The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1900-07-20

your being here. He will arrive by next
weeks steamer, and, pardon me, it is
something 1 think you should see at
once, as a change in your plans may be
necessary"
It was vain for Margaret to interpose.
The letter was safely lodged in her sis
ter's hands, and with SO significant a
message that it had to be opened and
read without delay. Gayly excusing
herself, and with low reverence and
comprehensive smile to the assembled
party, she ushered her sister into the
long parlor, and the curtain fell behind
them. There followed a few minutes
of brisk conference upon the lanai, the
Marsdens pleading against, the father
and daughter for, immediate return to
the hotel, there to claim the vacated
rooms aboard the steamer. In the eager
discussion, pro and con, both young
soldiers joined, both saying go" and
promising to follow by the Sedgwick.
In this family council, despite the vivid
interest Armstrong felt in the result,
neither Amy Lawrence nor himself took
any part. Side by side at the snowy
railing over the breaking sea they stood
almost silent listeners. Suddenly there
came from the front again the sound
of hoofs and wheels, loud and distinct
at the start, then rapidly dying away
with the increasing distance. Miss
Lawrence turned and looked inquiring-
ly into the eyes she we'll knew were
fixed upon her. Mrs. Marsden hesitated
one moment, then stepped across the
lanai, peered into the parlor and en-
tered. 1t was n minute before she re-
turned, and in that minute the decisive
vote was cast, the carriage ordered.
''Oh, L ought to have known how it
would be if 1 left you a moment" she
cried, despairingly, on her reappear-
ance, little folded paper in her hand.
But at least you must stay half an
hour. We can telephone direct to the
dock and secure the staterooms, if you
must go on the Doric. Yes" she con-
tinued, lowering her voice, 'they are
not going farther. until Col. Frost
comes. Mrs. Garrison explains that her
sister was really too ill and too weak
drive might do her good. She thought
best to slip quietly away with her, and
bids me say good night to you all.'
So, when next day the Doric sailed,
four new names appeared upon the pas
senger list, and the last men down the
stage, already trembling on the rise,'
were two young fellows in white uni
form, who turned as they sprang to the
dock and waved their jaunty caps
Join you in ten days at 'Frisco!"
shouted the shorter of the two, gazing
on the promenade deck. "Oh! beg a
thousand pardons," he added, hastily,
as he bumped against some slender OBJ
ject, and, wheeling about to pick up
a fimsy white fan, he found himself
face to face with Witchie Garrison, kerr
chief waving, beaming, smiling, throw
ing kisses innumerable to the party he
had so lately left. The hot blood rushed
to his forehead, an angry light to his
eyes, as she nodded, blithely, forbear-
ingly, forgivingly at him. Dear boy
she cried, in her clear, penetrating
treble, show could you be expected to
see anyone after leaving-her?" But
Cows arm was linked in his at the very
instant and led him glowering away,
leaving her close to the edge of the
crowded dock, smiling sweetness, bless
ing and bliss upon a silent and unre-
sponsive group, and waving kerchief |
and kisses to them until, far from shore,
the Doric headed out to sea.
They were nearing home again. Day
and night for nearly q week the good |
ship had borne them steadily onward |
over sea of deepest blue, calm and un-
ruff1ed as the light that shone in Amy's |
yes. Hours of each twenty-four Arm |
strong had been the constant compan-
on, at first of the trio, then of the two
tor Mr.. Prime had found a kindred spirit |
in veteran merchant homeward bound |
from China-then of one alone; for Miss
Prime had found another interest and |
favor in the eyes of young tourist
paying his first visit to our shores, and |
20 it happened that before the voyage,
I'll too brief, was half over Amy Law
'eAce and Armstrong walked the spa
'ious deck for hours alone or sat in shell
ered hooks, gazing out upon the sea.
The soft summer breezes of the first
,ew days had given place to keener,
hitler air. The fog ahead told of the
lose proximity of the Farallones.
Heavier wraps had replaced the soft
abrlcs of the Hawaiian saunterings.