The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1900-07-13
CHAPTER XVIII.-CoNTNUED

CHAPTER ANll1.-CONTNUED
Again the blood rose guiltily to Billy's
cheek. Not yet had he made his peace
with his conscience and that valued
counselor and invaluable friend from
whose good graces he seemed to have
fallen entirely. Not once had oppor-
tunity been afforded in which to speak
and open his heart to him. AS for writ
ing, that seemed impossible. Billy could
handle almost any implement better
than a pen. But even in the few min
utes left him in which to think he knew
that now at least he must ''face the mu-
sic,'' like the man his father would
have him be, even though it took more
nerve than did that perilous dash on the
Iagal works that Sunday morning.
9ai!lly would rather do that twice over
than have to face Armstrong; stern,
searching eyes, and hear again the cold,
almost contemptuous tone in which the
colonel said to him the day the doctor
led his vanquished and hysterical
chaImer from the room: Don't try to
thank, man; try to think what you risk
what you deserve to lose-fOr putting
yourself in the power of such woman"
From that day until this, here on the
banks of the swift-running Pasig, they
had not met at all; and it seemed to
Gray as though Armstrong had aged a
year. There was lump in his throat
as he went straight up to the colonel,
his blue eyes never finching, though
they seemed to fill, and bravely spoke.
Col. Armstrong, l have an explanation
that owe to you. Will you give me a
few minutes on the gallery?"
Certainly, Gray" was the calm re-
ply; and the youngster led the way.
1t was broken story. 1t told of his
desperation and misery through Can
ker's persecution, of his severe illness,
then of the utter weakness and prostra-
ton; then her coming, and with her
comfort, peace, reinsurance, gradual
return to health, and with that, gradual
surrender to his nurses destinations
e Then her demand upon him, her plea,
her final insistence that he should prove
his gratitude and devotion by getting
for her those dangerous letters, and his
weakness in letting her believe he could
and would do so. That was the situa-
ton when they went on TO Manila; and
Armstrong knew the rest-knew that
but for his timely aid she might have
triumphed over his repentance; but
Armstrong had come, had vanquished
her and poor Latrobe's last wishes were
observed. The fateful packet contain
ing the three letters that were most i'm
pOrtant was placed in his uncle's trem
bling hand.
but how was it-what was it that sc
utterly crushed her?" asked Billy, when
the colonel had once more extended his
hand.
The evidences of her own forgery
her own guilt" said Armstrong, grave
ly. "One was the order she wrote in
excellent imitation of her husband:
hand and signature, authorizing the
changing of guard arrangements on the
wharf the evening Stewart sailed. TIL,
other was note in pencil. also purport
ing to come from him, directing ole
Keeny-you remember the general:
Irish orderly-to search for packet O.
letters that had come by mail, ana
must be in the generals tent, either
about his desk or overcoat, and t.
bring them at once to room number 81
and SO at the palace. Of course. neithel
the general nor Garrison was Their,
when he arrived with them; but sh'