The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1900-07-26
CHAPTER XvIu.--CoSrixurp.

with his conscience and that valued
counselor aud invaluable friend from
whose good graccs he seemed 20 have
fallen entirely. Not once had oppor-
tunity been afforded In which to speak
and open his heart to him. AS for writ
ing, ,thatseemed impossible. Billy could
handle almost any implement better
than pen. hut 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 he. even though IL took more
nerve than did that perilous dash on the
Tagal works that Sunday morning.
Billy would rather do that twice over
than have to face Armstrong; stern.
searching eyes. and hear again the cold,
almost contcmptuous tone in which the
colonel said To him the day the doctor
led his vanquished and hystcrical
charmer 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 IL seemed TO
Cray as though Armstrong had aged n
year. There was IA 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, have an explanation
that i 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.
IL was a 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-
tion; then her coming. and with her
comfort, peace, reinsurance. gradual
return tn health. and withd hat. gradual
surrender to his nurses fascinations.
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-
tion when they went on To Manila; and
Armstrong knew the rcst-knew that
but for his timely aid she might have
triumphcd over his rcpcntancc: but
Armstrong had come. had vanquishcd
her and poor Latrobc's last wishes were
observed. The fateful packet contain.
ing the three letters that were most i'm
portant was placed in his unclc's trem-
bling hand.
But how was it--what was II that so
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 shc wrote in
excellent imitation of her husbands
hand and signature. authorizing the
changing of guard arrangements on the
wharf the cyeEing Stewar, sailed. The
other was note In pencil, also purport-
ing tn come from him, directing old
keeny-you remember the generals
Irish orderly-io search for a packet Of
letters that had come by mail, and
must he in the generals tent, either
about his desk or overcoat. and to
bring them nj once to room number so
and so ut the palace. or course, neither
the general nor Garrison was there
when he arrived with them; but she
was, and with all her destinations. She
got the lrishman half drunk. and told
him piteous story and made him
swear he'd never tell the general or
IL questioned he could plead
he had gone out, and got little full
with the boys. She gave him money
u big hit. too; and he got more than
full. The very yehemcnce of his de-
mails made me suspect him." said Arm
strong; but he WIS firm when exam
ined. The general never required him
TO remain at the tent AT night. lie
could go To town any evening he
wished: and To cover his appearing at
the Palace where the general long had
n room. and where he was well known,
he could say he was only In to have u
word with one Of the houscmaids. and
to give Mrs. Garrison II handkerchief
one of the ladies must have dropped.
But one thing she failed in getting the
letter back. Kecny had left II at camp
In the pocket OF his old blouse, and
when he sobcred up md all the ques-
lions were asked he hung onto IL in
rase the truth came out. In order that
he might save himself from punish
nent. Hut IL broke him--hc got to
drinking oftcncr, and the general had
10 send him to his regiment; and then
when he heard of Canker's charge
against you, l saw the way To wiring |
The truth out of him. He worshiped
four father, us did every Irish dragoon
that ever rode under him; and ! told |
him you were 10 he brought to trial |
Tor the crime. Then he broke down
md gave the truth--and her penciled |
,rder-to me-"
In the silence that followed the SOL
iier Of 40 and the lad of only "a sat
looking gravely into each Others face.
i was Armstrong who spoke again;
''Gray, II was manly In you 10 tell
ne your story and your trouble. I
,ould help you here; bu,--who can help
'ou when you have TO tell it--next
ime?"
"Next time father, do you mean?"
lueried Gray, a puzzled lock In his blue
yes. II hadn't thought, do you know,
q worry dear old dad--unless he
sked."
Armstrong; grave face grew dark.
You ought TO know what l mean,
tray. This story may come up when
rast you think for. and-would you
ave II told Miss Lawrence before she
lears IL from you?"
"Miss Lawrence" answered Billy,
isn't In the least interested"
DO you mean that you nre no'--that
ou were not engaged 10 ber?" The |