The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-10-15
Lawrence turned very pale and her

III AIMS tAlDQSA tlI4S Will 1tlttA 4liAlS
COLOR TO take up his case and clear
him?''
They were whirling through the beau
tiful drive of the Golnen Gate park,
passing company after company at
drill. Even as Amy spoke Schuyler lift
ed his cap and Miss Prime bowed and
smiled. A group of regimental officers,
four in number, stood, apparently su-
pervising the work and as Miss Law
renee quickly turned to see who they
might be, her eyes met those of Colonel
Armstrong. Five minutes later the car
riage returning drew up as though by
some order from its occupants, at that
very spot. Armstrong and his adjutant
were still there and promptly Joined
I them.
Long weeks afterward that morning
lived in Stanley Armstrong; memory.
1t was one of those rare August daYs
when the wind blew from the southeast,
beat back the drenching Pacific fogS
and let the warm sun pour upon the
brilliant verdure of that wonderful
park Earth and air distant sea and
dazzling sky, all seemed g.orifying thsir
Creator. Bright-hued birds flashed
through the foliage and thrilled the ear
with their caroling. The plash of foun-
tain fell softly on the breeze, mingled
with the rustling of the luxuriant
growth of leaf and flower close at hand.
1t was not chance that brought the
stalwart soldier instantly to Amy's
side. Her gaze was upon him before
the carriage stopped, and irresistibly
drew him. The man of mature wears.
the hero of sharp combats and stirring
campaigns with a fierce and savage foe,
the commander of hundreds of eager
and gallant men, obeyed without
thought of demur the unspoken sum-
mons OLA girl yet in her teens. There
was a new light in her clear and beau
tiful eyes, a flush upon her soft and
grounded cheek, little fiutter, possibly,
in her kind and loyal heart Heaven
knows his beat high with an emotion
he could not subdue, though his bear
ing was grave and courteous as ever,
but about that sweet and flushing face
there shone the halo of woElan's
brave determination, and no sooner
had he reached the carriage side than,
bending toward him she spoke. Mildred
Prime could not repress little gasp OF
amaze.
Colonel Armstrong, will you kindly
open the carriage door? l want to talk
with you a moment
Without a word he wrenched the ham
die and threw wide the door. Light as
a bird she sprang to the ground. her
fingers just touching the extended
hand. Side by side they strolled away
across the sunlit lawn. he so strong,
virile, erect. she so lissome and grace
ful. Full of her purpose, yea fearful
that with delay might come timidity,
she looked up in his face:
colonel Armstrong, l have heard
only today that Mr.. Gray is in really
serious danger. VIII you tell me-the
truth?'
Just what Armstrong expected 1t
might be hard to say. The light that
had leaped to his eyes faded slowly
and his face lost something of the flush
of robust health. There was a brief
pause before he spoke as though he
wished time to weigh his words.
I fear it is true" he gravely said.
Then in moment: Miss Lawrence.
viii you not take my arm?' And he
felt her hand tremble as she placed 1t
there. 1t was a moment before she
began again.
They tell me he should have coun-
sci. but will not heed. L have not seen
him today. There is no one in his bat
TALON, it seems. whom he really looks
up to. He is headstrong and self-cOn-
fident. Do you think he shOuld-that
he needs one?" And anxiously the
brave eyes sought the strong, soldierly
face.
1T would seem so, Miss Lawrence"
She drew a long breath. She seemed
to cling a little closer to his arm. Then
straight came the next question:
Colonel Armstrong, will you do me
a great favor? VIII you be his coun-
sel2"
He was looking directly to the front
as she spoke. Something told him
what was coming, yet he could not an
swer all at once. What did it mean,
after all, but just what he had been
thinking for week, that the girls
fresh young heart had gone out to this
merry. handsome, soldierly lad, whom
he, too, had often marked with keen
appreciation when in command of his
big company at drill What possible
thought of hers could he, more than
twice her years." have ever hoped to
win. She mad come to him in her sore
trouble-and her lovers-as she would
have gone to her father had he been a
soldier schooled in such affairs. Arm
strong pulled himself together with
quick. stern self-command. 9
Looking down, he saw that her eyes
We're filling, her lips paling, and rush
Of tenderness overeame him as he sim
ply and gently answered:
Yes, and there is no time to be
lost"
All these last days. it will be remem-
bered. Mrs. Frank Garrison, with
pretty Cherry Ripe" had found shell
ter at the Preside. The Palace was
no place for a poor soldiers wife. and
there was no longer a grateful nabob
as a possible source OF income. 1t is
doubtful, indeed, whether that mine
could be further tapped, for the eff
fusiVe brother-in-law of the winter
gone by had found disillusion in more
night with his staff duties, had plainly
to tell his capricious wife that she had
come without his knowledge or consent
and that he could not think of meeting
the expense of even a two weeks stay
in town. He could not account for her
coming at all. He had left her with his
own people where at least she would
be in comfort while he took the field.
He desired that she should return
thither at once. She determined to
remain and gayly tapped his cheek
and babe him have no concern. She
could readily find quarters, and so she
did. The regular garrison of the Pre-
sidio was long since afield. but the fam
lilies OF many of its officers still re-
NAMED there, while the houses of two
or three. completely furnished so far
as army furnishings go, were
there in charge of the post
quarperlnaSter- From being the tempo
rary guest of some old friends, Mrs.
Frank and her pretty companion sud
denly opened housekeeping in one Of
these vacated homes. and all her witch
cry was called into play To make il the
most popular resort Of the younger ele-
ment at the post. Money she might
lack, but no woman could eclipse her
in the dazzle of her dainty toilets The
Preside was practically at her feet be-
fore she had been established forty
eight hours. Other peoples vehicles