Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1900-06-22

troops, and Mrs. Frank could not 90
without transports, the journey was
far too expensive. They wished her no
evil, of course; but if they were them
selves forbidden how could they rejoice
that she should be permitted? They
were actually beginning TO feel a bit
charitable toward her when the Queen
of the Fleet herself came in Honolulu
with the latest news. The fifth eXpedi-
ton had been halted there and put in
camp. The hospital held several Of
ficers. Billy Gray was down with brain
fever, and there had been u furious
scene between him and his peppery
colonel before the breakdown; and by
that same steamer Mrs. Garrison had
got a letter that had made her turn
white and tremble, as Mrs. Stockman
saw and told, and then shut herself up
in her room an entire day. Now for
nearly a fortnight the lovely guest had
been daily limiting that she really must
go home, dear Witchie" was surely
tired of her; and Witchie disclaimed
and protested and vowed she could not
live without her devoted friend. But
then had come that letter and with ii
change of tone and tactics. Witchie
ceased TO demonstrate or reproye Mrs.
Stockman, and the latter felt that she
must go, and Witchie consented with
out demur.
In no pleasant mood Armstrong
mounted and trotted for the east gate.
The road was lined with camps and vol
unteers at drill. Vehicles were fire.
'quently moving to and fro; but the
sentry at the entrance had kept track
Of them, and in response to question
answered promptly and positively Mrs.
Garrisons carriage had not come that
way. But" said he, 1.-The wagon with
the lady's baggage did. saw the name
On the trunks"
The colonel turned in saddle and
coony surveyed MN. DO YOU mean
Mrs. Stockman's name?" he asked, in
quiet tone. How many trunks were
there?"
ooh, some of them might have had
Mrs. Stockman's name, sir; but the two
or three that l saw were marked NJ c."
This was unlooked-for news. To her
neXt-door neighbor Mrs. Garrison had
said nothing about going away with
Mrs Stockman, and Armstrong had
grave need 10 see her and 10 see her at
once. The train for Los Angeles did not
leave. .--'i e. Possibly they were
= unu. -'enlnS' A"a-+o Wag be
mnching somewhere spending -
afternoon with friends in town. He
rode direct to headquarters. Some of
the staff might be able to tell, was his
theory; and one Of them justified it.
did happen to meet Mrs. Garrison?
Yes, | just saw her aboard the China
aboard the China exclaimed Arm
strong, with sudden thrill of excite
ment. "Dyou mean she is going?'
Didn't ask her They were hustling
every body ashore, and l had only time
to give dispatches to the purser; but
she was on deck with friends when l
came away"
People wondered that day at the
speed with which the tall officer, fol-
lowed by his orderly, clattered away
down Market street. In less than ten
minutes Armstrong was at the crowd
I'd pier and pushing through the throng
10 the China's stage. Too late! AL
ready it was swung aloft, the lines were
east loose. and the huge black mass
was just beginning to back slowly from
/ It's moorings. The rail of the prom
enade deck swarmed with faces, some
radiant, some fearful. Words Of adieu,
auttering kerchiefs, waving hands,
]
tide. Two officers, Honolulu bound,
shouted Armstrong; name, and a
.heery good-by; but he did not seem to
hear. a gentle voice, the voice OF all
others he most longed to hear, repeat
ID the name and stroye TO call atten-
ton TO his gesticulating comrades on
The upper deck; but he was deaf TO
both. Eagerly, anXiously, incredulous-
v he was searching along that crowded
rail. and all on a sudden he saw her
Yes, there she stood, all gayety, grace
md animation, stylishly gowned and
fairly burdened with roses; and it was
tight at him she was gazing, nodding
smiling, all sweetness, all confiding
trusting JOY; with just little of tri'
| umph, TOO, ana Il Uupe u scutlhuChl"I
sorrow in the parting. Apparently, il
was all for him; for her blue eyes never
ALTERED till they fixed his gaze, anc
hen, kiss after kiss she threw TO hin
with the daintily gloyed little hand
and, leaning far down over the rail
owering it toward him as much as pos
,ible, she finally tossed 10 him, stand
ng there stern and spellbound,
punch of beautiful roses she had tori
rom her corsase. 1t fell almost at hi
feet, for in his astonishment and ris
ng wrath he made no effort TO catch it
\ man, STOPPING quickly, rescued anC
landed it to him. Mechanically h
said: THANK YOU" and took it,
horn pricking deep into the flesh a
ne did so; and still his eyes were fiXe'
IN that fairy form now surely, swift.
gliding away, and over him swept TIT
consciousness of utter defeat, of exas
oeration, of dismay, even as he strov
10 fathom her motives in thus singing
aim out for such conspicuous-even at
Accommodation. TRUMP
and delight he could have understood
out not, not this semblance of conf