Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1900-04-21
wept Historically and wrung her hands
cn, diSr,+ l,rou, Che had rone to the


She didn't know. She had gone to the
door to answer knock, and got dizzy
and remembered nothing more. What
became of the knoeker? She didn't
know, Frost inquired at the office. A
bellboy was found who said he had
taken up q card in an envelope given
him by a young Teller who Seemed
kind o. alck. Mrs. Frost took 1t and
Topped" and q chambermaid ran in to
her. and then hurried for the doctor
"What became of the letter or note or
card?" asked Frost, with suspicion OF
jealousy in his heart. Two women
mistress and maid, and the bellboy
swore they didn't know, but the maid
did know. With the quick intuition OF
her sex and class she had seen that
there was or had been young lover
and sympathy for Nita and dislike for
Frost, who gave no tips, prompted her
TO hide 1t until she could slip it safely
into Nita's hand, Nita who read, shud-
dered, tore it into minute scraps, and
wept more, face downward, on the bed.
They had reached their winter station
before the cable flashed the stirring
tidings of Dewey's great victory in Ma
nila bay, and within half week came
telegraphic orders for Col. Frostto pro-
coed at once to San Francisco, there to
await instructions. The first expedi-
ton was organizing when he arrived,
his pallid little wife by his side, and
there were his instructions to proceed
to Manila as chief of his department.
an independent position, and yet 1t was
horrid blow. But there was no re.
course. Mia begged that she migh
stay with her sister. She could not
bear the idea of going. Frost ewthat
no women could accompany the expedi-
ton, and, shipping his chest and desks
by the transport, he had secured passage
for himself and wife to 1Iong-Kong on
one of the splendid steamers of the
English line from Vancouver, and so In
formed her. 1t dashed Nita's last hope.
They were occupying fine rooms at the
Palace hotel. The city was thronged
with officers and rapidly arriving
troops. Other army women, eager to
accompany their husbands, were rail
Ing at the fate that separated them, and
Nita had been forced to conceal the Joy
with which she heard their lamenta-
tons. But she had yet to learn how ex.
acting Frost could be. 1t had never oc.
Cured to her that he could obtain per.
mission to go except by transport. 1t
had not seemed possible that he would
take her with him. "You should have
known" said he, that even If had had
to 60 by transport, you would have
gone by the Empress Of India. tits only
60 hours from Manila to Hong-Kong,
and could have joined you soon after
your arrival. As it is shall see you
safely established there-I have letters
to certain prominent English people
then shall 60 over to join the fleet when
It arrives in Manila bay"
That night she wrote long and des
perately to Margaret. HE swore he
would follow me wherever we went UNI
til granted him the interview. You
know how he logged me in Washington,
followed me to Denver, and any mo-
ment he may address me here. F. will
not let me return to you. He insists on
my going to Hong-Kong, where he can
occasionally join me. But Rollin holds
those letters over me like whip, and
declares that he will give them into
Frost's hands unless / see him when
ever he presents himself. You made
me swear to Frost l never cared straw
for my darling thht was. o God, how
I loved him! and if these letters ever
reach the man to whom you have sold
me, he would treat me as he would a
dog, even If he doesn't kill me. Meg
Meg-you must help me, for live il
terror"
And that she lived in terror was true
some women were quick to see. Never
would she go anywhere, even along the
corridor, alone. If the colonel coulL
not come to luncheon she was served
In their rooms. If she had to go calling
Or shopping 1t was in carriage and
always with some army woman whom
she could persuade to go with her.
One day, just before their intended
departure, she drove out paying part
ing calls. 1t was quite late when the
carriage drew up at the Market street
entrance, the nearest to their elevator
The door boy sprang across the side.
walk to open the carriage, and as she
stepped YEARLY out tall young man.
erect and slender, dressed in dark
travelling suit, fairly confronted her
raised his derby and said: You can
give me ten minutes now, Mrs. Frost
BE good enough to take my ARM"
Bowling her head she strove to dodge
by, but it was useless. Again he con
fronted her. Piteously she looked ul
In his pale, stern face and clasped her
hands. "Oh, Rollin," she cried, give
me my letters. I dare not--see you
Have mercy" and down again she
went in senseless heap upon the stone.
Col. and Mrs. Frost did not sail with the
Empress of India. Brain fever set in
and for three weeks the patient never
left the hotel. Frost made his wife's
dangerous illness the basis of an appli.
cation to be relieved from the Manila
detail, but, knowing well it would b.
late summer before the troops could
be assembled there in sufficient force
to occupy the city, and that his clerk
and books had gone by transport with
the second expedition in June, the wal
department compromised on a permits
sion to delay. BY the time the fourth
expedition was ready to start there
was no further excuse; moreover, the
doctors declared the sea voyage wa!
just what Mrs. Frost needed, and again