Omaha daily bee., 1899-09-10

long been looked upon as an exclusive sort
of fellow-a man who had no m and
not many companions, yet, officers and
soldiers, he held the respect and esteem OF
the entire command, even of those regi-
ments in which there are not one or W
characters who are best seen and
studied through a binocular. Without
being sympathetic, said his critics
Armstrong was Square," but his
critics had scant means of knowing
whether he was sympathetic or not. He
was q steadfast fellow, an answering, un-
compromising sort OF man. a man who
would never have done for a diplomat, and
could never have been elected to office. But
he was truthful. Just, and. as the English
officer reluctantly said of Lucan, whom he
hated: "Yes-d-n him-he's brave" The
men whom he did not seem to like IN the
army and who disliked him admitted,
among themselves at least, that their
reasons were comprised In the above
recorded, regretable, but u~nmistakable fact
he didn't like them. Another trait, I'M
popular, was that he knew when and how
to say no. He smoked too much. perhaps
and talked too little for those who would
use his words as witnesses against hiln'
He never gambled, he rarely drank, ne
never lent nor borrowed. He was a bach
elor, yet would never join a mess but
kent house himself, and usually had some
favored comrade living with him. He was
40 and did not look 35. He was tall, erect.
athletic, hardy and graceful In build, and
his face was one Of the best to be seen in
many a line Of officers at parade. His eyes
were steel gray and clear and penetrating,
his features clear-cut. almost too delicately
cut thought some of the best friends he
had among the men. His hair was brown,
sprinkled literally with silver; his mouth,
an admirable mouth in every way, was
shaded and half hidden by a long, dropping
mustache, to which, some men thought and
some women said, his ~tapering white fingers
paid too much attention., but / doubt II a
knowledge of this criticism would have led
to the ~faintest alteration In the habit. Cen
orally the expression Of Armstrong; face
was grave, and, on duty, a trife stern; and
not ten people In the world were aware
what humor could twinkle In the clear, keen
eyes, or twitch about the corners of that
mobile mouth. There were not five who
knew the tenderness that lay In hiding
there, for Armstrong had few living kindred
and they were men. There lived not, as
he drove this glorious August morning 70 the
breezy uplands beyond tho camps, one woman
who could say she had seen those eyes Of
Armstrong; melt and glow with love. As
for Amy Lawrence. she was not dreaming
OF such a thing. She was not even looking
at him. Her thoughts at the moment were
drifting back to that usually light-hearted
boy who stood gazing so dlsconsolately aftor
them as they drove away. her eyes were
intent upon an approaching group that pres
emily reclaimed her wandering thoughts.
Coming up Point Lobos avenue STROBE a
party OF four-all soldiers. One of these.
wild-eyed, bareheaded, disheveled, his cloth
ing torn. his wrists dashed behind him,
walked between two armed guards. The
fourth, a sergeant. followed at their heels.
Miss Lawrence had Just time to note that
the downcast face was dark and oval and
refined, when 1t was suddenly uplifted at
sound OF the whirring carriage wheels, A
light Of recognition. almost of terror, flashed
arcoss 1t. and with one bound the prisoner
sprang from between his guards, dove al
most under the noses Of the startled team
and darted through the wide open doorway
OF a corner saloon. He was out OF sight in
a second.