Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-11

flow OF airy chat and laughter, carried her
through the ordeal The two young SOL
diers stood stiffiy back, red-faced and
black-browed; the father, palld and cold,
could hardly force himself to unbend vet
his lips mumbled the name Mrs Frost -
as he bowed at presentation; Miss Prime
stood erect and trembling; Miss Lawrence,
with brave eyes but heightened color. To
leave at once was impossible; to remain
was more than embarra ssment. Most gal
lanty did they battle Mrs. Marsden and
Mrs. Frank, to lift the wet blanket from
the group and relieve the strain. Reward
came to crown their efforts in strange
unlnoked-for fashion HOOfs, wheels and
flashing lights were again a the entrance
gate. even Mrs. Frank, sparkling with
animation, distributing her gay good humor
over the silent semi-crcle suddenly cx-
claimed "Oh, If I'd only known you were
here, | could have provided the one thing
TO make our reunion complete If we We're
not going on at daybreak I should do it
yet" Then hOofs and wheels and lights
had come to a stop at the front of the
house, and in measured, martial tread a
mans footsteps were heard upon the lanai
Then, all of a sudden, with a cry of ioy
Nitchie burst in again: Should do it'll
shall do It, Said I not l was the fairy
queen? Behold me summon my subjects
from the ends of the ohedient earthr' And
waving her parasol as she would a wand
gayly pirOuetting as she had that night in
the tent at old Camp Merritt, she danced
forward: Sound ye the trumpets, slaves
Hail to the chief, See. the conquerine hero
comes! Enter Brevet Brgadier General
Stanley Armstrong though his arm is
anything but strong"
Bowling gravely to the sprite in front of
him. vaguely to the group in the shaded
light at the edge of the lanai and ioyously
to the little hostess, almost Historically
she sprang forward and clasped his hands,
the colonel of the Primeval Dudes stood
revealed before them
Colonel Armstrong, How-when did YOU
get here? What does this mean? Is your
arm quite well again? Why didn't YOU let
On1 p-fv ,f,,xx
tions rained upon him by Mrs Marsden.
followed by the somewhat illogical state
ment that she was actually breathless with
surprise. >''
Shall I answer in their order?, said he
smiling down at her flushed and toyous
lace. BY the Sedswick. This afternoon.
II nat wished to see you. Doing quite well
because l didn't know myself until two
peering beyond her she would have turned
MIN I" her other guests had not Mrs. Gar
ilsoh made instant and impulsive rush upon
As fairy queen or fairy podmotber 7
cialm flrst speech" she gayly cried. What
tldlngS of my licge lord and where is here
H. ilS f taIS SISTER So she demanded. waving
IN front of her her filmy parasoI and
Inoue,ung with almost girlish grace
- o9ptdIh Garrison was looking fairly well
G ne Gay sailed, he answered briefly; and
fau ha,,i F. r1st ieft for Hong Kong only a
LtW hours before, in hopes, as we unSar
STOOD or hnding Mrs. Frost at yoLoba,,a
Permit me- he added with grave oI,t "a
l nave but little time, as | transfer To- 81
Doric tonight" W me
shade spread over the radiant faoo o,,o
instant but was as quickly swept away
hHi l nave not met your guests " he I'm
IshGd' turning to Mrs Marsden as he snola
anu ana quietiy passing Mrs. Garrison IN 90
dolhg. The next moment he was sbai,;
hands with the entire party coming Iast -
all to Amy Lawrence. last VI
They told me of your being baro,, +,
said. looking straight into her clear baa,,o
lllui eyes; and [ thought | might and ,1o,,
at Mrs Marsdens. She was our hest f,iend
"hen we were in Honolulu. They told me
100 mat you desired to go by the Doric
put feared she would be crowded he co.,
tlhued, turning to Mr.. Prime. There is
tlle vacant stateroom now Its occupents
nave ueclded 10 stay over and visit the
| islands There will be, 1 think, another y
ANA drawing letter from an inner pocket
ne calmly turned to Nita, now shrinkine
almost fearfully behind her sister ."Tbe
colonel gave this to me to hand 10 yc,,
Mrs. FROST, on the chance of your heir o
mere lie Will arrive by next weeks stean1
| er, and. pardon me, 1t is something T think
you should see at once as change in Your
! plans may be necessary
1t was vain for Margaret 10 ;ntsrn,s.
The letter was safely lodged in her sister
hands. with so significant a message tha +
II mad to be opened and read without de-
lay. Gayly excusing herself. and with q
low reverence and comprehensive smile to
| the assembled party, she ushered her sis
! Ter INTO the long parlor and the curtain
| Tell behind them. There followed a few
minutes or brisk conference upon the
! lanai, the Marsdens pleading against, the