Omaha daily bee., 1899-10-22
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II Mre Garrison drove to Golden Gate park
tho easiest and best way was that along
which he came and he had met no carriage
In fact, not since that night at the Palace
had he set eyes on Mrs. Garrison, or until
the coming of this sorrowful news about
Gray had he cared to. From all that he
heard Mrs. Frank was enjoying herself at
the Presidio. Cherry having gone one way
and her devotee another, Mrs. Frank speedily
summoned a Chum of old garrison days to
come and keep house with her for a while,
and Mrs. Stockman, whose lord had left her
at the call of duty, and gone to Manila
with his men, right gladly accepted and
much enjoyed the fun and frolc that went
on night after night in Mrs. Franks cozy
parlor, or the mild Irritation, possibly in
the recesses OF Mrs. Franks embowered
porch. The last expedition had borne off
almost all the regular" element at the
post, but had not left it poor, for, fast as
camp grounds could bo made ready for them,
vastly to the disgust of the saloon keepers
and street car magnates who had reaped rich
harvest from Camp Merritt regiment after
regiment the volunteers came marching over
from the malodorous sand lots and settled
down in sheltered hooks about the Presidio.
So cavaliers in plenty were still to be had,
cavaliers whose wives and sweethearts, as
a rule, were far away, and Mrs. Frank loved
to console such as were so bereft. Inc
chatting dish and Scotch and soda were in
nightly request, and even women who didn't
at all fancy Mrs. Frank, ana spoke despite
fully of her among themselves, were not
slow to come in "for just a minute" as they
said, as the evenings wore on and to stay
and chat with various visitors-it was so
lonesome and poky over home with the
children asleep and nothing to do. Women
| uh0 1nrkpnad Mrs Garri-
sons door after the first formal calls; but
| they were of those who deeply felt the
separation from all they held most dear, and
who, forbidden themselves, heard with envy
| and even distress her gay assertion that she
| would sail for Manila the moment the Queen
of the Fleet was ready. From what source
or cumstance-did she derive her in
! fluence?
But with the edict that no more troops
| should be sent came comfort to the souls OF
these bereaved ones. Transports would not
go without troops, and Mrs Frank could not
| go without transports, the journey was far
| too expensive. They wished her no evil OF
course but, If they were themselves for
| bidden, how could they rejoice that she
| should be permitted? They were actually
! beginning to feel a bit charitable toward
| her when the Queen of the Fleet herself
| came in from Honolulu with the latest news.
| The firth expedition had been halted there
and put in camp. Billy Gray was down with
brain fever, and there had been curious
scene between him and his peppery colonel
before the breakdown, and by the same
steamer Mrs Garrison had got letter that
| made her turn white and tremble, as Mrs.
Stockman saw and told. and then shut her
self up in her room an entire day. Now, for
nearly a fortnight, the lovely guest had been
daily limiting that she really must go home,
| "dear Witche" was surely tired of her, and
| Witchie disclaimed and protested and
| vowed she could not live without her de-
voted friend. But then had come that letter
and with it a change of tone and tactics.
| Witchie ceased to demonstrate or reprove
Mrs. Stockman, and the latter felt that she
must go, and Witchie consented without
demur.
In no pleasant mood Armstrong mounted
and trotted for the east gate. The road was
lined with camps and volunteers at drill.
Vehicles were frequently moving to and fro,
but the sentry at the entrance had kept track
of them, and in response to question an
swered promptly and positively Mrs. Gar
risons carriage had not come that way.
| But" said he, "the wagon with the lady s
baggage did. l saw the name on the trunks
The colonel turned in his saddle and coolly
surveyed him. "Do you mean Mrs. Stock
mans name?" he asked, in quiet tone.
How many trunks were there?"
ooh, some OF them might have had Mrs.
StoCkmans name, sir, but the two or three
that l saw were marked NJ. G."
This was unlooked-for news. To her
next door neighbor Mrs. Garrison had said
nothing about going away with Mrs. Stock
man and Armstrong had grave need to see
her and to see her at once The train for
did lenVp until aVaninp
Possibly they were lunchIng somewhere
spending the afternoon with friends in town.
He rode direct to headquarters. Some of
the staff might be able to tell was his the
ory, and one of them justified 1t.
"Did l happen to meet Mrs. Garrison
Yes, just saw her aboard the China"
Aboard the China!" exclaimed Armstrong,
with a sudden thrill of excitement. "D'you
mean she is going?"
Didn't ask her. They were hustling
everybody ashore and | had only time to
give dispatches to Purser. but she was on
the deck with friends when came away"
People wondered that day at the speed
with which the tall officer, followed by his
orderly, clattered away down Market street.
In less than ten minutes Armstrong was at
the crowded pier and pushing through the
throng to the China's stage. Too late!
Already 1t was swung aloft, the lines were
cast loose and the huge black mass was just
beginning to back slowly from it's moorings.
The rail of the promenade deck swarmed
with faces. some radiant, some fearful.
Words of adieu, futtering kerchiefs, waving
hands, tossing flowers We're there on every
side. Two officers, Honolulu bound
shouted Armstrong; name and a CHEEKY
gOodby, but he did not seem to hear. A
gentle voice, the voice of all others he
longed to hear repeated the name
and strove to call attention to his
gesticulating comrades on the upper
deck, but he was deaf to both.
Eagerly, anXiously, incredulously he was