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

"weil--er--yes; certainly, certain.
ly," answered the helpless master of
the house, lodging now the warning
and reproach IN the eyes OF his wiser
mate at the other end of the table. The
crnck Of a coachmons whip and the
swift beat OF trotting hoofs on the
grnvcled road In front could be heard
as he faltered on. The gleum OF cab
lights came floating through the north
ward shrubbery. "Except. Of course,
when they happen 10 be--er-alrcudy,
well, you know. at Hong Kong or Naga-
saki." he lams,y concluded.
There was an instant hurried glnnce
exchanged between Gray and Prime.
Then up spoke in silvery tone their
hostess:
"Other officers. you know. are or
dcred home. We have lust heard to-
day that Col. Frost comes very soon.
His health seems quite shattered. 1
belic,c-you knew--of them slightly
that Is To say, Miss Prime. did YOU
not|' But even with her words she
cast an anxious glance along the dim
reach of the lanai. for the pit i-n-pat of
footballs, the swish Of feminine dra-
pcries was distinctly heard. Two
dainty, white-robcd forms came float
ing into view, and, with changing color.
their hostess suddenly arose and
stepped forward to meet them. just
one second Of silence intcrvencd, then.
all grace and glndncss. smiles and cor
diality, both her little hands out
stretched, Mrs. Frank Garrison came
dancing into their midst. her sister
more timidly following.
Dear Mrs. Marsdcn, how perfectly"
kiss. kiss delicious! Yes, this Is
the baby sister I've ravcd to you about.
We 60 right on with the Doric; but
had To bring her out with me that YOU
might have just one glance at her.
Why! Mr.. Prime! Why, what could
he more charming than to find YOU
here? And Gov too--you wicked
boy! What won't do To you for never
telling me you were in Manila? And
Mildrcd!"--kiss. kiss--despite n pal
pablc dodge and heightened color on
the part OF the half.dazcd recipient.
and YOU. too. Miss Lawrcnce?" Both
hands, hut no kiss--one hand calmly
! accepted. "Ah. then know how happy
you are. Mr.. Willie Gray" beaming
archcd smiles upon thai, flushed and
fustered young officer Then. turning
again to ,winc u jcwclcd arm about the
slim waist of their hostess, to whom
she clung rs though dcfying any ef-
fort To dislodgc, yet pleading for pro-
sat h.. 4. al.
forctold that we of all people should
have met out hereof all places? How
long did you say you had been out here?
\ week? And of course. dear Mrs.
Marsden has done every thing to make
IT, lovely for you. I should have died
without her" And 50 the swift PLAY Of
words wen, on. the rapid fire OF her
fluent tongue covering the movement
of her allies and drowning all pos.i-
bility of reply. II was an odd and try
ing moment. Mrs. Marsdcn. well know
ing. as who in Honolulu did not. of Mrs.
Franks devotion to the Young lieu
tenant. barely six months agonc. was
striving To welcome the shrinking little
scarc-faccd thing that blindly and
helplessly had drifted In In the elder
sisters wake. The introductions that
followed. after the American fashion.
were as perfunctory as wcll-bred wom-
EN- can permit. The greetings were al
most solemn. smileless. and. on part
of Nita. futtering to the verge of II
faint; and nothing but Witchic's
plucky and persistent support. and the
light flow of airy chat ard laughter.
carried her through the ordeal. The
two young soldiers stood stflly back.
cdfacr,l Und black-browcd: the father,
pallid and cold, could hardly force him
self 10 unbend. yet his lips mumbled The
name Mrs. Frost" us he bowed at
prcscntatinn: Miss Prime stood erect |
and trembling: Miss Lawrence. with |
brave eyes but heightened color. To |
leave at once was impossible: To re-.
main was more than embarrassment. |
Most gallanily did they battle. Mrs.
Marsdcn and Mrs. Frank. to lift the |
wet blanket from the group and relieve
the strain. Reward came To crown
their efforts in strange, unlooked-fo,
fashion.
ITO he Continued