Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-03-14

She had too much SENSE
whittier they journeyed Amy Lawrence,
too, must go, said they; and, glad of OPP
portunity to see the land ofiperennial
bloom and sunshine, and wearied with
long, long months of labor in the serv-
ice of the Red Cross, the girl had will
ingly accepted their invitation. Coaled
and provisioned, the tran sport had
pushed on for the seyen-dayru for San
Francisco; but the recovering of his
long-lost son and the soft, reposeful at
mosphere Of the lovely yet isolated is
land group had SO benefited Mr.. Prime
that in family council it had been de-
cided wise for them to spend week
or ten days longer at the Royal Ha-
waiian; and the boys had found no diff
ficulty in holding over" for the Sedg-
wick, that followed swift upon the heels
of their own ship. Five joyous days had
they together, and this, the fifth, had
been spent in sightseeing beyond the
lofty Pail of the northward side. The
20. & o." liner was coming in from
Yokohama even as they drove away;
and as they sat at dinner on the open
lanai, long hours later, it had been
mentioned by their host that the Sedg-
wick, too, had reached the harbor dur
ing the afternoon, and that army peo-
pie were passengers on both liner and
transport. Billy Gray. for one, began
Sg TsR ohss kepHE rs Mas n eysr a
Philippines, and the Sedgwick left Ma
Mia full week behind their slower
craft.
ibid you hear who came with her?"
he somewhat eagerly asked, "or on the
Doric?" he continued, with less enthu-
siasm.
II did not" was the answer-.that
is, on the Sedgwick;" and the gentle
man halted lamely and glanced fur
lively and appealingly at his wife.
There was that embarrassing, interrog-
alive silence that makes one feel the
futility of concealment. 1t was Miss
Lawrence who quickly came to his re-
lief and dispelled the strain on the sit
uation.
II should fancy very few army peo-
| pie would choose that roundabout way
from Manila when they can come di-
rect by transport, and have the ship
to themselves"
"Well-er-yes; certainly, certain
| ly," answered the helpless master of
the house, lodging now the warning
and reproach in the eyes Of his wiser
| malta Mt tho thar opd of fba{ohlo IT. a
crack of coachmsn's whip and the
swift beat of trotting hoefs on the
| graveled road in front coulI be heard
as he faltered on. The CLEAN of cab
lights came floating through the north
ward shrubbery. Except, It course,
when they happen to be-er7-already,
well, you know, at Hong Naga-
saki," he lamely concluded.
There was an instant hurried glance
exchanged between Gray and Prime.
Then up spoke in silvery tole their
hostess:
"Other officers, you know. ire or
dered home. We have just herd to-
day that Col. Frost comes yer, soon.
His health seems quite shattered. 1
believe-you knew-of them-sfghtly
that is to say, Miss Prime, dill YOU
not?" But even with her woNs she
cast an anxious glance along th dim
reach of the lanai, for the pit-a- lat Of
footballs, the swish of feminine dra-
peries was distinctly heard. Two
dainty, white-robed forms came toat-
ing into view, and, with changing c,lor,
their hostess suddenly arose and
stepped forward to meet them. hist
one second of silence interviewed, thin,
AN grace and gladness, smiles and or
diality, both her little hands OFT
stretched, Mrs. Frank Garrison cane
dancing into their midst, her sistr
more timidly following.
Dear Mrs. Marsden, how perfectly
kiss, kiss-''delicious! Yes, this
the baby sister I've raved to you abou,
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
here9 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 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 eff
fort to dislodge, yet pleading for pro-
lection. who on earth could have
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. 1 should have died
without her." And SO the swift play of
words went on, the rapid fire of her
fluent tongue covering the movement