The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1901-07-18

without MIN. But 1 WISH you would
see Armstrong and tell him about Gray,
so that may know the whole situation
as soon as l return. Canker evidently
intended not to let us know his proofs.
He probably believes that he will find
more crednlous and complaisant lis
tener in Drayton; but his insinuations
pointed to Gray as at least an abettor
in the theft. and he went so far as to
say that if Armstrong could be brought
before the court some very interesting
testimony could be dragged from him,
and, finally, that both Armstrong and
Mrs.-well, the wife of staff officer
who is already well on the way to Ma
nila-might be compelled to testify. |
cannot bring myself to repeat more
that he said; but he was in ugly and al
most defiant mood, and | had to give him
"A dressing down. You may say to Arm
strong for me that do not believe one
word of Carloers calumny at his ex-
peuse or that of the lady in the case.
But he declared his intention of lay
ing the whole matter before Gen.
Drayton immed ately on bis arrival,
and it is best that Armstrong should
be prepared As for the lady, Canker
said she and Armstrong were very close
friends when they were at Fort Stan
hope ten years ago, though they no
longer meet as such.
'And that brings me to another mat
ter. ] declined positively to allow two
or three ladies, wives of officers, to 90
on to Manila with Canker's command;
and they said that as | had promised
Mrs. Garrison a passage had no right
TO refuse them. Pressed for their
authority, two very estmable women
told me that, at the Preside two DAYS
before we sailed, Mrs. Garrison openly
boosted of having my promise 10 send
her on the very next steamer. Now,
who is really the fabricator? | told
her positively that, with my consent,
she should not go: and She laughed de-
lightedly, and said She only asked as
a matter of form-the whole thing had
already been settled. Just see to it
that if any more transports start be-
fore my return no woman is permitted
aboard except, of course, authorized
nurses. Gray is very sick boy to-
night, but you might wire his father,
saying nothing of the arrest. that the
doctors are confident of his recovery in
course of time"
Armstrong read these pages twice
over before he looked up.
"How did this letter come ?" he asked.
by the Salvador yesterday"
And the next mail for Honolulu? ?"
queried Armstrong. rising from his
chair and banding back the folded let
ter.
The next mail closed an hour ago.
man. The China sails at two. No other
boat for week. Where are you going
now?"
'To camp for ten minutes. then to
the Presidio'
oh, come over to the club and have
bite tirst?" said the adjutant general,
rising and wriggling out of his uniform
coat as he did so. 81 won't keep YOU
half an hour"
THAT half hour may prove precious"
answered Armstrong, already at the
door. Many thanks, all the same"
We'll, hold on. What am / to saw
to the general as to Gray and those let
ters?' asked the staff officer, intent
upon the subject uppermost in his mind
at the moment.
you can't say anything that will
reach him before he returns. You have
just told me no other boat would start
for week. By that time he'll be com
ing home And with that Armstrong
let himself out and strobe to the ele-
vator, leaving his friend to cogitate
on the question over his luncheon. 1t
was decidedly that officers opinion that
Armstrong knew much more than he
would tell.
But Armstrong knew much less than
he himself believed. fastening back
to camp and ordering his horse, he was
soon speeding up the slope to the WIND
swept heights overlooking the Golden
Gate. The morning had opened fine
as silk, but by noon the sky was hiu-
den in clouds and the breath of the sea
blew in salt and strong. The white
caps were leaping on the crest of the
surges driving in through the straits
and the surf bursting high on the
Jagged rocks at the base of the cliffs. A
little coast steamer from Santa Bar
bara way came pitching and plungng
in from sea, and one or two venture
some craft, heeling far to leeward.
tore through the pillows and tossed
far astern frothing wake With
names and tails streaming in the stiff
gale, the troop horses of the Fourth
cavalry were cropping at the scanty
heritage down the northward slope.
and the herd guard nearest the road
lost his grip on his drab campaign hai
as he essayed salute and galloped of
on stern chase down the lorg ravin,
to the east, as the colonel trotted brisk
ly by. One keen glance over the bay
beyond rocky Alearraz had told him
the China was not yet away from her
pier He might have TO send a dispatch
by that swift steamer, and even then
1t would be six days getting to Hawaii.
Ii the department commander should
by that time be on his homeward Jour
ney the information would still be of
interest to the general commanding the
new military district at "the Cross
Roads of the Pacific" and of vast bene-
% - 1o& IL.