The Florence daily tribune., 1898-03-16

were watering, than Merriam himself
seeing inquiry in THE captains eye, he
stepped quickly toward him.
My wife isn't feeling at all well" he
explained, ''snd I'm excused in order to
return to her.
Nothing serious, hope" said
Grafton. There. at least, was a woman
he approved OF.
Nothing thai | can understand, o
the doctor either" said Randy, anxious.
ly. "Shr hasn't beoa like hsrse,f 70
severa. days, and gets worse instead G
better. don't like to be away frou
her, although Mrs. Hayne is there .
great deal, b.ess her,"
I'm sorry-l'm doubly sorry. Mer.
riam," said Grafton. uncomfortahly.
for was on the point OF asking you
to come over and ste Mrs, McLane about
a matter which is giving her deep
anxiety"
Merriam's face began to darkcn al
once, but he said no word.
Randy" continued Grafton. after
moments embarrassed pause. 81 know
it's asking great deal more than
should care TO do were in your Pace.
and wou.dn', ask it il didn't think /.
might lo good for all and do harm to
none. You heard of her sudden pros
tration the other night?"
"Yes-but-"
DO you know--have you any idea OF
the cause?"
mot the faintest-No, can't say
that. She got telegram. l heard"
ba a
ed and had to read it and reply that
she was Frustrated and coultin'; an
swer herself, perhaps for days. have
no right to tell you what was in the
message, hut she seems to need to see
you. She says Tomorrow say to-
night
For a moment no answer came At
last, with evident effort Merriam spoke.
II had promised myself never to see
her alone. II Is due to my wife. IL not
to me. You know the relations that ex-
listed. Now Mrs. Merriam does not
like your guest"
Neither do L." interrupted Grafton,
stout.y, "and I've an idea she'll go ufter
she's got what-information you can
give her"
And now Merriam's face began to lose
its dark look and to grow suddenly
pale DO you mcun that this telegram
has made--has anything to do with her
wish TO see me?''
Everything. Merriam. according 10
my belief, and if | could tell you what
1t said ! think you would not refuse
her"
Intently Merriam eyed the captains
face as though burning with eagerness
to read his fun meaning.
Very well. viii come right after re-
trent. Surely five minutes ought to be
| enough" he said at length, and then
went thoughtfully homewartl.
But retreat parade came within so
hort time after Grafton's return to
his quarters that his message to Mrs.
| AlcLane covered that lady with con-
siernation. What! Meet Randy Mer-
riam when she had less than 80 min
utes in which TO sress! II couldn't
)e thought of! When Merriam called,
Mrs. Grafton flnttered down. with
lrshing cheeks and indignant eyes.
I'm so sorry. MIR. Merriam, but really
Mrs. McLane says she is so far from well
again this evening that she capnot see
anyone. She has gone back to bed, but
begs that you will come in at noon to-
morrow. How is dear Florence? l
should have been 10 see her, but am
tied hands and feet"
And Randy went angering back to
Floy's mutcly inquiring eyes. what
can 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 hes
pretty room aloft. and Merriam knelt
a. her side. taking her passive hand in
his and stroking gently the curls that
shimmered about her white temples.
The smile with which she gre.ted him
was very wan and fitting.
''Sne said she would. after little.
told her you'd be in right after pa
rade but" aud tho "hut' had mourn
full tone to it.
Il had TO step moment on the way,
dear matter 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, unresponsiye. Something
prompted him to pass his arm under
meath her neck and to draw her head to
his breast. and she let herself go. un-
resisting, but her cheek did not nestle
happily. confidently, as was its way.
Her big, pathetic eyes were down
cast, even aver,ed.
Il wish knew some way to gladden.
you bit. my Brownie" he murmured.
using for almost the first time her ia
ther's 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
qiivered all over with pcnt-np emo
tion. Then the pretty mouth began
to twitch and the lips to tremble, and
hAwx y -.