Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-01-02
CHAPTER x.

One of Col. Frost's consuming ambi-
tons was to be the head of his depart
ment, with the rank of brigadier gen.
eral, but he had strong rivals and knew
it. Wealth he had in abundance. It
was rank and power that he craved.
Four men-all with better war records
and more eXperience-stood between
him and that coveted star, and two Of
the four were popular and beloved men.
Frost was cold, selfish, intensely self
willed, indomitably persevering, and
though "close-fsted," to the scale Of a
Scotch landlord as rule, he would
loose his purse strings and pay we'll
for services he considered essential.
When Frost had consuming desire he
let no money consideration stand IN the
way, and for Mia Terriss he stood
ready to spend small fortune. Every
body knew Mrs. Frank Garrison could
never dress and adorn herself as she
did on poor Frank Garrison's pay, and
when she appeared with a dazzling
necklace and superb new gown at
the garrison ball not long after Frost
and his shrinking bride left for their
honeymoon, people looked at her and
then at each other. Mia Terriss was
sold to Jack" Frost, was the verdict,
and her shrewd elder sister was the
dealer. Mrs. Frank knew what people
were thinking and saying just as we'll
as though they had said it to her, yet
smiled sweetness and bliss on every
side. Frankly she looked up into the
faces of her sisters in arms: Il know
you like my necklace. Isn't it lovely :?
Col. Frost's wedding present, you
know. He said 1 shouldn't give Mia
away without some Fecompense, and
this is it." "
But that could have been only part
of it, said the garrison. An honorar-
ium in solid cash, it was believed, was
far the greater portion of the consider
alton which the elder sister accepted
for having successfully borne Mia
away from the dangers and fascina-
lions of the Point-baving guarded
her, dropping and languid, against the
advance of good looking soldier lads
at headquarters, and finally having, by
dint of hours of argument, persuasion
and skill, delivered her into the arms
of the elderly but well preserved groom.
All he demanded to know was that
she was fancy free-that there was no
previous attachment, and on this point
Mrs. Frank had salemnly averred there
was none. The child had had a foolish
fancy for cadet beau, but it amount
ed to absolutely nothing. There had
been no vows, no pledge, no promise
of any kind, and she was actually free
rs uir. So Frost was satisfied.
They made an odd lacking pair.
Frost was bony built but sturdy, and
Nita seemed like q fairy, indeed as UNI
substantial as n wisp of vapor, as she
came down the aisle on his arm. They
were SO far to the south on this honey
moon trip as almost to feel the shock
and conclusion when the Maine was
blown to q mass of wreckags, They
were in Washington when the congress
demanded full satisfaction of Spain,
and Col. Frost was told his leave was
cut short-that he must return to his
station at once. Going first to the Ar
lington and hurriedly entering the
room, he almost stumbled over the
body Of his wife, lying close to the
door in swoon from which 1t took
some time and the efforts Of the house
physician and the maids to restore her.
Questioned later as to the cause she
wept Historically and wrung her hands.
She didn't know. She had gone to the
door to answer q knock, and got dizzy
and remembered nothing more. What
became Of the knoeker? She didn't
know. Frost inquired ut the Office. A
bellboy was found who said he had
taken up card in an envelope given
him by young Teller who seemed
kind o. sick. Mrs. Frost took it and
Topped" and a chambermaid ran In to
her, and then hurried for the doctor,
what became Of the letten or note or
card2" asked Frost, with suspicion of
jealousy in his heart. Two women,
mistress and maid. and the bellboy