Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-02-14
,abin in which only one could dress at


q time. There were only two apart
ments on the big craft that were not
filed to their capacity-the room occu-
pied by that sea monarch, the captain,
and that which, from having been the
''ladies boudoir," had been fitted up
for the accommodation of the general.
The piano had been wheeled out on
deck, the writing table slowed away,
and a fine new wide brass bedstead,
with dainty white curtains and mos
quito bar, large bureau and a wash
stand had been moved in, and these,
with easy-chairs, electric fans, electric
lights and abundant air, made it the
most desirable room on the ship. Even
Armstrong, colonel commanding the
troops aboard, was compelled to share
his little cabin with his adjutant, and
the generals aides were bundled into
q skinny" box between decks. There
really seemed no place for Mrs. Gar
rison aboard, especially when it was
found that the passenger list was to be
increased by three, a surgeon and two
officers going forward from Honolulu;
and one of these was our old friend and
once lightrhearted Billy Gray, now
nearly convalescent, but weak and, as
all could see, feverishly eager to get on
to Manila.
All this was explained to the senator.
1t was even suggested that there was
room for Mrs. Garrison on the Louis
lana, o safe old tub, if she was slow;
but Mrs. Frank looked SO pathetic and
resigned when this arrangement was
suggested that no one had the hardi-
hood to actually dwell upon it, and the
senator said it was shame to think of
it. With whom of her own sex could
she associate on that long, hot voyage
ahead of them? Why not transfer some
of the Red Cross nurses to the Louis
lanai Mrs. Garrison had no objections,
but they had; and the surgeon in
charge made prompt and vigorous pro-
test. He knew Mrs. Frank, and she
knew him and did not in the least de-
spair. She still had plan. There was
n cozy dinner one evening-just the
evening before the departure of the
Queen, and the gallant captain of the
ship, the veteran general, the quarter
master in charge of transportation, the
member of the senate military commit
tee, some charming girls-but none so
charming as Mrs. Garrison-were OF
the party. There was some sentiment
and much champagne, as o result of
which, at one a. M, the big-hearted sea
monarch aforementioned swore by the
bones of his ancestorsin the Shiny
grasp of Davy Jones that that sweet
little woman shouldn't have to go
a-begging for accommodations on his
ship. If the general would condescend
to move into his room, by thunder, he'd
sleep up in his foul-weather den next
the chart room, and Mrs. Garrison
God bless her!-could take the gener-
ais room, and be queen of the ship
queen of the Queen-queen of queens
by Jupiter! and here's her health with
all honor! A soldier, of course, could
be no less gallant than sailor, espe-
cially as the captains room was bit
better than the "Boudoir," and had an
lice chest and contents that the veteran
campaigner was hidden to consider his
own. The agreement was clinched that
very night before the party broke up;
and little Mrs. Frank shed tears of
gratitude upon the generals coat
sleeve and threw kiss after kiss to the
handsome sailor as she hung over the
balusters of the broad veranda and
waved them away in their swift-run-
ming cabs, and then danced off to her
room and threw herself on the bed aft
er mad pirouette about the spacious
apartment, and laughed and laughed
until real tears trickled from her eyes
and then gave orders to be called at
seven o'clock. She meant to be up and
aboard that ship with all her luggage
before sense and repentance could
come with the morning sun-before
either soldier OF sailor could change
his mind.
To the amaze of the women already
aboard, to the grave annoyance of Col
Armstrong, to the joy of poor Billy
Gray, and the mischievous merrimen'
of several youngsters on the commits
stoned list, Mrs. Frank Garrison, thu
latest arrival, became sole occupant o.
the finest room on the ship; and it wa!
bower of lilies and tropical fruit ant
flowers the breezy day she sailed away
from the bay of Honolulu.
No time need be wasted in telling tn,
effect of this assignment to quarters.
Prolific source of squabble as is tn.
custom ashore it becomes intensified
, afoat, and, when coupled with it came
shaking up and Encouragement O.
seats at table, all hope of harmony van
ished on the instant. The two brav,
young army girls still retained theil
seats at the captains table; but two
: most estimable young women, Rec
j, Cross nurses, were dropped therefron
r and transferred to that of the SECOND
r officer on the port side, much to til,
r comfort of rather large percentage
! of their sisterhood who had regarded
their previous elevation with feeling
e of not unmiXed qualification. Thel
officers who had been seated with tn
E generals staff had to vacate in favor o
Mrs. Frank and DR.. Prober and Lieut.
Billy Gray, whose father and the chic
, were longtime chums, and the Rec
: Cross nurses who had been at the frs
r officers table fell back to that of tn
] third. 1t was every bit as good as tn
, other, but it didn't sound so, and the,
!, couldn't see it; and there were face
: sour as the product Of the ships bake
: when that evening oil hands went dow
J. to dinner, and the silence maintained
S or the ominously subdued tone of tn
! talk, at the other tables was in marke'
S contrast with the hilarity that pre-
vailed where sat the gray haired, rudy
/ checked old chief and the laughin,
: coterie that listened to the fun that fel
from the lips of Witchie Garrison
/ Armstrong, silent and somber, at tn
i captains right, looking forward fror
+ time to time, saw only one face at tn
s generals table that was not lighted u
with merriment; it was the face of tn
5 boy he envied, if envy of this kind eve
q entered into his heart, and he wondere
r as he looked at Billy's curly head wha
q could have come over that glad youn
1 life to leave SO deep shadow on hi
a handsome face.
TO RE CONTINUED.