Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1899-04-13

| MT. LOrlnS stood in civilian dress
and soldier attitude, hat in hand, an
attentive listener, never interposing a
word or hazarding remark. When the
general stopped, the lieutenant remain
ed silent and standing The general
looked perturbed, halted and glared, as
much as to say, "Why the devil don't
you speak?'' thing Loring never did
when be had nothing to say. The chief
found it necessary to begin anew, but
broke off presently. "You understand,
do you not:'
eyes, sir, (" said Loring.
"Then 1 suppose-you re very busy
have many things to do?"
"Only one, sir. .
well, l won't detain you. IL
wish you we'll, Mr.. Loring, and-and-
bon voyagep And the general strove to
emile.
"Thank you, general. Anything else
sir?"
The general stood and could think Of
nothing. II believe not, he replied
"unless-however, never mind; won t
detain you.
GOOD day, sir, said Loring, and
marched quickly away to the room of
the aid-de-camp. Petty was not there
An embarrassed lieutenant arose and
smiled vaguely.
Petty isn't about anywhere this
morning. He was out late last night
expect him every moment
lyon needn't. He won't come Tell
him waited until II 80"
Then Loring shut the door and left
He had many an hour later in which to
think over his final interview with the
aid. A most unwelcome duty was that
second call to Petty. He would rather
be kicked than go to Loring and say he
was released from arrest and free to 60
Perhaps he thought the kick forthcom-
ing if he went. But Loring treated
him with the same contemptuous cool
ness as he had earlier in the night. Nor
did Loring seem either elated or sur
prised
"Dash the manP' said Petty. cpd
give months pay to tell him some
thing that would stir him!"
Petty could easily have done that had
had received visit from the lady su-
perior with a young girl from the con-
vent of the good gray sisters. But that
was mysterious affair that even the
general had seen fit to say nothing fur
Their about even to Loring. who was
most concerned. 1t was matter that
gentle and gracious woman herself new
or referred to when the engineer at 10
| the next morning presented his card and
was ushered into her presence. She was
| most courteous There were peace and
loving kindness inetfable in her placid
face There was infinite sympathy in
her manner when she presently met and
led III to him pallid little maid who
put long, slim hand in Lorings as he
| smiled upon her downcast, red trimmed
J eyes.
Struggle as she might for composure
and strength, Pancha had evidently been
sorely disturbed over something through
the long watches of the night Loriug's
heart reproached him as he realized
how seltishly he had been engrossed for
weeks, how little he had thought for
her, of her who must be so lonely and
! homesiok III her new sphere He was al.
most shocked now at the pallor of her
face. the droop and languor of the slen-
der figure that was SO buoyant and elias
tic those bright days aboard ship just
preceding the catastrophe. What friends
and chums they had become! How ia
mously he was getting on with his
Spanish! What charming teacher she
was with her lovely shining eyes, her
laughing lips, her glistening white
teeth She seemed happy as queen
then, and now what had come over the
child?
They are going to let me write to
YOU. Pancha. " he had told her. land l
Shall write every month, but you will
write to me long letters, won't you:''
"Si." AND the dusky little head bow
ed lower and Pancha was withdrawing
her hand.
You know have no little sister,
he went on.
She did. She had learned all this and
much more aboard ship and remembered
every word he had told her, very much
more than he remembered. She knew
far more about him than he did about
her, bat be looked far more interested
now. The good gray sister was more
than good. She was very busy at some
thing away across the room, and Loring
had drawn his little friend to the win
dow.
How wish had known you there
at-at the ella, Pancha!" he managed
to say in slow stumbling Spanish.
do you know we made great mis-
take, Mr.. Blake and I?''
She did not wish to know. Two little
hands Went up imploringly, the dark
head dropped lower still, the slender,
girlish form was surely trembling
What allied the child? 1t was time to
go, yet he fingered. He felt longing
to take her hands again, clasped in each
other now and hanging listless as she
leaned against the window casing He
meant to bend and kiss her goodby, just
as he would have kissed younger sis
ter, he said to himself, not as he had
kissed Geraldine Allyn. But somehow
he faltered, and that was something un.