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


discussion, pro and, con- both young SOL
diers Joined, both saying go" and promis-
ing to follow by the Sedgwick. In this
family council, despite the vivid interest
Armstrong felt in the result, neither Amy
Lawrence nor himself took any part. Side
by side a the snowy railing over the break
ing sea they stood almost silent listeners.
Suddenly there came from the front again
the sound of hoofs and wheels, loud and
distinct at the start, then rapidly dying
away with the increasing distance. Miss
Lawrence turned and looked inquiringly into
the eyes she well knew were fixed upon
her. Mrs. Marsden hestated one moment,
then stepped across the lanai. peered into
the parlor and entered 1t a minute
before she returned, and in that minute the
decisive vote was cast, the carriage or
dered.
"Oh, ought to have known how It would
be if / left you momentr she cried de-
spa1rlngly, on her temperance, little
folded paper in her hand. But at least
you must stay half an hour. We can tele-
phone direct to the dock and secure the
state rooms, if go you must on the Doric
Yes" she continued lowering her voice.
they are not going farther until Col.
Frost comes. Mrs. Garrison explains that
her sister was really too i'll and too weak
to come out here. but she thought the drive
might do her good. She thought best to
slip quietly away with her, and bids me
say goodnight to you ALL"
So, when next day the Doric sailed, four
new names appeared upon the passenger
list, and the last men down the stage al
ready trembling on the rise " We're two
young fellows in white uniform, who turn
ed as they sprang to the dock and waved
their jaunty caps. Join you in ten days
at Frisco! shouted the shorter Of the two,
gazing upward and backward at the quar-
tet on the promenade deck. "Oh beg a
thousand pardons, he added hastily, as he
pumped against some slender object, and,
wheeling about to pick up a tiimsy white
fan, he found himself face to face with
Witchie Garrison, kerchief waving, BEAM
ing, smiling, throwing kisses 10
to the party he had 50 lately left. The
hot blood rushed to his forehead, an angry
light to his eyes, as she nodded blithely,
forbearingly, fOrgivingly at him. Dear
boy she cried. in her clear penetrating
treble, how could you be expected to see
any one after leaving-her?' But Cows
arm was linked in his at the very instant
and led him giowering away, leaving her
close to the edge of the crowded dock
smiling sweetness, blessing ard bliss upon
silent and unfesponsive group, and wav-
lrg kerchief and kisses to them until far
from shore, the Doric headed out to sea.
They We're nearing home again. Day and
night Tor nearly week the good ship had
borne them steadily onward over a sea of
deepest blue, calm and unruffied as the
light that shone in Amy's eyes. Hours of
each tW2nty-four Armstrong had been the
constant companion at first of the trio,
then of the tWO-for Mr.. Prime had found
kindred spirit in a veteran merchant
homeward bound from China-then of one
alone; for Miss Prime had found another
interest and favor in the eyes of a young
tourist paying his first visit to our shores,
and 50 it happened that before the voyage
all too brief, was half over Amy Lawrence
and Armstrong walked the spacious deck
for hours alone or sat in sheltered hooks,
gazing out upon the sea. The soft, sum
mer breeze3 of the first few days had given
place TO keener, chillier air. The fog ahead
told of the close proximity of the F'aral-
loneS. Heavier wraps had replaced the soft
fabrics of the Hawaiian saunterings. But
warmth and giadness, coupled with
strange new shyneSs in his presence, We're
glowing in her fresh young heart. One day
me how you came to leave there-just
now and it was a moment before he an
swered.
That was the surgeons doing. They
sent me back from the front because the
wound did not properly heal, and then or
dered sea voyage until it did; but 1 turn
back at once from San Francisco"
She was silent a few seconds. This was
unlocked for and unwelcome news. Il
thought" she said, "at least Gov. heard
DR.. Frank say it would be four months be
fore you could use that arm" She plucked
at the fringe of the heavy shawl he had
wrapped about her as she reclined in the
low steamer chair; but the white lids yelled
her eyes.
Possibly" answered Armstrong; but
you see, l do not have to use 1t much at
any time. I'm all right otherwise, and
there will soon be need of me-"
More campaigning?' she anxiously in
quired, her eyes one moment uplifting.
Probably. Those fellows have no idea
of quitting"
Another interval of silence. The long,
lazy, rolling swell of the Pacific had
changed during the day TO an abrupt and
tGmultuOus upheaval that tossed the DOric
like cork and made loccmotiOn a problem.
The rising wind and sea sent the spray
whirling from her bows, and Mildred'5
young man, casting about for dry corner,
had deposited his fair charge on a bench
along the forward deck house and vas
scouting up and down for steamer chairs
Armstrong had drawn his close to that in
which Miss Lawrence reClined, her knitted
steamer cap pulled well forward over her
brow. His feet We're braced against a
stanchion. His eyes were intent upon her
sweet face He had no thought for other
men, even those in similar plight. HIS
gaze, though unhampered by the high peak
Of his forage cap. compTehended nothing
beyond the rounded outline of that soft
check. Her eyes, well nigh hidden by her
shroudiug Tam" saw the searching son
of Albion and told her his need. The best
of women Will find excuse for interruption
at such moments, when sure of the devo-
ton of the man who sits with a Hateful
question qufvering on his lips; and, even
when she longs to hear those very words, will
find means to defer them as kitten dailies
with a captured mouse or a child saves to
the very last the sweetest morsel of her
birthday cake. Not ten minutes before,
when the Honorable BERTHE Shafto had
started impulsively toward the vacant chair
by Armstrong; side, a firm hand detained
him, and Miss Prime had hastily inter
posed. Not on any account said she,
imperiousy Cant you see?' And Mr..
Shafto, adjusting his monocle, had gazed
long and fxedly, and then, transferring his
gaze to her, had said:
"Eh-eh-yes. It's not ours, 1 suppose
you mean
But now Amy Lawrence was reckoning,
and he made rush for the rail, then
worked his way aft, hand over hand.
Every movable on deck was taking a
sudden slant to starboard, and the
went Kissing by almost on level with the
deck as next she spoke. Surely a solder
needs both arms in battle, and YOU
Oh, certainly, Mr.. Shafto, take that chair
she added. Armstrong glanced up sud
denly.
''Oh. that you, shafto? Yes; take it by
all means"
Anything thought he, rather than that
they should come here. The young Briton
stepped easily past between them and the
rail-behind there was no rOom-and,
swinging the long, awkwardly modelled
fabric to his broad shoulder started back
just as a huge wave heaved suddenly under
the counter, heeled the steamer far over
to port threw him off his balance and his
foot catching at the bottom of her chair
b,,rIad hin, load and all. Stra iah