Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1900-08-03

I
beautiful eyes; land thought might
find you at Mrs. Marsden's. She was
our best friend when we were in Homo
lulu. They told me, too, that you de-
sired TO 90 by the Doric, but feared she
would be crowded" he continued, turn
ing TO Mr. Prime. There is one vacant
stateroom now. It's occupants have de-
cided TO stay over and visit the islands.
Inere VIII be, 4 tnlnk, another. Ah,.
drawing a letter from an inner pocket
he calmly turned TO Mia, now shrink
ing almost fearfuhy behind her sister.
The colonel gave this 10 me TO hand
to you, Mrs. Frost, on the chance of
your being here. lie will arrive 10y next
weeks steamer, and, pardon me, il is
something / think you should see at
once as change in your plans may De
necessary
1t was vain fag Margaret 10 interpose.
The letter was safely lodged in her Sis
ter's hands, and with SO significant
message that it had to be opened and
read without delay. Gayly eNcusing
herself, and with low reverence and
comprehensive smile to the assembled
party, she ushered her sister into the
long parloT, and the curtain fell behind
them There followed a few minutes
of brisk conference upon the lanai, the
Marsdcns pleading against, the father
and daughter for, immediate return 10
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 10y the ScdgWick.
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 iuquiring
Is into the eyes she well knew were
fixed upon her Mrs. Marsden hesitated
one moment, then stepped across the
lanai, peered into the parlor and en-
tered. II was minute before she re-
luIANAs anu III AlAbA lliliANA AAiN Nv i-A'N
vote was cast, the carriage ordered.
"Oh. l ought TO have known how it
would be if | left you a moment" she
cried, despairingly, on her reappear-
ance, a little folded paper in her hand.
But al least you must stay half an
hour. We can telephone direct TO the
dock and secure the staterooms, if YOU
4 n,vt, A-.g - no
tinued. lowering her voice, they are
not going farther until Col. Frost
comes. Mrs. Garrison explains that her
sister was really too i'll and too weak
to come out here, but she thought the
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
upward and backward at the quartette
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
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 10 his
eyes. as she nodded, blithely, forbear-
ingly, forgivingly at him. Dear boy"
she cried, in her clear, penetrating
treble. chow could you be expected 10
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 20 them until, far from shore,
the Doric headed out 10 sea.