Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1900-05-25

swore they didn't know, but the maid
lid know. With the quick intuition of
her sex and class she had seen that
there was or had been a young lover,
and sympathy for Nita and dislike for
Frost, who gave no tips, prompted her
TO hide ii until she could slip il 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
Mia 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 il was
n horrid blow. But there was no re-
course. Nita begged that she might
stay with her sister. She could not
hear the idea Of going. Frost knew that
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 IIong-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 90 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 go by transport, you would have
gone by the Empress of India. It's only
90 hours from Manila to ong-Kong,
and | could have joined you soon after
your arrival. AS il is ! shall see you
tdA'AN - Ia DllNItA AlA'AN nave IL NANA =
TO certain prominent English people
then shall 20 over TO join the fleet when
il arrives IN Manila bay
That night she wrote long and des-
perately to Margaret. He swore he
would follow me wherever we went IN
til | granted him the interview. You
know how he logged me in Washington,
60 Il
ment he may address me here. +. will
not let me return 10 you. He insists on
my going to IIoug-koug, where he can
occasionally join me. But Rollin holds
those letters over me like a whip, and
declares that be Will give them into
Frosts hands unless ! see him when
ever he presents himself. You made
me swear to Frost never cared a straw
for my darling that was. o God, how
| loved him! and if these letters ever
reach the man TO whom you have sold
me, he would treat me as he would q
dog, even if he doesn't kill me. Meg
Meg-you must help me, for l live in
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 could
not come TO luncheon she wss served
in their rooms. If she had to go calling
or shopping it was in a carriage and
always with some army woman whom
she could persuade 70 GO with her.
One day, just before their intended
departure, she drove out paying part
ing calls. II 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 a tall young man,
erect and slender, dressed in a dark
travelling suit, fairly confronted her,
raised his derby and said: You can
give me ten minutes now, Mrs. Frost
BE good enough 10 take my arm"
To be Continued