Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1900-06-07

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that with delay might come. tinidity,
size looked UP in lis face:
Col. Armstrong, I have heard only
! to-day that Mr. Gray is in really serious
danger. VIII, you tell me-the trutb 2''
just what Armstrong expected il
might be hard 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.
Il fear il is true" he grave1y said.
Then in moment: Miss Lawrence.
will you not take my arm o. And he
felt her hand tremble as she placed il
there. 1t was a moment before She be
gan again.
They tell me he should have counsel,
but viii 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-confdent.
Do you think he should-that he needs
one?" And anXiously the brave eyes
sought The strong, soldierly face.
1T would seem SO, Miss Lawrence"
to cling little closer to his arm. Then
straight came the next question:
Sol. Armstrong, will you Go 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
ell at once. What did Il mean, after all,
but just what he had been thinking for
a 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
conld he. more than twice her years."
have ever hoped to win? She had come
TO him in her sore trouhle-and her
lover's-as she would have gone to her
father had he been a soldier schooled in
such affairs. Armstrong pulled himself
together with quick, stern self-com-
mand.
Looking down, he saw that her eyes
were filling, her lips paling, and rush
of tenderness overcame him as he sim
ply and gently answered.:
All these last days it will be remem-
bered, Mrs. Frank Garrison with pref
ty Cherry Ripe" had found shelter at
the Preside. The palace was no place
for poor soldiers wife, and there was
no longer a grateful nabob as a possible
source of income. II is doubtful indeed
whether that mine could be further
tapped, for the ELUSIVE brother-in-law
of the winter gone by had found dis
illusion in more ways than one. Gar
rison. busy day and night with his staff
duties, had plainly to tell his capri
cious wife that she had come without
his knowledge or consent, and that he
could not think of meeting the expense
of even a two weeks stay in town. lie
could not account for her coming at
ALL He had left her with his own peo-
pIr wIcrs At least she would be in com
Capt. schuyler do Mr. tray Dron-
er officers really consider him in dan
ger of disnissal?"
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 filed.
u; is shame.' she said, after
moments struggle TO conquer the
trembling of her lips. 'IIas--is there
no 0ne-influential enough-or with
brains enough (this with returning
co!or) 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 \ group of regimental Of
ficers. four III number. stood, apparent
u 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
biz some order from its occupants. at
that very SPOT. Armstrong and his adj
iutant were still there and promptly
joined them.
Long weeks afterward that morning
lived in Stanley Armstrong; memory.
II 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. dista9t sea and
dazzling sEr. ali seemed giorifying their
Creator. Bright-hued birds flashed
through tie f9liags aud thrilled the
ear with their car0ling. The plash of
fountain fell softly on the breeze, min
gled with the rustling Of the luXuriant
growth of leaf and flower close AZ 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 ST mature years.
the hero of sharp combats and stirring
Campaigns with a fierce and savage foe,
the commander Of hundreds of eager
and gallant men. obeyed without
thought Of demur the unspoken sam