Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1900-07-27

]
Tagal works that Sunday morning.
Billy would rather do that twice over
than have to face Armstrong; stern,
searching eyes, and hear again the cold,
/ almost contemptuous tone in which the
colonel said 10 him the day the doctor
| led his vanquished and hysterical
/ charmer from the room: Don't try TO
thank, man; try To think what you risk
what you deserve 10 lose-for putting
yourselfi in the power of such woman
From that day until this, here on the
/ banks of the swift-running Pasig, they
had not met at all; and il seemed to
/ Gray as though Armstrong had aged a
year. There was lump in his throat
as he went straight up 10 the colonel,
his blue eyes never tlinching, though
they seemed TO fill, and bravely spoke
col. Armstrong, | have an explanation
that | owe to YOU. VIII you give me a
few minutes on the gallery
Certainly, Gray" was the calm re-
ply; and the youngster led the way.
1t was a broken story. 1t told OF his
desperation and misery through Can
ker's persecution, OF his severe illness,
then 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 TO 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 i'm letting her believe he could
and would do so. That was the situa-
ton when they went on 10 Manila; and
Armstrong knew the rest-kncw 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 mostim
portant was placed in his uncle's trem-
bling hand.
But how was it-what was it 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
]
excellent imitation Of her husbands
hand and signature, authorizing the
changing Of guard arrangements on the
wharf the evening Stewart sailed. The
other was note in pencil, also purport-
ing to come from him, directing old
keeny-you remember the generals
Irish orderly-to search for packet Of
10. u |,
must be in the generals tent, either
about his desk or overcoat, and to
bring them at once TO room number so
and so at 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
swear he'd never tell the general or
anybody. If questioned he could plead
he had gone out, and got little full!
with the boys She gave him money
"A big bit, too; and he got more than
full. The very vehemence of his de-
mails made me suspect him." said Arm
strong; but he was firm when exam
ined. The general never required him
TO remain at the tent at night. He
could go 10 town any evening he
wished; and to cover his appearing at
the Palace where the general long had
a room, and where he was well known,
he could say he was only in to have a
word with one of the housemaids, and
10 give Mrs. Garrison a handkerchief
one of the ladies must have dropped. !
But one thing she failed injecting the
in the pocket of his old blouse, and
when he sobered up and all the ques-
tons were asked he hung onto it in
case the truth came out, in order that
he might save himself from punish
ment. But il broke him-he got to |
drinking oftener, and the general had |
TO send him TO his regiment; and then
when he heard of Canker's charge |
against you, l saw the way TO wiring
the truth out of him. He worshiped
your father, as did every Irish dragoon
that ever rode under him; and l told /
him you were, 10 be brought TO trial |
for the crime. Then he broke down /
and gave the tEuth--and her peRciled |
order-to me-"
In the silence that followed the SOL /
der of 40 and the lad of only 81 sat
looking grayely into each others face. /
1t was Armstrong who spoke again:
Gray, it was manly in you 10 tell I
me your story and your trouble. l I
could help you here; but-who can help |
you when you have 10 tell it-next |
Tune ?!
Next time father, do you mean ?"
queried Gray, puzzled look in his blue
eyes. II hadn't thought, do you know,
TO worry dear old dad-unless he
asked"
Armstrong; grave face grew dark
You ought to know what | mean,
Gray. This story may come up when
least you think for, and-would you
have il told Miss Lawrence before she
hears it from you?"
Miss Lawrence" answered Billy,
flushing, isn't in the least interested"
do you mean that you are not-that