The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1900-08-02
CHAPTER xvIlI.-Coyr,Surp.

,umor over the silent semcirclc, sud
denly exclaimed: "0h, II Id only known
you were here, I could have provided
the one thing 20 make our reunion
complete! II were not going on ut
aaybreak I should do II yet" Then
hoofs and wheels and lights had come
20 n stop ut the front of the house.
and In measured. martial tread mans
footsteps were heard upon the lanai.
Then. all of a sudden. with a cry of JOY.
Witchic burst in again: "Should do
it'll shall do II! Said not I was
the fairy queen? Behold me summon
my subjects from the ends of the obedi-
cnt earth!" And. waving her parasol
as she would n wand. gayly pirouetting
ms she had that night In the tent at
old Camp Merritt, she danced forward.
'Sound We the trumpets, slaves! Hail
10 the chief! See the conquering hero
comes! Enter Brevct Brig. Gen. STAN
ley Armstrong!-though his arm is any
thing but strong"
Bowing gravely to the spritc in front
OF him. vaguely TO the group in the
shaded light ut the edge of the lanai,
and joyously to the little hostess. as
almost Historically she sprang forward
and clnsped his hands, the colonel OF the
Primeval Dudes stood revealed before
them.
"Col. Armstrong! How-whcn 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
mcnt that she was actually brcathless
with surprise.
''Shall | answer in their ortlcr?" said
he, smiling down at her flushed and joy
Gus face. "By the Scdgwick. This aft
crnoon. That wished Ia see you. Do
ing quite well. Because | didn't know
myself until two days before we sailed"
Then, as he stood pcering beyond her,
she would have turned him To- her other
guests had not Mrs. Garrison made in
stant and impulsi,c rush upon him.
'As fairy queen or fairy godmother
claim first speech" she gayly cried.
"What tidings of my licge lord. and
where is hers. my fairy sisters" she
demanded. waving in front of him her
iilmy parasol and prouctting with al
most giriish grace.
Capt. Garrison was looking fairly
well the day l sailed" he answered,
briefly, "and Col. Frost left for Hong
Kong only few hours before in hopes.
as we understand. of finding Mrs. Fros,
at Yokohama. Permit me-" he added,
with grave courtesy. Il have bat little
time, ns | transfer TO the Doric to-
night"
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.
Mars,lcn az 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.
"Thcy told me of your being here"
he said, looking straight into her clear,
beautiful eyes; and thought ! might
find you at Mrs. Marsdcn's. She was
our best friend when we were in Homo
lulu. They told me, too, that you de-
sired to go by the Doric, but feared she
would be crowded." lac continued, turn
ing to Mr.. Prime. ''Therc H. one vacant
stateroom now. Its occupants have de-
cidcd to stay over and visit the islands.
There will be. / think, another" And
drawing letter from an inner pocket
he calmly turned to Nita. now shrink
ing almost fcarfully behind her sister.
'The colonel gave this To me 10 hand
TO you, Mrs. Frost. on the chance Of
your being here. lie will arrive by nest
weeks steamer, and, pardon me. II is
something ! think you should see at
once. us "a change in your plans may bc
necessary"
II was vain for Margaret to interposc.
The letter was safely lodged in her sis
tcr's hands. and with so significant a
message that IL had to be opened and
read without delay. Gayly cXcusing
herself, and with IA low reverence and
comprehensive smile TO the assembled
party, she ushcrcd her sister into the
long parlor, and the curtain fell behind
them. There followed n few minutes
Of brisk conference upon the lanai, the
Ma-sdens pleading against. the father
and daughter for, immediate return Ia
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 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 ut the snowy
railing over the breaking sen they stood
almost silent listeners. Suddenly there
came from the front again the sound
of hoofs and wheels, loud and distinct
ut the start, then rapidly dying away
with the increasing distance. Miss
Lawrence turned and looked inquiring'
iy into the eyes she well knew were
fixed upon her. Mrs. Marsdcn hesitated
one moment, then stepped across the
lanai, peered into the parlor and en-
tered. II wns minute before she re-
turned, and In that minute the decisive
tote was east, the carriage ordered.
"Oh, I ought to have known how II
would be II left you moment!" she
cried, despairingly, on her reappear-
tnce, a little folded paper In her hand.
But ut least you must stay half an
hour. We can telephone direct to the
dock and secure the staterooms. II you
must 20 on the Doric. Yes" she con-
tlnued, lowering her voice, "they are
not going farther until Col. Frost
...u.. na.rlsa, a~nIai N TINT he n