The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1900-05-11
CHAPTER XYIII.-CoNrNuEp.

j y
Again the blood rose guiltily to Billy's
cheek. Not yet had he made his peace
with his conscience and that valued
counselor and invaluable friend from
whose good graces he seemed 10 have
fallen entirely. Not once had oppor-
runity been afforded in which 10 speak
and open his heart 20 him. As for writ
ing. that seemed impossible. Billy could
handle almost any implement better
than pen. But even in the few min
ufes left him in which 10 think he knew
that now at least he must face the mu-
Sic like the man his father would
have him be. even though il took more
nerve than did that perilOus dash on the
Tagal works that Sunday morning.
Billy would rather do that twice over
than have 10 face Armstrong; stern,
searching eyes. and hear 29s:n the cold,
almost contemptunTs-t lone in which the
colonel said 10 him the day the doctor
led his Unpublished and hysterical
charmer from the room: Don't try 10
thank, man; try 10 think what you risk
-whatyou deserve 10 lOse-fOr putting
yourself in the power OF such a woman"
From that day until this, here on the
banks Of the swift-running Pasig, they
had not met At all: and il seemed 30
Grhy as though Armstrong had aged n
wear. There was a lump in his throat
as he went straight up 10 the colonel,
his blue eyes never flinching, though
they seemed 10 I'll. and bravely spoke.
Col. Armstrong. / have an explanation
that ] owe 10 you. VIII you give me 4
Few minutes on the gallery"
Certainly. Gray, was the calm re-
ply; and the youngster led the way.
IL was broken story. Ii told of his
desperation and misery through Can
ker's persecution, of his severe illness,
1hen Of the utter weakness and prostra-
ton; then her coming. and with her
comfort, peace. reinsurance. gradual
return 10 health. and with that. gradual
surrender 10 his nurses destinations.
Then her demand upon him, her plea,
her final insistence that he should prove
his gratitude and devotion by getting
for her those dangerous letters, and his
weakness in letting her believe he could
and would do so. That was the situa-
lion when they went on 10 Manila; and
Armstrong knew the rcst-knew that
but for his timely aid she might have
triumphed over his repentance; but
Armstrong had come. had vanquished
her and poor LatrObe's last wishes were
observed. The fateful packet contain
ing the three letters that were most i'm
pOrtant was placed in his uncle's trem-
bling hand.
But how was it-what was il that so
utterly crushed here" asked Billy. when
the colonel had once more extended his
hand.
The evidences of her own forgery,
her own guilt" said Armstrong. grave
~. ~One was the order she wrote in
excellent imitation of her husbands
hand and signature, authorizing the
changing OF guard arrangements on the
wharf the evening Stewart sailed. The
other was a note ia pencil. also purport-
ing 10 come from him. directing old
keeny-yOu remember the generals
Irish orderly-to search for a packet of
letters that had come by mail. and
must be in the generals tent. either
about bis desk or Overcoat, and 10
bring them al once 10 room number so
and so al the palace. OF course. neither
the general nor Garrison was there
when he arrived with them; but she
was, and with all her destinations. She
got the Irishman half drunk, and told
him a piteOus story and made him
swear he'd never tell the general or
anybody. If questioned he could plead
he had gone out. and got a little frli
with the boys She gave him money
q big bit, TOO; and he got more than
full The very Fehemence Of his de-
malls made me suspect him" said Arm
strong; but he was firm when exam
ined. The general nevey required him
10 remain at the tent =: night. He
could 90 10 town any evening he
wished; and 10 cover his appearing at
the Palace where the general long had
a room. and where he was well known.
be could say he was only in 10 have a
word with one Of the bousemaids, and
10 give Mrs. Garrison j handkerchief
one Of the ladies must have dropped.
But one thing she failed getting the
letter back Keeny had left it al camp
IN the pocket Of his old blouse and