Daily camera., 1899-11-29
the father in the distant east.

business of his own. Written assur-
ances that he couldn't be mistaken lost
weight. and Mr.. Prime, disheartened,
wa merely waiting the report of an
agent who thought he had traced the
boy to Tampa. In "a hours he might
spirit his daughter away on another
chase. and then there would be no fur
ther warrant for Miss Lawrence's re-
naming in the city. She would return
to her lovely home in one of the loveliest
of California valleys, miles away from
the raw fogs and chills of the Golden
Gate, and would be no more seen among
the camps. That, said Billy Gray TO
himself. would take every bit of sun
shine from his life.
All this detail, or much of it, he had
learned from the fair lips of Miss Law
renee herself for Mr.. Prime and his
daughter seemed to shrink from speak
ing of the matter From the first Miss
Amy had had to take the young gentle
man under her personal wing, as it
were. In her desire to aid her uncle
and cousins in every way, and know
ing them to be strangers to the entire
camp, she had eagerly sent for him as
the first familiar or friendly object she
saw. Then when he came and was pre-
sented, and proved to possess little in
terest to the careworn man and his
anxious and devoted child, it devolved
upon Miss Lawrence to make much of
Billy in proportion as they made little
of him, and for three days or SO the
blithe young fellow seemed fairly TO
walk on air. Moreover, she had taken
him into family condolences in telling
him of the missing son and brother,
for both her uncle and cousin, she said,
were so sensitive about it they could
not talk 10 anyone except when actual
ly necessary. They had leaned, ss ii
were, on the general and on Col. Arm
strong for a day, and then seemed to
draw away from both. They even
seemed to take it much amiss that her
father had to be absent when they
came, though they had sent no word,
until late, of their coming. lie was OF
his return, might arrive any hour, but
so might they go. Now if Billy could
only discover that missing son
Then came an inspiration, Pencil
ing brief note he gave it to a soldier of
his company and bade him take it to
the guard tents. 1t told Morton of the
coloners orders, issued that very day,
and bade him be patient-he hoped and
believed opportunity would be afforded
for an interview tina, evening. Then he
hunted up a subaltern of his own grade
whom he knew would probably be the
detail for officer-of-the-guard that
evening. Brooke he said, will YOU
swap tours with me If Gordon's willing?
l have-Id like nightly to exchange
If it's all the same to you.'
Brooke hesitated. He had social
hopes and aspirations of his own. BY
swapping" with Gray he might find
himself doomed TO night in camp
when he had accepted for some pleas
ant function in town.
Thought you were keen to 20 in to-
night-right after retreat" he hazard
ed.
We'll, was" said Gray, pulling his
to shut out the glare of the westering
sun. But Eve got-a new wrinkle"
Some bid for Friday? That's your
tour, isn't it?" And Brooke began
counting on his fingers. wait till /
look at my notebook. Friday? Why,
that's the night of the Bur,on's card
party-thought you didn't know
them"
Il don't" said Gray, glad enough to
escape the other question. And you
hate card parties, you know you do.
It's go, is it? I'll see Gordon at once"
And off he went. leaving Brooke to won
der why he should be so bent on the ar
rangement.
But Gordon proved an unexpected
foe to the plan. Cant be done, Billy"
said he, sentcntiously. "Canker watch
es those details like hawk. He hasn't
forgotten you only came off two days
ago, and if l were to mount you to-
night he'd mount me-with both feet"
Think there's any use in asking
him?" queried the boy, tossing back
ward glance toward Canker's tent.
Not unless you're suffering for an
other spub. That man loves to say no
as much as any girl l ever asked, and
he doesn't do Il to be coaxed, either
Best leave il alone, Billy"
And then the unexpected happened.
Into the tent, with quick impetuous
step. came the commanding officer him-
self. and something had occurred to
stir that gentleman TO the core. His
eyes were swapping and his head was
high.
'Mr. Gordon" said he, here's more
of this pilfering business, and now
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