The San Francisco call., 1899-12-10

any man even family resembling poor
Latrobe; and Witchie Garrison was be-
ginning 10 take heart and look upon that
threatening letter as mad piece OF
blur when one day the unexpected
happened.
The men OF the house. Frost and Gar
rison, were accustomed. when the later
was at home. TO breakfast together quito
early. Then the colonel would drive OF
10 the Ayuntamiento, in the walled city,
and Frank would mount his pony and ride
away 10 his long days duties. Later tho
sisters would have their leisurely break
last secure in the protection of tho
guard. would give their Chinaman chef
orders for the day. and send him off 10
make such purchases as were possible in
the now 6canty market Then reading
writing, receiving callers OF their own sex
would III up the morning. There would
be brief siesta after luncheon, an hour
or so on the broad veranda overlooking
me Sparkling bay then dress and the in
evitable drive; OF Armstrong they had
was busy with his men over toward East
Paeo. OF Billy Gray Of late they had seen
rather too much. On one preteXt after
another be was now forever coming TO the
house, and Witchle was beginning to wish
that Canker had had his way; but Canker
had failed dismally.
The witnesses he counted on proved
dumb or departed, and II had pleased the
general In chief 10 send him with a regi-
ment or Infantry and a brace of guns 10
garrison an important point on an ada
OF the impossibility OF his substantiating
his charges against Gray the youngster
had some shadow OF excuse for his violent
outbreak Rather than bring up a scandal
IL was best 10 drop the matter entirely
Gray had been sent TO duty with the
-teenth before he was thoroughly well.
sna good-hearted battalion commander.
taking pity on his obvious change for the
worse, had found occasion after the first
ten days at the front 10 send him back
10 quarters In Malate. instead Of inces-
al NM Tnna
toward Sincalon Church: and while he
seldom came IN the evening when num-
bers or visitors were present the boy had
way OF dropping In between and 4
when he could generally count on a few
moments, AZ least, alone with Mrs Frank
She had nursed him well IN his slow
conNalescence. had made deep impression
on his boyish heart. lacerated as he con-
ceiNed u by disappointment at home.
she had won him 10 her service as she
thought. until she felt sure he was ready
10 DO almost anything for her sake. then
she had put him 10 the test and ne had
failed her. Believing. as she did that the
boN wei knew the whereabouts Of the al
legeQ oeserter Morton and his friend
Mia reckless lover. she had counted on
MIN 10 wiring from them the letters poor
I,atro6e declared he still possessed: but
me three weeks had passed without n
sign, and II was becoming evident 10 her
urelv.
One brilliant afternoon. as she Law or
the broad. cane-bottomed bedstead with
It's overhanEing canopy OF filmy netting
she drowsily heard tho corporal posting
the new sentry IN the marbled corridor
below, and then marching the relief 10 the
rear gate opening 70 the beach Nita was
aiready up and moving about IN her room
Margaret heard the rustic OF her skirts
and the light patter Of her. tinv feet as
she sped over the hardwood floor OF the
main salon She heard her throwing back
The sliding shutters that kept out the
glare OF the sun in the morning hours.
and knew that she was gazing out over
the tree-dotted lawn toward the gate
where the guard lounged through the