Omaha daily bee., 1899-09-03

waiting for no description. bowed with
quiet grace and dignity 20 the chief and
smiling q bit e%ravely. eoi1.
"Uncle LEFT word that he would soon re
turn, general, hut he has been gone with
Colonel Armstrong nearly an hour. hope
we have not taken too great a liberty and
her glance turned to the substantial tea
service on the rude camp table.
oh. I'm responsible for that-and for
any and every ~iuiquity here committed.
solely because know our general too well
to believe he would allow furnishing dam
sells to faint for lack OF sustenance,' IL
was Mrs. Garrison. OF course, who spoke.
Il simply set Frank and his fellows TO
work, with the result that tea and biscuit
light and warmth, mirth and merriment'
faith, hope and charity sprang up like magic
in this gloomy old tent, and here we are
still. Now. say you're glad ! came, general,
for these stupid boys-ohl l quite forgot!
Let me present the slaves Of the lamp-the
spirit lamp, general. Frank you know-too
well. | dare say. Stand forth, vassal No. 2.
This, general. ia Captain Schuyler, a mite OF
n man physically-a Gothamite, In fact-but
a tower OF wit and wisdom when permitted
to speak" "a dimlnutive yo-Igster, with
a head twice too big for his body,
and a world of fun In his sparkling eyes,
bowed deliberately to his commanding gem
eral, but prudently held his peace) Cap
tain Schuyler, my dear general, meekly bears
the crescent of the subsistence department
on his beautifully high and unques-
tiCnably New N,rk-made collars. He nasn't
an idea on the subject of supplies, except
that commlssary cigars are bad, but his
senator said he had to have something. and
that's what he got. He'd rather be second
lieutenant OF regular infantry any day, but
that was too high for him. Here's a youth
1t fits to a 't-Mr. William Gray OF the
-teenth Foot, whom l knew years ago
when we were kids in the same camp, and
whose best claim to your notice is that you
knew his father. He says so, and hopes
you'll forgive all his budding inlquities on
the strength of it," The general nodded
with a grin at the youngster who stood at
Miss Lawrence's left, and then held UP his
hand for silence, shutting off further pre-
sensations.
"1ll forgive anything but more chatter"
said he, with a placid smile, provided you
give me some tea at once. Then l should
be glad to know how you all happened to
meet here"
MY doing entirely, general. Drank,
another cup-quickD Cherry came with me
to surprise my husband-an easy thing to do
I'm always doing 1t. We found him here.
ny your oIutlS, slIlNllS eulci vi
two charming damsels-the last thing on
earth he is capable of doing, however valu-
able he may be with orders and corre-
spondence. l heard Mr.. Primes story and
at once suggested Colonel Armstrong. I
heard Miss Lawrence excfaim at sight Of
Billy here, and saw a case of old acquaint-
ance and sent for him forthwith. So easy
to say: The adjutant generals compli-
ments'-I found that after all they had never
met, but Miss Lawrence had seen him at the
head Of come famous student company. T
it was who presented him to her and sum-
moned Captain Schuyler to meet once moro
his fellow citizens. the Primes. 1 1t was
who ordered lamps, fire and the tea things.
/ am the good fairy who wrought the
transformation. Behold me with my wand!'
She seized Miss Langton's slender umbrella,
and. waving 1t over her curly little head,
pirouetted again in triumphant gayety.
The general was thoughtfully slipping his
tea and studying her as she chartered and
danced. When she paused a moment for
breath he again held up his hand.
Colonel Armstrong went with MT. Prime,
did he?"
With every assurance that the %prodigal
should be produced forthwith and restored
to the paternal BOSOM detained Mrs. Gar
rison, mechanically, and would have
ranted on, never noting the flush Of pain
and embarrassment that almost Instantly
appeared in the faces of Miss Lawrence and
her dark-eyed eastern cousin, nor seeing
the warning in her husbands eyes, but at
the moment the tent flap was thrown back
and held open to admit a tall, gray-haired
civilian whose silk hat was uplifted as he
entered, in courteous recognition of the
group, despite the distress that was betrayed
In the pallor of his face and the instant
glance of his dark eyes toward the slender
girl. who stepped eagerly forward. Mrs.
Garrison, turning quickly. saw, and with
swift, agile movement, sprang to one side.
The general slowly struggled up from his
easy chair. Reaching her fathers side,
Miss Prime laid her hand upon his arm,
looking fondly and anxiously into his face.
A soldierly, middle-aged officer, in dripping
forage cap and rain coat, stepped quickly
In and lowered the flap.
Did you find him. father?' was Miss
Primes low-toned, faltering question.
w found-the soldier referred to:
Colonel Armstrong has been most kind; but
it wasn't your brother at all, my child"
ITO be Continued.)
An imDroVenent in combination lncks ba.