The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1900-04-13

| infantry came striding on to the pier.
The band, wheeling to one side, stood
at the entrance. playing them in, the
rafters ringing to the stirring strains
of The Liberty Bell" They were
still far down the long pier, the slop-
ing rifles just visible, dancing over the
heads of the crowd. No time was to
be lost. More tables were to be car
ried, but-who but that-"that little
army woman" could give the order so
| that it would be obeyed. Not one bit
| did the president like to do it, but
something had to be done to obtain
the necessary order, for the soldiers
who SO willingly and promptly obeyed
her beck and call were now edging
| away for a look ut the newcomers, and
Mrs. Frank Garrison, perched on the
| carriage step and chatting most vi
| vaciously with. it's occupants and no
longer concerning herself, apparently,
| about the Red Cross or its tables, had
! the qualification of finding herself ap-
preached quite as she had planned, by
two most prominent and distinguished
| women of San Francisco society, and
requested to issue instructions as to
the moving of the other tables. Ger
tainIy. ladies'" she responded. with
charming smiles. Just one minute,
Mildred. Don't drive farther yet" and
within that minute half dozen boys
in blue were Juggling at the first of
the tables still left on the crowded side
of the dock, and others still were bear
ing oil stoves, urns and trays. In less
time than it takes to tell it the entire
Red Cross equipage was on its way
across the pier, and when the COM
handing officer of the arriving reg
iment reached the spot which he had
planned to occupy with his band, his
staff and all his officers, there in state
and ceremony to receive the citizens
who came in swarms to bid them fare
well, he found it occupied by as many
as eight snowy, goody-laden tables.
presided over by as many as so charm
ing maids and matrons, all ready and
eager to comfort and revive the inner
man of his mighty regiment with cof-
fee and good cheer illimitable, and the
colonel swore mighty oath and
bounced on his luckless officer Of the
guard. He had served as q subaltern
many year in the old army, and knew
how it was done.
Didn't I give you personal and posi-
tive orders not to let anything or any
body occupy this space after the bag
gage was got aboard, sir?" he de-
manded.
"You did, SIR" said the unabashed
lieutenant. pulling folded paper from
his belt, land the Red Cross got word
to the general and what the Red Cross
says-gocs. Look at that!"
The colonel looked, read, looked
dazed, scratched his head and said:
"Well, I'm damned!" Then he turned
to his adjutant. "You were with me
when I saw the general last night and
he told men to put this guard on and
keep this space clear. Now, what d'you
say to that?'
The adjutant glanced over the pen
ciled lines. 'Well," said he, 'if YOU
s'pose any order that discriminatcs
against the Rcd Cross is going to hold
good, once they find it out, you're
bound to get left. They're feasting the
first company now, sir; shall I have
it stoppcd?" and there was grin I'M
der the young soldiers mustachc. The
colonel paused one moment, shook his
head and concluded he, too, would bet
ter grin and bear it. Taking the pa
per in his hand again he heard his name
called and saw smiling faces and
reckoning hands in an open carriage
near him, but the sight of Stanley
Armstrong, signaling to him from an
other, farther away, had something
dominant about it. with you in
minute" he called to those who first
had summoned him. 'What is it, Arm
strong?''
II wish to present you to some
friends of mine-Miss Lawrence-Miss
Prime-Mr. Prime-my old associate.
Col. Stewart. Pardon me, Mrs. Gar
rison. did not see you had returned"
She had, and was once more perched
upon the step. Mrs. Garrison-Col
Stewart. What we need to know.
Stewart, is this: Will all your nen
board the ship by this stage, or viii
some go aft?"
"All by this stage-why?"
But the colonel felt somewhat mas
sive hand crushing down on his arx
and forcbore to press the question
Armstrong let no pause ensue. He
spoke. rapidly for him, bending for
ward. too, and speaking low; but even
as she chatted and laughed, the little