Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1900-05-04

"Capt. Schuyler, do Mr.. Gray's broth.
er officers really consider him In dan
ger of dismissal?"
miss Lawrence, grieve to say that
not one has any other opinion now"
There could be no doubt of it, Amy
Lawrence turned very pale and her
beautiful eyes filled.
ut Is n shame!" she said after a
moments struggle to conquer the
trembling of her lips. "Has--is there
no one-infuential enough-or with
brains enough (this with returning
color) to take up his case and clear
him?"
They were whirling through the
beautiful drive of the Golden Gate
park, passing company after company
at drill. Even as Amy spoke Schuyler
lifted his cap and Miss Prime bowed
and smiled. A group of regimental Of
ficers. four in number, stood, apparent
ly supervising the work, and as Miss
Lawrence quickly turned to see who
they might be, her eyes met those Of
Col. Armstrong. Five minutes later the
carriage returning drew up. as though
by some order from it's occupants. at
that very spot. Armstrong and his adj
! jutant were still there and promptly
| joined them.
| Long weeks nfterward that morning
lived in Stanley Armstrong; memory.
1t was one of those rare August days
when the wind blew from the south
east, beat back the drenching Pacific
fogs and let the warm sun pour upon
the brilliant verdure of that wonderful
park. Earth and air, distant sea and
dazzling sky, all seemed clarifying their
Creator. Bright-hued birds flashed
through the foliage and thrilled the
ear with their caroling. The plash of
fountain fell softly on the breeze, min
gled with the rustling of the luXuriant
growth of leaf and flower close at hand.
1t was not chance that brought the
stalwart soldier instantly to Amy's
side. Her gaze was upon him before
the carriage stopped, and irresistibly
drew him. The man of mature years,
the hero Of sharp combats and stirring
campaigns with fierce and savage foe,
| the commander of hundreds of eager
and gallant men, obeyed without
thought of demur the unspoken sum-
mons of a girl yet in her teens. There
was new light in her clear and beau
ttiful eyes, flush upon her soft and
rounded cheek, a little futter, possibly,
in her kind and loyal heart. Heaven
knows his heart beat high with an emo
tion he could not subdue, though his
bearing was grave and courteous IFS
ever, but about that sweet and flushing
face there shone the halo of woman's
brave determination, and no sooner had
he reached the carriage side than, bend
ing toward him, she spoke. Mildred
Prime could not repress a little gasp Of
amaze.
"Col. Armstrong, will you kindly
open the carriage door? want to talk
with you moment"
Without word he wrenched the
handle and threw wide the door. Light
as bird she sprang to the ground, hel
fingers just touching the extended
hand. Side by side they strolled away
across the sunlit lawn, he so strong,
virile, erect, she so lissome and grace
full. Full Of her purpose, yet fearful
that with delay might come timidity,
she looked up in his face:
"Col. Armstrong, I have heard only
to-day that Mr.. Gray is in really serious
danger. VIII you tell me-the truth?"
Just what Armstrong expected 1t
might be bard to say. The light that
had leaped to his eyes faded slowly and
his face lost something Of the flush OF
robust health. There was brief pause
before he spoke as though he wished
time to weigh his words.
II fear it is true" he gravely said.
Then in u moment: Miss Lawrence
will you not take my arm?" And he
felt her hand tremble as she placed it
there. 1t was a moment before she be.
gan again.
"They tell me he should have counsel,
but will not heed. / have not seen him
to-day. There is no one in his battalion,
it seems, whom he really looks up to.
He Is headstrong and self-confident.
Do you think he should-that he needs
one?" And anXiously the brave eyes
sought the strong, soldierly face.
ut would seem so, Miss Lawrence"
She drew Il long breath. She seemed
to cling little closer to his arm. Then
straight came the next questions:
Sol. Armstrong, will you do me a
great favor? viii you be his counsel?"
He was looking directly to the front
as she spoke. Something told him what
was coming, yet he could not answer
all at once. What did it mean, after all,
but just what he had been thinking for
week, that the girls fresh young
heart had gone out to this merry, hand
some, soldierly Lad, whom he, too, had
often marked with keen appreciation
when in command of his big company
at drill. What possible thought of hers
could he, more than twice her years."
have ever hoped to win? She had come
to him in her sor. trouble-and her |
lover's-as she would have gone to her
father had he been soldier schooled in |
such affairs. Armstrong pulled himself
together with quick, stern self-com-
mand.
Looking down, he saw that her eyes
were filing, her lips paling, and rush
of tenderness overcame him us he sim
ply and gently answered.:
eyes, and there is no time to be lost"
All these last days, it will be remem.
bered, Mrs. Frank Garrison with pref
ty CHERRY Ripe" had found shelter at