Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1900-06-27
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~, answered the helpless master OF
the house, lodging now the warning
and reproach in the eyes of his wiser
mate at the other end Of the table. The
crack of a coachman's whip and the
swift beat of trotting, hoofs. on the
graveled road in front could be heard
as he faltered on. The CLEAN of cab
lights came floating through the north
ward shrubbery. Except, of course,
when they happen to be-er-already,
well, you know, at Hong-Kong or Maya
saki," he lamely concluded. -.
There was an instant hurried glance
exchanged between Gray and Prime.
Then up spoke in silvery tone their
hostess: ~
"Other officers, you know, are or
dered home. We have just heard to-
day that Col. Frost comes very soon.
His health seems quite shattered. I
believe-you knew-of them-slightly
that is to say, Miss Prime, did you
not?" But even with her words she
cast an anxious glance along the dim
reach of the lanai, for the pita-pat Of
footballs, the swish of feminine dra-
peries was distinctly heard. Two
dainty, white-robed forms came float
ing into view, and, with changing color,
their hostess suddenly arose and
stepped forward to meet them. Just
one second of silence interviewed, then,
all grace and gladness, smiles and cor
diality, both her little hands out
stretched, Mrs. Frank Garrison came
dancing into their midst, her sister
more timidly following.
"Dear Mrs. Marsden, how perfectly"
kiss, kiss-"delicious! Yes, this is
the baby sister I've raved to you about.
We go right on with the Doric; but
had to bring her out with me that you
might have just one glance at her.
Why! Mr.. Prime! Why, what could
be more charming than to find you
here? And Gov too-you wicked
boy! What won't do to you for never
telling me you were in Manila? And
Mildred! "-kiss. kiss-despite a pal
pable dodge and heightened color on
the part of the half-dazed recipient.
"And you, too, Miss Lawrence?" Both
hands, but no kiss-one hand calmly
accepted. "Ah, then I know how happy
you are, Mr.. Willie Gray!" beaming
arched smiles upon that flushed and
fustered young officer. Then, turning
again to Irvine a jeweled arm about the
slim waist of their hostess, to whom
she chung as though defying any ef-
fort to dislodge, yet pleading for pro-
ssHNh1 oorfh oo1111 houo
foretold that we of all people should
have met out hereof all places? How
long did you say you had been out here?
A week? And of course, dear Mrs.
Marsden has done everything to make
it. lovely for you. I should have died
without her." And so the swift play of
words went on, the rapid fire of her
fluent tongue covering the movement
of her allies and drowning all posi-
bility of reply. It was an odd and try
ing moment. Mrs. Marsden, we'll know
ing, as who in Honolulu did not, of Mrs.
Franks devotion to the young lieu
tenant, barely six months agone, was
striving to welcome. the shrinking little
scare-faced thing that blindly and
helplessly had drifted in in the elder
sisters wake. The introductions that
followed, after the American fashion.
were as perfunctory as well-bred wom-
en- can permit. The greetings were al
most solemn, smileless, and, on part
of Nita, futtering to the verge of q
faint; and nothing but Witches
plucky and persistent support, and the
light flow of airy chat and laughter,
carried her through the ordeal. The
two young soldiers stood stiffly back.
red-faced and black-browed; the father,
pallid and cold, could hardly force him.
self to unbend, yet his lips mumbled the
name Mrs. Frost,' as he bowed at
presentation; Miss Prime stood erect
and 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.
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