Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-03-14

ing wment. Mrs. Marsden, well know
ing, al who in Honolulu did not, of Mrs.
Fsanis devotion to the young lieu
tenat, barely six months agone, was
s,riV to welcome the shrinking little
scar. faced thing that blindly and
hellessly had drifted in in the elder
ast4's wake. The introductions that
followed, after the American fashion,
web as perfunctory as well-bred wom-
tn Jan permit. The greetings were al
mott solemn, smileless, and, on part
of Eita, fluttering to the verge of a
faft; and nothing but Witches
pHcky and persistent support, and the
lijht flow of airy chat and laughter,
c1ried her through the ordeal. The
ITO young soldiers stood stifily back.
ydfaced and black-browed; the father,
Mild and cold, could hardly force him
Jlf to unbend. yet his lips mumbled the
fame Mrs. Frost as he bowed at
presentation; Miss Prime stood erect
Ind trembling; Miss Lawrence, with
brave eyes but heightened color. To
leave at once was impossible; to re-
main was more than embarrassment.
Most CALAMITY did they battle, Mrs.
Marsden and Mrs. Frank, to lift the
wet blanket from the group and relieve
the strain. Reward came to crown
their efforts in strange, unlooked-for
fashion. Hoofs, wheels and flashing
lights were again at the entrance gate,
even as Mrs. Frank, sparkling with
animation, distributing her gay good
denly exclaimed: "Oh, if I'd only known
you were here, I could have provided
the one thing to make our reunion
complete! If l were not going on at
daybreak / should do it yet" Then
hoofs and wheels and lights had come
10 stop at the front of the house,
and in measured, martial tread O mans
footsteps were heard upon the lanai.
Then, all of sudden, with a cry of Joy,
Witchie burst in again: SHOULD do
it'll shall do it! Said not was
the fairy queen? Behold me summon
my subjects from the ends of the obedi-
snt earth!" And, waving her parasol
as she would wand. gayly pirouetting
as she had that night in the tent at
old Camp Merritt, she danced 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"
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 claspcd his hands, the colonel of thu
Primeval Dudes stood revealed before
them.
Sol. Armstrong! How-when die
you get here? What does this mean
Is your arm quite well again? VIII.
didn't you let us know you were com
ing?" were the questions rained upol
him by Mrs. Marsden, Immediately fol
lowed by the somewhat illogical state
ment that she was actually breathles
with surprise.
"Shall answer in their order?" salt
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 didn't know
myself until two days before we sailed
Then, as he stood peering beyond her
guests had not Mrs. Garrison made in
slant and impulsive rush upon him.
"As fairy queen or fairy godmother
claim first speech" she gayly cried
"What tidings of my liege lord, an
where is hers, my fairy sister's?" sh
demanded, waving in front of him he
mosEE g affadh9l g ana nironeff'"' with a
Capt. Garrison was looking fairl
well the day I sailed" he answered
briefly, land Col. Frost left for Hong
Kong only few hours before in hopes
as we understand, of finding Mrs. Eros
at Yokohama. Permit me-" he added
with grave courtesy. II have but Ittl
time, as l transfer to the Doric to
night"
A shade spread over the radiant fac
one instant, but was as quickly swep
away. "And 1 have not met you
guests" he finished, turning to Mr..
Marsden as he spoke and quietly pass
ing Mrs. Garrison in SO doing. TIL
next moment he was shaking hand
with the entire party, coming last of al
to Amy Lawrence.
"They told me of your being here,
he said, looking straight into her clea,
beautiful eyes; land thought I nigh
find you at Mrs. Marsden's. She wa
our best friend when we were in Homo
lulu. They told me, too, that you de
sired to go by the Doric, but feared sh
would be crowded." he continued, turn
ing to Mr.. Prime. "There is one vacan
stateroom now. Its occupants have de
There will be, think, another" AN
drawing letter from an inner poke
he calmly turned to Nita, now shrink
ing almost fearfully behind her sister
1.-THE colonel gave this to me to han,
to you, Mrs. Frost, on the chance o
your being here. He will arrive by mex
weeks steamer, and, pardon me, it j
SSAAASsAAAA6 = SAAAhh yoo oAoo4A bSC q
once, as change in your plans may b
necessary"
1t was vain for Margaret to interpose
The letter was safely lodged in her sis
ter's hands, and with so significant
message that it had to be opened an,
read without delay. Gayly excusinl
herself, and with low reverence an,
comprehensive smile to the assembled
party, she ushered her sister into tn
long parlor, and the curtain fell behint
them. There followed few minute
of brisk conference upon the lanai, tn
Marsdens pleading against, the fathel
and daughter for, immediate return t.
the hotel, there to claim the vacated
rooms aboard the steamer. In the cage
discussion, pro and con, both young
soldiers joined, both saying "go," ane
promising to follow by the sedgwick
In this family council, despite the vivit
interest Armstrong felt in the result
neither Amy Lawrence nor himself tool