Omaha daily bee., 1899-10-15


going TO regard any schoolboy obligation as
paramount to that which your oath OF Office
demands. Look hyuh Billy, your heads !
just adCled! can't work on you, but some
body must"
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 TO handling squad or company.
The adjutant plainly saw the peril OF his
position, and further consultation with his
brother officers confirmed him in his fears,
Schuyler, the brigade cOmmissary, being
much with the -teenth-messing with
them, in fact when he was not dancing at
tendance on Miss Prime-heard all this
camp talk and told her. Thus 1t happened
that the very next day when he drove with
the cousins MIR Prime being the while in
conference with the detectives still SECURING
the city for the young deserter, who the
father now felt confident was his missing
boy), Miss Lawrence looked the captain full
In the face with her clear, searching eyes
and pumped at him the point blank oues-
tion.
Captain Schuyler do Mr.. Gray's brother
officers really consider him in danger OF
dIemissal?"
Miss Lawrence. I grieye to say that not
one has any other opinion now"
There could be no doubt Of it, AMY Law.
renee turned very pale and her beautiful
eyes filled.
1T Is a shame!" she said after mo-
ments struggle to conquer the trembling Of
her lips. 'Has-is there no one-inGuentistI
enough-or with brains enough CthIs with
returning COLOR to take up his case and
clear him2"
They were whirling through the beautiful
lri ,F -,
uIl'e OF the Golden Gate park, passing COM
pahy AFTER company at drill Even as Amy
spoke schuyler lifted his cap and Miss Prime
bowed and smiled group of regimentaI
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 adjutant were still there and
promptly Joined them
Long weeks afterward that morning Iived
In Stanley Armstrong; memory 1t was one
OF those rare August days when the wind
DleW from the southeast, beat back the
urehchlng Pactfic fogs, and let the warm sun
pour upon the brilliant verdure OF that
wonderful park. Earth and air, distant sea
ana dazzllng sky, all seemed glorifyng their
creator Bright-hued birds flashed through
the foliage and thrilled the ear with their
caroling. The plash OF fountain fell sofr1v
on the breeze mingled with the rustling Of
the luxuriant growth OF leaf and flower
close at hand. 1t was not chance that
brought the stalwart soldier instantly IN
Amy's side. Her gaze was upon him he
fore the carriage stopped, and irresistibly
drew him. The man of mature years the
nero or sharp Combats and stirring cam
paigns with fierce and savage foe the
commander of hundreds Of eager and gall |
liant men, obeyed without thought OF demur
the unspoken summons Of girl yet in her
teens Ihere was a new light in her clear
ana beautiful eyes, flush upon her soft
ana rounded cheek, little flutter, possibly, |
In her kind and loyal heart Heaven knows
his best high with an emotion he could not |
subdue, though his bearing was grave and
courteous as ever, but about that sweet and
HashlnR face there shone the halo of a |
woman's brave determination, and no soone,
had he reached the carriage side than. bend
Ing toward him. she spoke. Mildred Prima
could not repress little gasp Of amaze.
Colonel Armstrong, will you kindly oneu
The carriage door? ! want TO talk with YOU
a moment"
without 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 strolIed away across the sunlit lawn, he
80 strong, yirie, erect, she so liesome and |
graceful Full Of her purpose, vet fearful
that with delay might come timidlty. she
looked up in his face:
Colonel Armstrong | have heard only
t'uay that Mr. Gray is In really serious dan
ger Will you tell me-the truth?"
Just what Armstrong expected II might he
hard 10 say The light that had leaped to |
his eyes faded slowly and his face lost
something OF the flush OF robust health |
Iherc was brief pause before he spoke as |
though he wished time to weigh his words.
i fear 1t Is true" he gravely said. Thea
In moment: Miss Lawrence. will you not
take my arm?" And he felt her hand tremble
as sho placed it there. 1t was a moment
before she began again.
They tell me he should have counsel but
VIII not heed ! have not seen him today
There is no one in his battalion, 1t seems,
whom he really looks up to. He Is head
strong and self-conident DO you think he
should-that he needs one?" And anxIously
tho brave eyes sought the strong, soldierly
face.
1T would seem so, Miss Lawrence"
She drew long breath. She seemed TO
cllng a little closer to his arm. Then
straight came the next question:
Colonel Armstrong will you do me a
great favor? VIII you be his counseI?"
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 it mean, after all. but lust
what he had been thinking for week, that
the girls fresh young heart had gone out |
to this merry handsome 81 ldierly lad whom
he too, had often marked with keen ap-
probation when in command Of his big com
pany al drll, What possible thought Of
hers could he more than twice her years"
have ever hoped to win She had come TO
him In hcr sore troube-and her lovers .
as she would have gone TO her father had
he been soldier schooled in such affars |
Armstrong pulled himself together with
quick. stern self-command
Looking down, he saw that her eyes were
hlling her lips paling, ana a rush of tender
ness oyercame him as he simply and gently |
answered:
"Yos. and there Is no time to be lost"
.
All these last days, It will be remembered,