Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1900-07-06

tiers more coolly than did the Asiatic;
German phlegm, English impassiyeness
and Yankee devil-may -care-ishness pre-
venting panic. But those who had
families and owned or could hire car
riages and launches were not slow in
seeking for their households the refuge
Of the fleet of transports lying placidly
at anchor in the bay, where Dewey's
bluejackets shifted their guilds, went
coolly TO their stations and, grouped
about their guns, quietly awaited fur
Their developments. In an agony Of
fear Col. Frost had hidden his driver 10
lash the ponies to a gallop and go like
the wind TO Malate; but the appearance
Of the long ranks Of sturdy infantry
reeting on their arms and beginning to
look bored, measurably treasured him
before he reached his home. Once
there, however, the sight of Mia, cling
ing Historically 10 her sister and moan
ing on her bed, was sufficient 10 deter
mine his first move, which was to wire
for his launch TO come around to the
bay shore and take them off to the fleet.
The next was TO send and ask for an Of
fcer and 20 men from the Quartet, on
receiving which message the major
commanding. standing on the dusty
roadway in front of his men, grinned
under his grizzled mustacbe and said:
"Frosts got EN- again. Here, Gray,
you go over and tell him TO keep his hair
on. that it's nothing but fake alarm"
And Gray, glad enough Of the chance 10
go again into the presence Of the wom-
an who so fascinated him, sped on his
mission. He was in a fury over his re-
cent humiliation in her very sight-he,
a commissioned officer, tossed aside
like a child and outwitted by this daring
INTRUDER III the shape OF private sol
dier-he and his guard brushed away
and Gerided by a young fellow in some
strange regiment-who had easily es-
capped along the beach to an adjoining
inclosure into which he darted and was
no more seen. The streets were full Of
scurrying soldiers, and ii was the sim
plest thing in the world for him 10
mingle with them and make his way TO
his own command. OF course. Gray
well knew who the man must be-Nita's
troublesome lover Of whom Witchie had
told him so much. There was his chance
10 recover the letters and claim the re-
ward; but man and letters both had es-
capped his grasp; and when he pulled
up, blown and exhausted after fruitless
chase. he was brought 10 his senses by
the sight Of his own men falling in "for
business" and he had 10 scamTer for
his sword and join them.
That was miserable evening. Mar
garet Garrison was the only member OF
the household who seemed 10 have her
wits about her and her nerves under
control. for Frank, her liege lord. had
his duty elsewhere and not until hours
later trotted slowly home. Margaret
plainly let Gray understand how he had
fallen in her estimation at being so
easily tossed aside. \ warning finger
was laid upon her lip. Not one word
Of what has happened while he is here"
she muttered; and nod Of her fluffy
head toward the perturbed colonel told
plainly that the chief OF the household
really had no place in the family coun-
ellis. To the sisters that alarm was a
blessing in disguise. II was all sufii
cient TO account for Nita's prostration.
To the rash and reckless lad, who,
claiming TO be an orderly with letter
from the colonel, had been passed by
the gate guard to the open stairway, il
afforded ample cover for escape, when,
alarmed by Nita's cry, Gray and the
corporal came springing to her aid. To
Gray himself it gave only few minutes
forgetfulness of his trouble, for, smart
Ing under the sting of a woman's only
half-hidden disdain, he would have well
coined with almost savage JOY some
fierce battle with skillful foe, some
scene in which he could compel her re-
spect and admiration. He was still
smarting and stung when at last that
opportunity came.
Long will Manila remember the
night! II followed close upon the heels
of warnings that for weeks held every
officer and man TO his post of outy.
Day after day the strain increased.
The insurgents, crowding upon our out
posts in front Of Santa Mesa on the
north and OF Santa Ana on the south
side of the Pasig, had heaped insultand
threats upon our silent sentries, COM
PEELED by orders 10 the very last 10 sub
NIT to anything but actual attack
rather than bring on a battle. THE
Americans are afraid" was the gleeful
cry of Aguinaldo's officers, the jeer and
taunt of his men. The regulars were
soon TO come and replace those volun-
teers, said the wiseacre of his cabinet,
therefore strike now before the trained
and disciplined troops arrive and sweep
these big Doors into the sea. And on
the still, staplit night, sooner perhaps
than his confederates within the walls
intended. the rebel leader struck, and,
long before ne dawn of the lovely
Sunday morn that followed, the fire
flashed from 10000 rifles in big semi
circle around Manila, and the long-eX-
peeted battle was on.
Hours after dawn. hours after the at
tack began, the -teenth were in eX-
tended battle order 10 the south OF
Malate confronted by thickets of bam-
boo that fairly swarmed with insur.