Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-02-14
e.,va.a.. ~, " F. r.uny.o. N.s,yl

were actually beginning to feel bit
charitable toward her when the Queen
of the Fleet herself came in Honolulu
with the latest news. The fifth eNpedi-
ton had been halted there and put in
camp. The hospital held several Of
fcers. Billy Gray was down with brain
scene between him and his peppery
colonel before the breakdown; and by
that same steamer Mrs. Garrison had
got letter that had made her turn
white and tremble, as Mrs. Stockman
saw and told, and then shut herself up
in her room an entire day. Now for
nearly fortnight the lovely guest had
been daily limiting that she really must
go home, dear Witchie" was surely
tired of her; and Witchie disclaimed
and protested and vowed she could not
live without her devoted friend. But
then had come that letter and with 1t
change of tone and tactics. Witchie
ceased to demonstrate or reprove Mrs.
Stockman, and the latter felt that she
must go, and Witchie consented with
out demur.
In no pleasant mood Armstrong
mounted and trotted for the east gate.
The road was lined with camps and vol
unteers at drill. Vehicles were fire.
quently moving to and fro; but the
sentry at the entrance had kept track
of them, and in response to question
answered promptly and positively Mrs.
Garrison's carriage had not come that
way. But" said he, 'the wagon with
the lady's baggage did. Isaw the name
on the trunks"
The colonel turned in saddle and
coolly surveyed him. "Do you mean
Mrs. Stockman's name?" he asked, in
quiet tone. "How many trunks were
there?"
ooh, some of them might have had
Mrs. Stockman's name, sir; but the two
or three that saw were marked M. G. !"
This was unlooked-for news. To her
next-door neighbor Mrs. Garrison had
said nothing about going away with
Mrs. Stockman, and Armstrong had
grave need to see her and to see her at
once. The train for Los Angeles did not
leave until evening. Possibly they were
lunching somewhere spending the
afternoon with friends in town. He
rode direct to headquarters. Some of
the staff might be able to tell, was his
theory; and one of them justified it.
Ibid happen to meet Mrs. Garrison?
Yes, l just saw her aboard the China"
aboard the Chinal" exclaimed Arm
strong, with sudden thrill of excite
ment. "D'you mean she is going?"
Didn't ask her. They were hustling
everybody ashore, and had only time
to give dispatches to the purser; but
came away"
People wondered that day at the
speed with which the tall officer, fol
lowed by his orderly, clattered away
down Market street. In less than ter
minutes Armstrong was at the crowd
ed pier and pushing through the throne
to the China's stage. Too late! AL
ready it was swung aloft, the lines were
cast loose. and the huge black mass
was just beginning to back slowly from
its moorings. The rail of the prom
enade deck swarmed with faces, some
radiant, some fearful. Words of adieu
auttering kerchiefs, waving hands
tossing flowers were there on every
side. Two officers, Honolulu bound
shouted Armstrong; name, and ,
.heery good-by; but he did not seem t.
hear. A gentle voice, the voice of al
others he most longed to hear, repeat
ed the name and strove to call atten
ton to his gesticulating comrades OF
the upper deck; but he was deaf t.
both. Eagerly, anxiously, incredulous
~ he was searching along that crowded
rail, and all on a sudden he saw her
Yes, there she stood, all gayety, grac'
and animation, stylishly gowned ant
fairly burdened with roses; and it wa
right at him she was gazing, nodding
smiling, all sweetness, all confding
trusting joy; with just little of tri
umph, too, and a tinge of sentimental
sorrow in the parting. Apparently, /
was all for him; for her blue eyes neve
.altered till they fixed his gaze, an,
then, kiss after kiss she threw to hin
with the daintily gloved little hand
+ and, leaning far down over the raj
lowering it toward him as much as pos
sble, she finally tossed to him, stand
e ing there stern and spellbound,
, bunch of beautiful roses she had tori
from her corsage. 1t fell almost at hi
feet, for in his establishment and ris
ing wrath he made no effort to catch il
A man, STOPPING quickly, rescued an
t banded it to him. Mechanically b
said: ''Thank you," and took it,
thorn pricking deep into the flesh a
he did SO; and still his eyes were ixe
on that fairy form now surely, swift
gliding away, and over him swept tn
consciousness of utter defeat, of exas
peration, of dismay, even as he strov
; to fathom her motives in thus singlin
him out for such conspicuous-evena al
INSTRUMENTATION TRUMP
, and delight he could have understood
but not, not this semblance of conf
, lential relations, not at least until b
t felt his arm grasped by a cordial hank
, leard his name spoken by a friendl
) voice, and Mr.. Primes pleasant il
| luiry: "Have you no greeting for othe
] friends?" Then the hot blood rushe
5 to his face and showed even throug
the bronze as, turning, his trouble
eyes met full the clear, placid gaze c
Amy Lawrence.