Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-04

that brought him there-an ever-present re-
preach IL was luck of the worst kind that
they should be confronted under such cir
cumstanCes. since neither could retreat. He
submitted in anxious silence to the keen.
quick examination Of the SkiNfuI surgeon
IN charge and to the redressing OF MS
wound lie could have been proud ana
happy but for that shadow on his life. #
which Armstrong; presence would con-
Stantly remind him He could not zen
think how his dear old Dragon daddy
would rejoice in the congratulations that
would surely greet him when the story Cf
the brave dash of the -teenth, Billy amoEg
the foremost, should reach the states. He
could not even dream how it might affect
her-Amy Lawrence. He was beginning to
Re ashamed now in this presence to think
how that Other-hOW Margaret Garrison
might he impressed, forgetting that 10 the
army girl who has lived long Years on the
frontier tales of heroisn are the rule, not
the exception. He wondered now long il
could be before she would come to him to
bring MIN comfort. Surely by mis- time
she knew that he had been seriously pain
fully wounded. He did not know however.
that at the very first sound of battle Frost
had bundled the sisters aboard his launch
and steamed away to the transports Yet
what comfort could her visit bring to him
with that stern censor lying there, seeing
ana hearing ali? Billy Gray that Monday
night could almost have wished that Arm
strong slumber might be eternal never.
dreaming that before second MONDAY
grateful heart for Armstrong; presence
vigilance and Intervention.
In three days the colonel was able Ia sit
up. Nlthln the week he was permitted 20
take air and exercise in the spacious court
OF the old college. his sword arm in its
sing. But Gray and the young officer Of
volunteers were too seriously wounded to
leave their pillows. The -teenth mad
occupied a new line far south of the Old
one. but, one at q time. several of Billy's
brother officers had dropped in to see him
ana tell him regimental news and one Of
them, the young West Pointer who had
broken down at sight OF the dying face that
stirring sunday morning. told him of La
trobc solder funeral and Of General Dray-
tons presence and speechless grief: and
BlIyS hand CROPPED beneath the pillow for
mat little bl"oi-stained packet still unde-
hFered. He had promptly caused the infor-
nation to be conveyed to the veteran COM
mander that 1t was his own lost nephew
VINO mad died his soldier death in front of
the firing line: but the packet still re-
manned in his hands, and even before the
t.hy thermometer confirmed his views the
Keen eye of the surgeon saw that some
thlng had heightened Billy's fever that
day. and so, when just az sunset there
came Grivlng into the court the most styl-
iSh equipage in all Manila and Mrs Cat
IISon Hu!tefed up the broad stairway and
confidently asked TO be announced to Mr.
Gray, the steward in charge of the floor
was very, very sorry, but-the doctor had
gwen instructions that more visitors
should see the young gentleman that day
Mrs. Frank smiled indulgently and asked
for the doctor himself. and beanied on him
with all her witchery and begged for Just
rev words; but the suaVe placi yet
implacahle doctor said he, too, was sorry
sorry that Mr.. Gray was not able to see
any one else. but such was the case. Mrs
Garrison said she thought If Mr. GRAY
knew that 1t waS-but perhaps DR. Frank
dldn know II was she who had nursed
Mr.. Gray so assiduously at Honolulu Dr.
FRANK did know that and more but he
did not say so. neither did he yield There
were tears In her eyes as she sprang into
her carriage again; but they were tears
Of anger and defeat. She dashed them
away the very next instant and smiled joy
and congratulation, even adulation. at
sight of the tall. stalwart officer. his arm
! in a sling, who stood the center of a star
ing group as her carriage flashed BY She
would have ordered a stop, but while the
rest of the party had gaZed as they lifted
| their caps Armstrong; uninjured hand per-
formed its duty, his cap had been lifted
with the others. but not so much as a
glance went her way, and Margaret Garri-
! son, bitter in spirit, drove on down past
/ the old Quartet to her luxurious quarters
/ where Mia. a piteous shadow of the sweet
| girl graduate of the year before was
| awaiting her coming. With the insurgents
| retreat and the advance of the American
| lines there had been a gradual return of
| the refugees among the transports, and
| Frost had finally brought his birding back
! to shore; but Nita dared not drive she
| said, for fear of again seeing those stern.
| reproachful eyes. The guard at the gate
had received orders to admit no more of
| the rank and file. even when they came as
| messengers, and so the chrd was safe, said