The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1900-03-16


substantial as a wisp of vapor, as she
came down the aisle on his arm. They
were so far to the south on this honey
moon trip as almost to feel the shock
and conclusion when the Maine was
blown to mass of wreckage. They
were in Washington when the congress
demanded full satisfaction of Spain,
and Col. Frost was told his leave was
cut short-that he must return to his
station at once. Going first to the Ar
lington and hurriedly entering the
room. he almost stumbled over the
body of his wife, lying close to the
door in swoon from which IL took
some time and the efforts Of the house
physician and the maids TO restore her.
Questioned later as to the cause she
wept Historically and wrung her hands.
She didn't know. She had gone to the
door to answer a knock, and got dizzy
and remembered nothing more. What
became of the knocker? She didn't
know. Frost inquired at the Office. A
bellboy was found who said he had
taken up card in an envelope given
him by young Teller who seemed
kind o. sick. Mrs. Frost took it and
Topped" and chambermaid ran in to
her, and then hurried for the doctor.
"What became of the letter or note or
card ?" asked Frost, with suspicion OF
jealousy in his heart. Two women,
mistress and maid, and the bellboy
swore they didn't know, but the maid
did know. With the quick intuition of
her sex and class she had seen that
there was or had been young lover,
and sympathy for Nita and dislike for
Frost, who gave no tips, prompted her
to hide IT until she could slip it safely
into Nita's hand, Nita who read, shud-
dered, tore it into minute scraps, and
wept more. face downward, on the bed.
They had reached their winter station
before the cable flashed the stirring
tidings of Dewey's great victory in Ma
Mia bay, and within half week came
telegraphic orders for Col. Frost to pro-
coed at once to San Francisco, there to
await instructions. The first expedi-
ton was organizing when he arrived,
his pallid little wife by his side, and
there were his instructions to proceed
to Manila as chief of his department.
an independent position, and yet it was
II horrid blow. But there was no re-
course. Nita begged that she might
stay with her sister. She could not
bear the idea OF going. Frost knew that
no women could accompany the expedi-
ton, and, shipping his chest and desks
by the transport, he had secured passage
for himself and wife to Hong-Kong on
one of the splendid steamers of the
English line from Vancouver, and so In
formed her. 1t dashed Nita's last hope.
They were occupying fine rooms at the
Palace hotel. The city was thronged
with officers and rapidly arriving
troops. Other army women, eager to
accompany their husbands. were rail
ing at the fate that separated them, and
Nita had been forced to conceal the JOY
with which she heard their lamenta-
lions. But she had yet to learn how eN.
acting Frost could be. 1t had never oc-
CURED 10 her that he could obtain per
mission to 90 except 10y transport. il
had not seemed possible that he would
take her with him. "You should have
known" said he, that even il 1 had had
to go by transport YOU would have
gone by the Empress OF India. 1t is only
co hours from Manila to HOng-Kong
and could have joined you soon after
your arrival. As it is | shall see you
safely established there have letters
10 certain prominent English people
then shall go over to join the fleet when
it arrives in Manila bay"
That night she wrote long and des-
perateiy TO Margaret. "IIe swore he
would follow me wherever we went I'M
til | granted him the interview. You
know how he logged me in Washington,
followed me to Denver, and any mo-
ment he may address me here. f. will
not let me return to You. He insists on
my going to Hong-Kong, where he can
occasionally join me. But Rollin holds
those letters over me like a whip, and
declares that he will give them into
Frost's hands unless | see him when
ever he presents himself. You made
me swear to Frost / never cared q straw
for my darling that was. o God, how
l loved him! and II these letters ever
reach the man TO whom yol have sold
me, he would treat me rs he would Il
dog, even If he doesn't kill me. Meg
Meg-you must help me, for ! live in
terror"
CONpINIrEn