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

Marsden as he spoke and quietly pass
ing Mrs. Garrison in SO doing. The
next moment he was shaking hands
with the entire party, coming last of all
tC Amy Lawrence.
"They told me of your being here"
he said, looking straight into her clear,
beautiful eyes; "and l thought might
find you at Mrs. Marsden's. She was
our best friend when we were in Homo
lulu. They told me, too, that you de-
sired to go by the Doric, but feared she
would be crowded." he continued, turn
ing to Mr.. Prime. "There is one vacant
stateroom now. Its occupants have de-
cided to stay over and visit the islands.
There will be, think, another" And
drawing letter from an inner pocket
he calmly turned to Mia, now shrink
ing almost fearfully behind her sister.
"The colonel gave this to me to hand
to you, Mrs. Frost, on the chance of
your being here. He will arrive by next
weeks steamer, and, pardon me, 1t is
something l think you should see at
once, as a change in your plans may be
necessary"
1t was vain for Margaret to interpose.
The letter was safely lodged in her sis
ter's hands, and with SO significant
message that it had to be opened and
read without delay. Gayly eXcusing
herself, and with low reverence and
comprehensive smile to the assembled
party, she ushered her sister into the
long parlor, and the curtain fell behind
them. There followed a few minutes
of brisk conference upon the lanai, the
Marsdens pleading against, the father
and daughter for, immediate return to
the hotel, there to claim the vacated
rooms aboard the steamer. In the eager
discussion, pro and con, both young
soldiers Joined, both saying go" and
promising to follow by the Sedgwick.
In this family council, despite the vivid
interest Armstrong felt in the result,
neither Amy Lawrence nor himself took
any part. Side by side at the snowy
railing over the breaking sea they stood
almost silent listeners. Suddenly there
came from the front again the sound
of hoofs and wheels, loud and distinct
at the start, then rapidly dying away
with the increasing distance. Miss
Lawrence turned and looked inquiring-
ly into the eyes she well knew were
fixed upon her. Mrs. Marsden hesitated
one moment, then stepped across the
lanai, peered into the parlor and en-
tered. 1t was a minute before she re-
turned, and in that minute the decisive
vote was cast, the carriage ordered.
"Oh, ought to have known how it
would be if left you moment" she
cried, despairingly, on her reappear-
ance, little folded paper in her hand.
But at least you must stay half an
hour. We can telephone direct to the
dock and secure the staterooms, if you
must go on the Doric. Yes" she con-
tlnued, lowering her voice, they are
not going farther until Col. Frost
comes. Mrs. Garrison explains that her
sister was really too Ill and too weak
to come out here, but she thought the
drive might do her good. She thought
best to slip quietly away with her, and
bids me say good night to you all"
So, when next day the Doric sailed
four new names appeared upon the pas.
---o---'.-A--n nd The laes AiSi uo"4f rirs
stage, already trembling on the rise,
were two young fellows in white uni
form, who turned as they sprang to the
dock and waved their jaunty caps
Join you in ten days at 'Friscon
shouted the shorter of the two, gazing
upward and backward at the quartette
on the promenade deck. "Oh! beg a
thousand pardons," he added, hastily
as he bumped against some slender oh.
ject, and, wheeling about to pick ur
a flimsy white fan. he found himself
face to face with Witchie Garrison, ker-
chief waving, beaming, smiling, throw.
ing kisses innumerable to the party he
had so lately left. The hot blood rushed
to his forehead, an angry light to his
eyes, rs she nodded. blithely, forbear-
ingly, forgivingly at him. Dear boy
she cried, in her clear, penetrating
treble, show could you be expected to
see anyone after lcaving-her?" But
Cows arm was linked in his at the very
instant and led him glowering away,
leaving her close to the edge of the
crowded dock, smiling sweetness, bless
ing and bliss upon Il silent and unre-
sponsive group, and waving kerchief
and kisses to them until, far from shore.
the Doric headed out to sea.
They were nearing home again. Day
and night for nearly a week the good
ship had borne them steadily onward
over sea of deepest blue, calm and un-
/ el ho ;-.l