Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-12

himself face to face with Witchie Garrison,
kerchief waving, beaming, smiling, throwing
kisses innumerable to the party he had SC
lately left. The hot blood rushed to his fore
head, an angry light to his eyes, as she
nodded blithely, forbearingly, forgivingly al
him. Dear boy" she cried. in her clear
penetrating treble, "how could you be ex-
pected to see any one after leaving-her?' p
But Cows arm was linked in his at the very
instant and led him glowerng away, leaving
her close to the edge of the crowded dock
smiling sweetness, blessing and bliss upon
silent and unresponsive group, and waving
kerchief and kisses to them until, far from
shore, the Doric headed out to sea.
They were nearing home again Day and
night for nearly week the good ship had
borne them steadily onward over IA sea of
deepest blue, calm and unruffled as the light
that shone in Amy's eyes. Hours Of each
twenty four Armstrong had been the con-
stant companion, at first of the trio, then of
the two--for Mr.. Prime had found kindred
spirit in veteran merchant homeward
bound from China-then of one alone for
Miss Prime had found another interest, and
favor in the eyes of a young tourist paying
his first visit to our shores, and so it hap
pened that before the voyage, all too brief,
was half over, Amy Lawrence and Arm
strong walked the spacious deck for hours
alone or sat in sheltered hooks. gazing out
upon the sea. The soft, summer breezes
of the first few days had given place to
keener, chilier air The fog ahead told of the
close proximity of the Farallones. Heavier
wraps had replaced the soft fabrics of the
Hawaiian saunterngs. But warmth and
gladness, coupled with strange new shyness
in his presence, were glowing In her fresh
young heart. One day she had said to him:
You have not told me how you came to
leave there-just now," and it was moment
before he answered
That was the surgeons doing. They sent
me back from the front because the wound
did not properly heal and then ordered a
sea voyage until it did; but l turn back at
once from San Francisco"
She was silent few seconds. This was
unlocked for and unwelcome news. II
thought she said, lat least Gov. heard
Dr. Frank say it would be four months be-
fore you could use that arm. She pluckei
at the fringe of the heavy shawl he bad
wrapped about her as she reclined in the
low steamer chair, but the white lids veiled
her eyes.
Possibly" answered Armstrong; but
you see l do not have to use it much at any
time I'm all right otherwise and there will
soon be need of me-"
More campaigning?" she anxiously in
quired, her eyes one moment uplifting.
Probably Those fellows have no idea of
quitting"
Another interval &c silence The long, lazy,
rolling swell of the Pacific had changed dur
ing the day on an abrupt and tumultuous
upheaval that tossed the Dorc like cork
and made locomotion problem. The rising
urind ha WhirliDp
its bows, and Mildreds young man, casting
about for dry corner, had deposited his
fair charge on a bench along the forward
deck house and was scouting up and down
for steamer chairs. Armstrong had drawn
his close to that in which Miss Lawrence
reclined, her knitted steamer cap pulled well
forward over her brow. His feet were
braced against stanchion His eyes were
intent upon her sweet face. He had no
thought for other men, even those in similar
plight. His gaze, though unhampered by
the high peak of his forage cap, compre-
hended nothing beyond the rounded outline
of that soft cheek. Her eyes, well-nigh hid
den by her shroudng Tam" saw the
searching son of Albion and told her his
need The best of women will find excuse
for interruption at such moments when sure
of the devotion of the man who sits with
fateful question quivering on his lips; and, |
even when she longs to hear those very |
words, will find means to defer them as |
kitten dallies with a captured mouse or /,
child saves to the very last the sweetest |
morse of its birthday cake. Not ten minutes |
before, when the Hon. BERTHE Shafto had !
started impulsvely toward the vacant char
by Armstrong; side, firm hand detained
him, and Miss Prime had hastily interposed.
mot on any account" she said, imper-
iously Cant you see?" And Mr. Shafto,
adjusting his monocle, had gazed Aong and
fixedly, and then, transferring his gaze to
her, had said:
"Eh-eh-yes. It's not ours, suppose you
mean"
But now Amy Lawrence was beckoning,
and he made a rush for the rail, then worked
his way aft, hand over hand. Every NOV
able thing on deck was taking sudden slant
to starboard, and the sea went Kissing by
almost on a level with the deck as next she
spoke Surely soldier needs both arms
in battle, and YOU. Oh, certainly, Mr..
Shafto, take that chair" she added. Arm
strong glanced up suddenly.
"oh! That you, shafto? Yes; take 1t by
all means"
Anything, thought he. rather than that