The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1901-07-04

the writer Z
Primes and other people at the Palace
| think ] saw you in the supper room
There was much merriment at your
table. Mrs. Garrison seemed to be the
life of the party. Now, you left your
overcoat with the boy at the cloak
stand?'
mo, Armstrong. that's the odd part
of it. l only used the cape that even
ing. The coat was hanging atits usual
place when | returned late, with a
mass of new orders and papers. No!
mol But here, l must get back to the
that poor boys letter. What can you
hope with Il nature like that to deal
vith?"
Armstrong took The missive held out
to him and slowly read it, the general
studying his face the while. The let
ter bore no clew as to the whereabouts
Of the writer 1t read:
March /, 49,
1T Is six weeks since ] repaio all your
loving kindness, brought shame and sor-
row TO you and ruin to myself by desert
ing from West Point when NY commission
was but few short montha away. In an
hour of intense misery. caused Ly CIR
who had won my very soul. and whose
words and letters made me believe shs
would become my wife the month of my
graduation, and who. AS l now believe, was
then engaged to the man she married In
January. | threw myself away. My one
thought was 10 find her. and God knows
whG beyond.
II. can never be undone. My career is
ended. and can never look you in the face
again. AT first thought should show the
letters, one by one. TO the man SHE mar.
ried, and ask him what he thought OF his
wife. but that is too low. ] hold them be-
cause | have a mad longing TO see her
again and heap reproach upon her, but. II
l fail and should feel at any time that
my end is near. I'm going to send them TO
you to read-to see how / was lured. and
then. il you can. to pity and forgive.
"ROLLIN."
Armstrong; firm lips twtched I'M
der his mustache. The general, with
moist eyes, had risen from his chair and
mechanically held forth his hand.
Poor lad!" sighed Armstrong. "Of
course-you know who the girl WASP"
"0h. of course" and Drayton
shrugged his shoulders.
We'll. Wen have to CO." and led on to
the misty light without.
Over across the way were the head
quarters tents of big parade, hope
fully awaiting orders for Manila. To
their left, separated by a narrow space.
so crowded were the camps, were the
quarters of the officers of the -teenth
inf@ntry. and even through the veil OF
mist both soldiers could plainly see
along the line. Coming toward the gate
was Mr.. Prime, escorted by the major
just behind them followed Mildred and
the attentive Schuyler. But where was
Miss Lawrence? Armstrong had al
ready seen. Lingering. she stood at
Bi,ly's tent front, her car inclined to his
protruling pate. He was saying some
thing hat took time. and she showed no
inclination to hurry him. Miss Prime
looked back. then she and SCHUYLER ex-
changed significant smiles and glances.
There was rather n lingering hand
clasp before Amy started. Even then
she looked back at the boy and smiled.
II M said the general. as he gazed.
that youngster wouldn't swap places
with any subaltern in camp, even if he
is under charges"
There was no answer from the strong
soldier standing observant at his elbow.
But when the chief would have moved
Armstrong detained him. Zone more
question, general. In case you were
away and wanted something you had
LETT In this tent. you would send an aide
or orderly, or-would an order signed
py one OF your staff be sufiicient?"
II m well-yes, suppose it would"
said the general.
CONTINUED NEXT weel,