
sternation. What! Meet Randy Mer-
riam when she had less than 80 min
utes in which to dress! It couldn't
be thought of! When Merriam called,
Mrs. Grafton futtered down, with
flushing cheeks and indignant eyes.
I'm so sorry, Mr.. Merriam, but really
Mrs. McLane says she is so far from we'll
again this evening that she cannot see
anyone. She has gone back to bed, but
begs that you will come in at noon to-
morrow. How is dear Florence? I
should have been to see her, but am
tied hands and feet"
And Randy went angering back to
Floy's mutely inquiring eyes. "What
can I do to cheer you tonight, my dar-
ling?' he whispered, as he bent over
to kiss her. "Is Mrs. Hayne coming
back?''
Florence was lying on the sofa in her
pretty room aloft, and Merriam knelt
at her side, taking her passive hand in
his and stroking gently the curls that
shimmered about her white temples.
The smile with which she greeted him
was very wan and fitting.
"She said she would, after a little. I
told her you'd be in right after pa
rade, but" and the "but'' had mourn
full tone to it.
II had to stop a moment on the way,
dear. A matter I promised to attend
to-" and again he bent and laid his lips
upon her brow, then pressed them to
hers. Time was, and only few days
gone by, when she used to meet that
fond caress with kiss as fond, as lin
gering as his own. Now she lay there
patient, unresponsive. Something
prompted him to pass his arm under
meath her neck and to draw her head to
his breast, and she let herself 90, un-
resisting, but her cheek did not nestle
happily, confidently, as was it's way.
Her big, pathetic eyes were down
cast, even averted.
II wish. knew some way to gladden.
you bit, my Brownie,' he murmured,
using for almost the first time her IA
theirs own fond pet name for her, and
he was startled beyond measure at the
result. One instant her face light
ed as with sudden radiant Joy, then
quivered all over with pent-up emo
tion. Then the pretty mouth began
to twitch and the lips to tremble, and
then, despite every effort, she turned
back to her pillow and burst into pas
sion of tears, great sobs shaking her
slender frame from head to foot.
Florence! Florence!" he cried, in
utter dismay and trouble. "What is it,
sweetheart? What is it, my pet, my
precious?' All, don't turn from me like
that. You are not well, my own, or you
would not break my heart by shrinking
from me. What can have said to so
distress you?' And now he would take
no denial, but had clasped his arms
about her and drawn her to his breast
again, and began kissing away her tears
and striving to check her sobbing. It
was useless.
"Oh, let me cry-let me cry!" she
pleaded-''it's what I need.''
And so in pain and bewilderment he
yielded to her wish and ,strove to con-
tent himself with murmuring soft,
soothing words and holding her close
to his heart, and at Last the storm of
tears seemed drifting away and she
could speak in answer to his pleading,
and presently she looked one instant
into his eyes and began: J.. .. .>,s
"Do you think-could we-go back
to ---cantonment for just little
while?" -,.. - ..fr. ..s.f. ,.- g>.g.%5;:f = ,
"Why, Floy, darling, we've only just
come from there" -,~. .$s :" )
TT know. And yet-and yet--oh,, it.
seems months - years since - since
then!" And now the sobs again be-
came uncomfortable, and in dread and
distress he sprang up to call thess
ant and bid him go for Mrs. Haynes
and the doctor. i Florence protested,
even ilnnlnra1 ,h,,f RI NJ, ,,,,,.,@oeo ~ ET1,