davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1899-11-26

to say. that there would be some sense In
marrying. by George, II a fellow could
pick up wife like Mrs. Frank.
All the same, the post soon learned that
the supposedly blest aide-de-camp break
tasted solus on what he could forage for
himself before he mounted and rode over
10 his long days labor At Camp Merritt
Another thing was speedily apparent: the
entente cordiale between her radiant self
and the Primes was at an end, II. indeed II
ever existed. She TO be sure was sun
shine itself when they chanced 10 NEE.
at camp. The clouds were on the faces
OF the father and daughter, while Miss
Lawrence maintained a serene neutrality
They were lingering in Frisco, still
hopefully, were the Primes. The detect
ives on duty at the landing stage the
evening Stewards regiment embarked
swore mat no one answering the descrip-
ton OF either OF the two young men had
slipped aboard. Those in the employ of
the sad old man were persistent in the
statement that they had clews-were on
He was sheep worth the shearing. and
so, while Mr.. Prime spent many hours
In consultation with certain of these So
called sleuth-hounds. the young ladies'
took their daily drive through the park
generally picking up the smiling SCHUYLER
somewhere along the way. and rarely
omitting call. with creature comforts
In the way OF baskets of fruit, upon the
happy Billy, whose limits were no longer
restricted 10 his tent, as during the first
week OF his arrest, but whose court was
first of the coming week. Already IL be-
gan TO be whispered that Armstrong hau
a mine TO spring I'm behalf of the defense
but he was so reserved that no one. even
Gordon, sought to question.
Armstrong is a trump" said Billy In
Miss Lawrence, one fair morning. "He'H
knock those charges silly-though I dare
say / could have wormed through All
right; only, you see, | couldn't get out To
find people to give evidence for me -
do you--see him often?" she asled
somewhat vaguely.
armstrong;" exclaimed Billy. I'm oman
eyed amaze. why. he's here with me
every day" 'S
But never" thought Miss Lawrence
in the morning-when we are"
The eventful Monday was duly usharad
in. but not the court. The case never
came 10 trial. Like the crack OF n vhin
an order snapped in by WIZ
on the Thursday previous for three reei
ments-the -teenth regulars and he
"Primeval Dudes" Armstrong; splendid
reglment among them-to prepare for sea
voyage forthwith. More than that. Cen
eral Drayton and STAFF were directed TO
proceed TO Manila at once. Two-thIrds
OF the members OF the court were from
these regiments. new detail would be
The San Francisco call., 1899-11-26

without a word he wrenched the handle
and threw wide the door. Light as a
bird she sprang 10 the ground. her fingers
just touching the extended hand. Side by
side they strolled away across the sunlit
lawn. ne so strong. virile. erect: she so
lissome and graceful. Full of her purpose.
yet fearful that with delay might come
timidity. she looked up in his face.
Colonel Armstrong. l have heard only
to-day that Mr.. Gray is in really serious
danger. VIII you tell me-the truth?"
Just what Armstrong expected il 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 q brief pause before he spoke.
as though he wished time to weigh his
words.
II fear it is true he gravely said.
Then, in a moment: Miss Lawrence, will
you not take my ARM And he felt her
was a moment before she began again:
"They tell me he should have counsel
but Will not heed. l have not seen him
to-day. There is no one in his battalion
II seems. whom he really looks up 20.
He is headstrong and self-cOnfident. Do
YOU think he should-that he needs one?'
And anxiously the brave eyes sought the
strong, soldierly face.
''It would seem so, Miss Lawrence"
She drew long breath. She seemed to
cling a little closer TO his arm. Then
straight came tne next question:
Colonel Armstrong, will you do me a
great favor? VIII you be his counsel %
He was looking directly to the front as
she spoke. Something told him what was
coming yet he could not answer all at
once What did 1t mean, after all, but
Just what he had been thinking for a
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 had 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
Armstrong pulled himself together with
quick stern self-command
Looking down, he saw that her eyes
were filling, her lips paling, and a rush
of tenderness overcame him as he simply
and gently answered:
"Yes. and there is no time to be lost"
All these last days. II will be remem-
bered, Mrs. Frank Garrison, with pretty
CHERRY Ripe" had found shelter at the
Preside. The Palace was no place for a
poor soldiers wife and there was no longer
a grateful nabob as possible source Of
income. 1t is doubtful indeed whether that
The San Francisco call., 1899-11-26

Miss Lawrence, grieve TO say that not
one has any other opinion now.
There could be no doubt of II. Amy
Lawrence turned very pale and her beau
tiful eyes filled.
1T is a shame" she said after a mo-
ments struggle to conquer the trembling
fuential enough-or with brains enough
Uhis with returning color) 10 take up his
case and clear him?"
They were whirling through the beau
tiful drive OF Golden Gate Park, pass
ing company after company at drill. Even
as Amy spoke Schuyler lifted his cap and
Miss Prime bowed and smiled. group
OF regimental officers, four in number,
stood, apparently supervising the work,
and as Miss Lawrence quickly turned TO
see who they might be. her eyes met those
OF Colonel Armstrong. Five minutes
later the carriage. returning. drew up as
though by some order from its occupants,
at that very spot. Armstrong and his ad-
jutant We're still there and promptly
joined them.
Long weeks afterward that morning
lived in Stanley Armstrong; memory: II
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 Ver-
dure of that wonderful park. Earth and
air, distant sea ana dazznne shy, an
seemed glorifying their Creator. Bright
hued birds flashed through the foliage
and filled the ear with their caroling
The plash of fountain fell softly on the
luXuriant growth of leaf and flower close
at hand. 1t was not chance that brought
the stalwart. soldier instantly TO Amy 5
side Her gaze was upon him before the
carriage stopped. and irresstibly drew
him. The man of mature years, the hero
OF sharp combats and stirring campaigns
with a fierce and savage foe, the COM
mander of hundreds OF eager and gallant
men. obeyed without thought of demur
the unSpohen summons of a girl yet in
her teens. There was a new light in rer
clear and beautiful eyes. n flush upon
her soft and rounded cheek little fiut-
ter, possibly. in her kind and loyal heart.
Heaven knows his beat high with an
emotion he could not subdue. though his
bearing was grave and courteous as ever.
but about that sweet and flushing face
there shone the halo of a woman's brave
determination. and no sooner had he
reached the carriage side than, bending
toward him she spoke. Mildred Prime
could not repress n little gasp Of amaze.
Colonel Armstrong. will you kindly
open the carriage door? l want TO talk
with you a moment"
The San Francisco call., 1899-11-26

mine could be further tapped, for the eff
fusive brother-in-law OF the winter gone
by had found disillusion in more ways
than one. Garrison, busy day and 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 COM
ing at all. He had left her with his own
people where at least she would be in
comfort while he took the field. he de-
sired that she should return thither at
once. She determined 10 remain and
gayly tapped his cheek and bade MIN
nave no concern. she could readlly ma
quarters, and she did.
The regular garrison of the Preside was
long since afield. but the families OF many
Of its officers still remained there waile
the houses of two or three, cCmpletely
furnished so far as army furnishings CO.
were there in charge of the post quar- ser-
master. From being the temporary guests
of some old friends Mrs. Frank AMI her
pretty companion suddenly opened house
keeping IN one of these vacated homes,
and all her witchery was called into play
TO make " the most popular resort 4 the
younger element at the post. Money she
might lack, but no woman could ecliT e
her in the dazzle of her dainty toilets.
The Preside was practically at her seet
before she had been established forty
eight hours. Other peoples vehicles trim
died her over to camp whenever she
would drive. Other peoples horses stood
saddled at her door when she would ride.
Other peoples servants flew 10 do uer bid
ding. Women might whisper and frown,
but for the present. at least, she had he
men at her beck and call.
Morn, noon and night she was on the
go the mornings being given over. as a
rule, TO a gallop over the breezy heights
where the brigade or regimental. drills
were going on. the afternoons to calls.
wherein il is ever more blessed 10 give
than TO receive-and the evenings 20 hops
a the assembly room, or To entertaining
-charmingly entertaining-the little
swarm of officers, with occasional angels
of her own sex sure TO drop in and spend
an hour. Cherry played and sang and
made eyes at the boys Mrs. Frank was
winsome and genial and joyous TO every
body, and when Garrison himself arrived
from camp. generally late in the even
ing, looking worn and faded from long
hours at the desk. she had ever COM
forting supper and smiling, playful well
come for her lord. making much OF him
before the assembled company. 20 the end
that more than one callOw sub was heard
The San Francisco call., 1899-11-26

from babyhood. Armstrong. and a more
intense nature / have never heard Of
What he starts in to do he will carry out
II II kills him" And Drayton looked
drearily about the tent as though in
search OF something, he didn't quite know
what. Then he settled back slowly into
his faVorite old chair. DO sit down.
Armstrong. | want To speak with you a
moment" Yet IL was the colonel who
was the first TO break the silence.
May | ask II you have had time to
look at any of the letters. sir?''
DO look as though had time TO do
anythingy said the chief, dropping his
hands and uplifting lined and haggard
work, morn, noon and night. The mass of
detail one has 10 meet here is something
appalling. II weighs on me like a night
the night after the package reached me
When next | sought it the letters were
gone"
How long was that. general?"
Again the weary Hands. with their long,
tapering fingers, came up to the old sol
dier's brow. lie pondered a moment "It
must have, been the next afternoon. l
think. but | can't be sure"
And you had left them-?
I'm the inside pocket OF that old over
coat of mine hanging there on the rear
turned half around in his chair. giancing
wistfully, self-reproachfully thither.
Armstrong arose. and going TO the back
OF the tent made close examination. The
canvas home of the CHIEF was what IS
known as the hospital tent, but instead OF
being pitched with the ordinary ridgepole
and uprights a substantial wooden frame
and floor had first been built, and over
this the stout canvas was stretched
stanch and 1aut as the head OF a drum
ii was all intact and sound Whoever
filched that packet made away with II
through the front. and that, as Arm
strong well knew. was kept tightly laced
as a rule. from the time the General left
il in the morning until his return. III was
never unlaccd except in his presence or
bY his order. Then the deft hands of the
crderies on duty would do the trick I'm a
twinking- Knowing all this, the colonel
quericd further:
You went in town. as / remember. late
that evening and called on the Primes and
other peonc 1T the Palace | think 7
saw you IN tho supper room. There was
much merrimcEt q your table Mrs Car
rison seemed To be the life of the marry
Now. you left your cvercoat with the how
at the cloak stand?' '
NO, Armstrong: that's the odd mart of
IT. / only used the cape that evening
The coat was hanging at it's usual place
order and papers. No, MOI But here
must get back to the office: and what +
wished YOU 10 see was that poor hov's
letter. WHAT can you hope with a nature
like that TO deal WITH"
Armstrong took the missiye hold out 20
him and slowly read II, the general
studying his face the while. The letter
bore no clew as TO the whereabouts of the
writer. II read:
March /, rs
loving kindness. brought shame and sor-
row TO you and ruin to myself, by desert
Ing from West Point when my commits
sion was but few short months away.
IN an nour OF Intense misery. caused by
girl who had won my very soul. and
The San Francisco call., 1899-11-26

other rasping within the hour The
prlgadier being done with him, the divi-
per orderly, and would the colonel please
step 10 the generals tent Canker was
running TO get 10 town. He was possessed
with an insane desire to follow up that
landlady could be bullied into telling
where her boarder was taken and what
manner OF man Tor woman he was. But
down ne had 10 20. three blocks Of camp
10 where tho tents OF division headquar-
ters were pitched. and there sat the vet
eran commander, suave and placid as
'Ah. colonel. touching that matter OF
Lhe Tpbbery OF your cOmmissary stores
suspicion points very strongly TO your
Sergeant Foley DO you think It wise to
have no sentry over him."
NhN, general. said Canker, I've
known that man fifteen years-in fact.
bristled.
Well. pardon me- colonel. but you
hedrQ me evidence against him last night
sider AZ ,bsI gast ne3Ta Of T. Don't you con-
Canker cleared his throat and consid-
cred rs suggested.
Il heard the allegation. sir. but-he
made so clear an explanation to me at
least-and besides. general bright idea
occurring 10 him-'you know thar as com
missary sergeant he is not under my com
mand-"
Tut. tut colonel" interrupted the gem
eral. waxing impatient. The storehouse
adJoins your camp Your sentries guard
IL. Captain Hanford. the commissarv,
says he called on YOU last night 20 notify
you that he had placed the sergeant un-
der arrest. but considered the case so
grave that he asked that "A sentry be
placed over him, and IL wasn't done"
II dislike very much TO infict such in
dignity on deserving soldiers. general -
said Canker; stumbling into a sef-made
trap. Until their guilt is established
they arc innocent under the law"
Apparently you apply different rule
In case OF officers calmly responded tho
general, wide Mr.. Gray. No further
words are necessary. Ob.ige me by hav-
ing that sentry posted at once. Good
morning. sir"
But to Canker's dismay the officer of
the guard made prompt report. Tho sem
try was sent. but the sergcants tent was
empty. The colonel's pet had flown. This
meant more trouble FOR the colonel
Meantime Stanley Armstrong had hied
him TO General Drayton's headquarters
The Office tents were well flied with
clerks. orderlics, aids and other officers
who had come In on business. but this
brief delay the camp commander excused
himself 10 those present and ushered
Armstrong into his own private tent the
scene of the merry festivities the evening
OF Mrs. Garrison's unexpected arrival
There the general turned quickly on HIS
visitor with the low-toned question.
''Well-what have you found2"
Enough 10 give me strong reason for
believing that Morton, so-called, is young
Prime and that your nephew is with him.
sir"
The old soldiers sad eyes lighted with
sudden hope. Yet as he passed his hand
wearily over his forehead the look OF
doubt and uncertainty slowly returned
at accounts for the letters reaching me
here" he said. "but-rve known that BOY
The San Francisco call., 1899-11-26

whose words and letters made me believe
she would become my wife the month
of my graduation. and who, as l now be-
lieve, was then engaged to the man she
married I'm January, l threw myself away
My one thought was to find he--and God
knows what beyond.
"It can never be undone. NV career ts
ended, and i can never look you in the
face again. AT first | thought should
show the letters, one by one, to the man
she married. and ask him what he
thought OF his wife; but that is too low
I hold them because / have a mad long
ing to see her again and heap reproaches
upon her, but If l fail and should feel
at any time that my end is near I'm go
how / was lured. and then, IL you can,
"ROLLIN."
Armstrong's firm lip twitched under his
mustache. The general. with moist eyes,
had risen from his chair. and mechanic
ally held forth his hand. Poor lad"
sighed Armstrong of course-you
"Oh. of course" and Drayton shrugged
his shoulders.
'Neil. well have To 60" and led on to
the misty light without.
over across the way were the headquar-
.ers tents of a big brigade. hopefully
awaiting orders for Manila. To their left.
separated by narrow space, so crowded
were the camus. were the auarterS of
the officers of the -teenth Infantry. and
even through the veil of mist. both sol
diers could plainly see along the line.
Coming toward the gate was Mr. Prime.
escorted by the major. Just behind them
followed Mildred and the attentive
> Schuyler. But where was Miss Law
renee? Armstrong had already seen.
Lingering. she stood at Billy's tent front,
her ear inclined 10 his Drotruding pate.
He was saving something that took time
and she showed no inclination to hurry
him Miss Prime looked back. then she
and Schuyler exchanged significant smiles
and giances. There was rather n lnger-
Ing handclasp before Amy started Even
then she looked back at the boy and
smiled.
HIM said the general, as he gazed
"that youngster wouldn't swap places
with any suhaltern in camp. even If he
Is under charges.
There was no answer from the strong
soldier standing observant at his elbow
But when the chief would have moved
Armstrong detained him. "One more
question. general In case you were
away and wanted something you had left
in this tent. you would send an aid-or
orderly or-would an order signed by one
The San Francisco call., 1899-11-26

CHAPTER XII.
Opinion was divided at Camp Merritt an
10 whether Billy Gray should or should
not stand trial. Confident as were his
friends of his innocence of all completely
In Mortons escape, there remained the
fact that he had telephoned for a car
riage, that a carriage had come and that
a carriage with four men. apparently sol
diers, had driven rapidly downward along
Point LoboS avenue. It was seen Dy half
a dozen policemen as IL shot under cleo
trio light or gas lamp. Then there was the
bundle inside bis rolled overcoat that
Gray had personally handed Morton when
"a prisoner. EVERYBODY agreed he should
have sent ii by orderly-everybody that
Is, except some scores Of young soldiers
I'm the ranks who could see no harm in
il having been done that way, especially
two Delta Sigs' in the -teenth Then
there were the long conferences in the
dark What did they mean? All things
considered the older and wiser heads saw
that, as the lieutenant could or would
make no satisfactory explanation OF these
to his colonel, he must To n court-or take
the consequences.
you've made "A mess of the thing and
an ass OF yourself. Billy" was Gordon's
mary of the matter. and as Canker has
been raped for one thing or another by
camp division and brigade commanders
one after another. he feels that he's got
to prove that he isn't the only fool in the
business. You'd better employ a good
counsel and prepare for fight"
Cant afford II, said Billy briefly.
"and I'm blowed If I'll ask my dear old
dad TO come TO the rescue. He's had TO
cough up (shame on your slang. Billy far
too much already. ] tell you, Gordon
I'm so fixed that | can't explain these
things unless I'm actually brought to
trial It's-it ts--well-you have no secret
societies at the Point as we do at college,
so you can't fathom IL. I'm no more
afraid OF standing trial than / am OF
Squeers-and be ID TO him.
Good Lawd. youngster-you-you aren't
quite such an ass as TO suppose a court
Is going to regard any schoolboy obliCa-
oath Of Office demands. Look hyuh. Billy
your heads just added! | can't work on
YOU but somebody mustu
And Gordon went away very low in his
mind He liked that. boy. He loved a
keen, alert. snappy soldier on drill and
Billy had no superior in the battalion
when IT came 20 handling squad or com
pany. The adjutant plainly saw the peril
of his position ana further consultation
with his brother officers confirmed him In
his fears. Schuyler. the brigade commits
sary being much with the -teenth-
messing with them. in fact, when he was
not dancing attendance on Miss Prime
heard all this camp talk and told her
Thus IL happened that the very next day
when he drove with the cousins (Nr
Prime being the while in conference with
the young deserter. whom the father now
felt confident was his missing bow Miss
Lawrence looked the captain full in the
face with her clear, searching ewes and
pumped at him the point blank Question.
Captain Schuyler, do Mr. Gray's
brother officers really consider him i'm
danger of dismissal?'
The San Francisco call., 1899-11-26
CHAPTER XII

OF your staff be sufficient"
II m, well-yes, l suppose II would,~
said the general
The San Francisco call., 1899-11-26
OnPYT7thf bY : IeonYsoI

S@HE story opens with a scene in the
reeimcntal camp on Preside Hefghts
overlooking San Francisco harbor. Ru-
mora ~ moving orders 20 Manila and
TIE arrival from New York OF lady
visitors at headquarters vary the monotony OF
camp routine. The visitors are IN search Of
runaway o1y who Is believed 70 have entered
tae army, ana Lieutenant Gray. the most
1u.ar yrIub officer In HIS regiment through
h supposed ar4uairtance with one OK the VISIT
iHe 1rf1s Aiss Amy Lawrence. IL envied by
.f I Nf Tho party. escorted by Colonel
Ar.-'. tE. attends a review on the drill
grounds and is disturbed by the sight OF a
A----- l-lner who breaks Anav from HI.
s-.fd. near them and by a collision among
i... 'af.tases Mrs. Garrison. an old RcQua mt
h.Oe '. colonel Armstrong. Is hurt Private
..---h lt arrested on a charge OF stealing
iie ar calls 10 Lieutenant Gray of MS
.tat' .t f0t hein. Gray secures the detail OF
ii.- "tef tim. Tho troops prepare 20 sail ror
.'... airs. s1ui- % Joins the Red Cross
f..i.t- ana ASSISTS az the emharking. Young
Morton ara three other prisoners escape
i.f.reh a tunnel. Gray b. arrested. charged
N.fh having aided the prisoners. A. " est
..nt. The slmmer before. Mrs. Garrison and
lef younger sister. Nlta Terriss, had caused
rlch talK Nlta fell Ga love with prominent
cadet. pGt Latr. boz. hut Mrs. Garrison took hsr
away il frle g. prevent an elopemcnt and mar
E.a.e. i-strah- deserts and his friend. Gouver-
L..r Prime. Who has been infatuated with MrN
car. 81. %, tans away !fom home % J0in the army
at san Francisco. Mia married colonel Frost
ara Latrlhe followed her from place e. plac%
seeking an interview. until be is located IN SAn
lrincisco and suspected 0f being with Morton
The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1899-12-08

!. nice l.na u EresE fruits 81 80
a.s..-. :. Z !: t5>h~Isy'~
The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1899-12-08
AT MASTERS
You Will find Sour and Sweet
Ora nge MarInalade.

Judge E. K. Foster of Gaines
vile, we'll known in Ocala, had
one of his legs amputated In a
New York hospital last Sunday.
DR.. ID. NJ. Smith of this city and
DR.. Foster, a brother of the
Judge; assisted. The judge had
suffered with bis leg for twenty
or thirty years, used crutches,
and it was growing SO much
worse that an operation was
deemed necessary. The patient,
from late reports, is resting
nicely.
Pineapples without tops at
Danes. You pay for the apples
and not the tops.
New moss mattresses, cotton
mattresses, wool mattresses, hair
mattresses, down mattress, ex-
cclslor and cotton top mattresses,
any price. Also mattresses up
holstered and renovated at Nc
liver q MacKay's.