Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-01-09

uutleS, udu pldlHly 10 tel HIS cipil-
cious wife that she had come without
his knowledge or consent, and that he
| could not think of meeting the expense
of even two weeks stay in town. He
could not account for her coming at
all. He had left her with his own peo-
pie where at least she would be in COM
| fort while he took the field. He desired
| that she should return thither at once.
| She determined to remain and gayly
| tapped his cheek and babe him have
no concern. She could readily find
quarters, and so she did. The regu-
| lar garrison of the Preside was long
since afield, but the families of most
| of its officers still remained there, while
the houses of two or three. completely
furnished SO far as army furnishings go,
We're there in charge of the post quar-
termaster. From being the temporary
| guests of some old friends, Mrs. Frank
| opened housekeeping IN one OF these
vacated homes, and all her witchery
was called into play to make it the
most popular resort OF the younger ele-
ment at the post. Money she might
lack, but no woman could eclipse her
in the dazzle of her dainty toilets. The
Preside was practically at her feet be-
| fore she had been established 4s hours.
Other peoples vehicles trundled her
over to camp whenever she would drive.
Other peoples horses stood saddled at
her door when she would ride. Other
peoples servants flew to do her bidding.
Women might whisper and frown, but
for the present. at least, she had the
men at her beck and call. Morn, noon
and night she was on the go, the morn
ings being given over, as rule, to
gallop over the breezy heights where
the brigade or regimental drills We're
going on, the afternoons to calls, where
in it is ever more blessed to give than
to receive-and the evenings to hops
at the assembly room, or to entertain-
ing-charmingly entertaining the little
swarm of officers with occasional angels
of her own sex, sure to drop in ard
spend an hour. CHERRY" played and
sang and "made eyes" at the boys. Mrs.
Frank was winsome and genial and joy
Gus to everybody, and when Garrison
himself arrived from camp, generally
late in the evening, looking worn and
faded from long hours at the desk, she
had ever comforting supper and smil-
ing, playful welcome for her lord, MAX
ing much of him before the assembled
company, to the end that more than one
callow sub was heard to say that there
would be some sense in marrying, by
George, if a fellow could pick up wife
like Mrs. Frank. All the same the post
soon learned that the supposedly blest
aide-de-camp breakfasted solus on what
he could forage for himself before he
mounted and rode over to his long days
} labor at Camp Merritt. Another thing
was speedily apparent, the entente cor
dale between her radiant self and the
Primes was at an end, if indeed it ever
existed. She, to be sure, was sunshine
itself when they CHANGED to meet at
camp. The clouds were on the faces
of the father and daughter, while Miss
Lawrence maintained serene neutral
ity.
They were lingering in Frisco, still
hopefully, We're the Primes. The de.
tectives on duty at the landing stage
the evening Stewards regiment EN-
parked, swore that no one answering
the description of either of the two
young men had slipped aboard. Those
in the employ of the sad old man were
persistent in the statement that they
had clews-were on the scent, etc. lie
was sheep worth the shearing, and SO
while Mr.. Prime spent many hours il
consultation with certain of these so
called sleuth-hounds, the young ladies
took their daily drive through the park
generally picking up the smiling
Schuyler somewhere along the way, ant
rarely emitting a call, with creature
comforts in the way of baskets of fruit
upon the happy Billy, whose limit.
: We're no longer restricted to his tent
as during the first week of his arrest
but whose court was ordered to sit il
judgment on him the first of the com
ing week. Already it began to be wits
pered that Armstrong had mine t.
spring i'll behalf of the defense, but he
was so reserved that no one, even Cor
don, sought 10 question.
Armstrong is TRIUMPH" said Bfuy
to Miss Lawrence, one fair morning
He'll knock those charges silly
though Idare say l could have wormed
through all right; only, you see,
couldn't get out to find people to give
J evidence for me-
"Do you-see him often?" she asked
somewhat vaguely.
Armstrong;" exclaimed Billy, in
open-eyed amaze. why, he's here with
me every day"
but never" thought Miss Lawrence
Sin the morning-when we arep
The eventful Monday was duly rsh.
cred in, but not the court. That case
never came to trial. Like the crack
of whip an order snapped in by wire
on the Thursday previous-three reg
iments, the tenth regulars and the
"Primeval Dudes," Armstrong; SPLEEN
did regiment among them-to prepare
a9r sea voyage forthwith. More than
that. Gen. Drayton and staff were di-
rectsd to proceed to Manila at once.
Two-thirds of the members of the court
were from these regiments. A new de-
taal would be necessary. The general
sent for Armstrong.
Can't we try that case here and
now?" he asked.
Certainly" said Armstrong, "if
you'll send for Canker that he may be
satisfied"
| And Canker came and listened. 1t
was admitted that Gray had had n