Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1900-07-11
CHAPTER XVTn-CoNTrH


copyright. 1899. by F. Tennyson Neely.l
CHAPTER XVIII.-CoNr1NUED
!, Hoofs, wheels and flashing lights
were again at the entrance gate,
even as Mrs. Frank, sparkling with
animation, distributing her gay good
humor over, the silent semicircle, sud
denly exclaimed: "Oh, if I'd only known
you were here, could have provided
the one thing to make our reunion
complete! If I were not going on at
daybreak I should do it yeti Then
hoofs and wheels and lights had come
to a stop at the front of the house,
and in measured, martial tread a mans
footsteps were heard upon the lanai.
Then, all of 4 sudden, with a cry of joy,
Witchie burstin again" "Should do
It'll shall do it! Said I not was
the fairy queen? Behold me summon
my subjects from the ends of the obedi-
ent earth!"1 And, waving her parasol
rs she would wand, gayly pirouetting
as she had that night in the tent at
old Camp Merritt, she7danced forward:
"Sound We the trumpets, slaves! Hail
TO the chief! See the conquering hero
comes! Enter Brevet Brig. Gen. STAN
ley Armstrong!-though his arm is any
thing but strong y--~s. .
Bowling gravely to the sprite in front
of him, vaguely to the group in the
shaded light at the edge of the lanai,
and joyously to the little hostess, as
almost Historically she sprang forward
and clasped his hands, the colonel of the
Primeval Dudes stood revealed before
them. x, @* -
''Col. Armstrong! How-when did
you get here? What does this mean?
Is your arm quite well again? Why
didn't you let us know you were COM
ing?" were the questions rained upon
him by Mrs. Marsden, Immediately fol-
lowed by the somewhat illogical state
ment that she was actually breathless
with surprise.
''Shall answer in their order?" said
he, smiling down at her flushed and joy
Gus face. by the Sedgwick. This aft
ernoon. That I wished to see you. Do
ing quite well. Because I didn't know
myself until two days before we sailed"
Then, as he stood peering beyond her,
she would have turned him to her other
guests had not Mrs. Garrison made in
slant and impulsive rush upon him..
''As fairy queen or fairy godmother I
claim first speech" she gayly cried.
"What tidings of my liege lord, and
where is hers, my fairy sister's?" she
demanded, waving in front of him her
filmy parasol and pirouetting with al
most girlish grace.
Capt. Garrison was looking fairly
well the day I sailed" he answered,
briefly, ''and Col. Frost left for Hong
Kong only few hours before in hopes,
as we understand, Of finding Mrs. Frost
at Yokohama. Permit me-" he added,
with grave courtesy. II have but little
time, as I transfer to the Doric to-
night" - y
A shade spread over the radiant face
one instant, but was as quickly swept
away. ''And have not met your
guests" he finished, turning to Mrs.
Marsden as he spoke and quietly pass
ing Mrs. Garrison in so doing. The
next moment he was shaking hands
with the entire party, coming last of all
to Amy Lawrence.
''They told me of your being here"
he said, looking straight into her clear,
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 60 by the Doric, but feared she
would be crowded." he continued, turn
ing to Mr.. Prime. "There is one vacant
stateroom now. Its occupants have de-
cided to stay over and visit the islands.
There will be, think, another" And
drawing aletter from an inner pocket
he calmly turned to Nita, now shrink
ing almost fearfully behind her sister.
"The colonel gave this to me to- hand
to you, Mrs. Frost, on the chance of
your being here. He will arrive by next
weeks steamer, and, pardon me, it is
something I think you should see at
once, as change in your plans may be
necessary" q 3 49, <aA~S
1t was vain for Margaret to interpose.
The letter was safely lodged in her sis
ter's hands, sandswith SO significant a
message that it had to be opened and
read without delay. Gayly excusing
herself, and with lowareverence and
comprehensive smile to the assembled
party, she ushered her sister into the
long parlor, and the curtain fell behind
them. There followed a few minutes
of brisk conference upon the lanai, the
Marsdens pleading against, the father
and daughter for, immediate return to
the hotel, there to claim the vacated
rooms aboard the steamer. Insthe eager
discussion, pro, and con, both young
soldiers joined, both saying '.go," and
promising to follow by the Sedgwick.
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 inquiring-
~ into the eyes she well knew were
fixed upon her. Mrs. Marsden hesitated
one moment, thenrstepped across the
lanai, peered into the parlor and en-
tered. It was q minute before she re-
turned, and in that minute the decisive
vote was cast, the carriage ordered.
''0h, / ought to have known how.,it