Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1900-06-08

side. Her gaze was upon MN peIore
the carriage stopped, and irresistibly
drew him. The man Of mature years,
the hero Of sharp combats and stirring
campaigns with a fierce and savage foe,
the commander of hundreds of eager
and gallant men, obeyed without
thought Of demur the unspoken sum.
mons of girl yet in her teens. There
was a new light in her clear and beau.
tiful eyes. Il flush upon her soft and
rounded cheek, a little futter, possibly,
in her kind and loyal heart. Heaven
knows his heart beat high with an emo
tion he could not subdue, though his
bearing was grave and courteous as
ever, but about that sweet and flushing
face there shone the halo of a woman's
brave determination. and no sooner had
he reached the carriage side than. bend
ing toward him, she spoke. Mildred
Prime could not repress a little gasp OF
amaze.
"Col. Armstrong, will you kindly
open the carriage door? ! want 10 talk
with YOU a moment"
Without "a word he wrenched the
handle and threw wide the door Light
as bird she sprang TO the ground, her
fingers just touching the extended
hand. Side by side they strollcd away
across the sunlit lawn, he so strong,
virile, erect, she so lissome and grace
full. Full of her purpose, yet fearful
that with delay might come timidity,
she looked up in his face:
"Col. Armstrong, l have heard only
to-day that Mr.. Gray is in really serious
danger. Will you tell me-the TRUTH
Just what Armstrong expected it
might be hard to say. The light that
had leaped to his eyes faded slowly and
his face lost something of the flush of
robust health. There was brief pause
before he spoke as though he wished
time to weigh his words.
II fear ii is true" he gravely said.
Then in moment: Miss Lawrence,
will you not take my arm?" And he
felt her hand tremble as she placed it
there. 1t was moment before she be-
gan again.
They tell me he should have counsel,
but Will not heed. have not seen him
to-day. There is no one in his battalion,
il seems, whom he really looks up 10.
He is headstrong and self-confident.
Do you think he should-that lie needs
one?' And anXiously the brave eyes
sought the strong, solGierly face.
at would seem so, Miss Lawrence"
She drew a long breath. She seemed
TO cling a little closer TO his arm. Then
straight came the next question:
"Col. Armstrong, Will you Go me a
great favor? VIII YOU be his counsel?''
He was looking directly TO the front
as she spoke. Something told Him what
was coming, YET ne cOulu not answer
all at once. What did it mean, after all
but just what he had been thinking for
a week, that the girls fresh young
heart had gone out TO this merry, hand
some, soldierly Lad, whom he, too, had
often marked with keen appreciation
when in command of his big company
at drill. What possible thought of hers
could he, more than twice her years,
have ever hoped to win? She had come
to him in her sore trouble-and heI
lover's-as she would have gone 10 her
father had he been a soldier schooled in
such affairs. Armstrong pulled himself
together with quick, stern self-com'
mand.
Looking down, he saw that her eyes
were filing, her lips paling, and rush
of tenderness overcame him as he sim.
ply and gently answered:
Yes, and there is no time 10 be lost
To be Contnued.)