Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-03-07

sible for him to fall, in love with Amy
Lawrence; had hoped his love was re-
turned, had found it was not-that
she had only frank, friendly, kindly |
interest in him; and that, wounded |
and stung, he had fretted himself into
a fever at Honolulu, aided by Canker's
and then-well-any man
is liable, said Billy to himself, TO get
smitten with woman who tenderly |
and skillfully nurses him day after |
day; and that's just what Witchie Gar
rison did. But somehow the opportun-
ity to tell him never seemed to come;
and now, now that Armstrong and him
self We're thus thrown together with
the prospect of being in the same room
daT and night for the best of the month,
Il third officer, a stranger, lay there, too,
and in his presence or hearing any con-
tidences would be impossible, even if
Armstrong encouraged them, which
he probably would not. In this embar-
rassment Billy's wish was thatthe colo
mel We're fifty miles away. 1t was fate
and hard one, thought he, that
brought him there-an ever>present re-
proach. 1t was luck of the worst kind
that they should be confronted under
such circumstances, since neither could
retreat. He submitted in anxious
silence to the keen, quick examination
of the skillful surgeon in charge and
to the redressing of his wound. He
could have been proud and happy but
for that shadow on his life, of which
Armstrong; presence would so con-
stantly remind him. He could not even
think how his dear old dragon daddy
would rejoice in the congratulations
that would surely greet him when the
story of the brave dash of the -teenth,
Billy among the foremost, should
reach the states. He could not even
dream how it might affect her-Amy
Lawrence. He was beginning to be
ashamed now in this presence to think
how that cther-how Margaret Gar
rison might be impressed, forgetting
that, to the army girl who has lived
long years on the frontier, tales of
| heroism are the rule, not the exception.
He wondered how long it could be be-
fore she would come to him to bring
him comfort. Surely by this time she
knew that he had been seriously, pain
fully wounded. He did not know, how
ever, that at the very first sound OF
battle Frost had bundled the sisters
aboard his launch and steamed away
to the transports. Yet, what comfort
could her visit bring to him with that
stern censor lying there, seeing and
hearing all? Billy Gray that Monday
night could almost have wished that
Armstrong; slumber might be eternal
never dreaming that before a second
Monday should come he would thank
heaven with grateful heart for Arm.
strong's presence, vigilance and inter.
vention.
In three days the colonel was able t,
sit up. Within the week he was per
mitted to take air and exercise in tn,
spacious court of the old college, hi
sword arm in its sling. But Gray ant
the young officer of volunteers were tor
seriously wounded to leave their pill
lows. The tenth had occupied new
line far south OF the old one; but, at on,
time, several of Billy's brother officer
had dropped in to see him and tell hin
regimental news; and one of them, tn
young West Pointer who had broker
down at sight of the dying face tina
stirring Sunday morning, told him o
Latrobe's soldier funeral and of Gen
Drayton's presence and speeches
grief; and Billy's hand CROPPED beneatl
the pillow for that little blood-staine,
Tackaf CT; III H..
promptly caused the information to b
conveyed to the veteran commando
that it was his own lost nephew win
had died his soldier death in front o
the firing line; but the packet still re
manned in his hands; and even before tn
tiny thermometer confirmed his views
the keen eye of the surgeon saw tina
something had heightened Billy's fe
yer that day; and so, when just at sun
set there came driving into the cour
| the most stylish equipage in all Manila
and Mrs. Garrison tiuttered up til
broad stairway and confidently aske
to be announced to Mr.. Gray, the stew
ard in charge of the door was very, YER
sorry, but-the doctor had given in
structions that no more visitors Shout
see the young gentleman that day
Mrs. Frank smiled indulgently, an
asked for the doctor himself, an,
beamed on him with all her witcher
and begged for just few words; Blu
the suave, placid, yet impenetrable doc
tor said he, too, was sorry-sorry tina
MIR. Gray was not able to see anyon
else, but such was the case. Mrs. Gar
rison said she thought if Mr.. Gray kney
that it was-but perhaps DIR. Fran
didn't know it was she who had nurse
Mr.. Gray SO assduously at Honolulu
DIR. Frank did know that and more; bu
he did not say so; neither did he yield
There were tears in her eyes as sh
sprang into her carriage again; blu
they were tears of anger and defea,
She dashed them away the very next in
slant and smiled joy and congratula
ton, even adulation, at sight of the tai
stalwart officer, his arm in a sling, VIII
stood the center of staring group a
her carriage flashed by. She would hav
ordered stop; but while the rest of tn
party had gazed as they lifted thei
caps, Armstrong's uninjured hand pei
formed its duty, his cap had been LITE
with the others, but not SO much a
a glance went her way; and Margare
Garrison, bitter in spirit, drove on dow
past the old Quartet to her luXuriou
quarters where Mia, a piteous shade,
of the 'sweet girl graduate" of the yea
before, was awaiting her coming. Wit
the insurgents retreat and the advanc
of the American lines there had been
gradual return of the refugees anon
the transports; and Frost had finall
brought his birding back to shore; bu
Mia dare not drive, She said, for fea
of again seeing those stern, reproachfl
eyes. The guard at the gate had re
ceived orders to admit no more of til
rank and file, even when they came q
messengers; and SO the child was SAT,
said Margaret. AS for herself, she mus
drive, she must see Will Gray.
But the instant she reentered til
house Mrs. Garrison knew that durin
her brief absence some new trouble ha