The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1901-08-08

and toyously to the little hostess. as
| almost Historically she sprang forward
and clasped his hands, the colonel of the
| Primeval Dudes stood revealed before
| them.
you get here? What does this mean?
Is your arm quite well again? Why
didn't you let us know you were com
! ing?" were the questions rained upon
him by Mrs. Marsden, Immediately fol-
lowed by the somewhat illogical state
ment that she was actually breathless
with surprise.
Shall l answer in their order?" said
he, smiling down at her flushed and joy
Gus face. by the Sedgwick. This aft
ernoon. That wished to see you. Do
ing quite well. Because 1 didn't know
myself until two days before we sailed"
Then, as he stood peering beyond her.
she would have turned him to her other
guests had not Mrs. Garrison made in
slant and impulsive rush upon him.
''As fairy queen or fairy godmother
claim first Speech" she gayly cried.
what tidings of my liege lord, and
where is hers. my fairy sister's?" she
demanded, waving in front of him her
filmy parasol and pirouetting with al
most girlish grace.
Capt. Garrison was looking fairly
well the day l sailed" he answered,
briefly, ''and Col. Frost left for Hong
Kong only a few hours before in hopes,
as we understand, of finding Mrs. Frost
at Yokohama. Permit me-" he added,
with grave courtesy. 81 have but little
IN
night"
A shade spread over the radiant face
one instant, but was as quickly swept
away. "And 1 have not met your
guests" he finished, turning to Mrs.
Marsden as he spoke and quietly pass
ing Mrs. Garrison in so doing. The
next moment he was shaking hands
with the entire party, coming last of all
to Amy Lawrence.
"They told me of your being here"
he said, looking straight into her clear,
beautiful eyes; land 1 thought L might
find you at Mrs. Marsden's. She was
our best friend when we were in Homo
lulu. They told me, too, that you de-
sired to go by the Doric, but feared she
would be crowded." he continued, turn
ing to Mr.. Prime. There is one vacant
stateroom now. It's occupants have de-
cided to stay over and visit the islands.
There will be, think, another" And
drawing a letter from an inner pocket
he calmly turned to Mia, now shrink
ing almost fearfully behind her sister.
The colonel gave this TO me to hand
to you, Mrs. Frost on the chance of
your being here. He will arrive by next
sc
something 1 think you should see at
once, as a change in your plans may be
necessary"
1t was vain for Margaret to interpose.
The letter was safely lodged in her sis
ter's hands, and with so significant a
message that it had to be opened and
read without delay. Gayly eXcusing
| herself, and with low reverence and
comprehensive smile to the assembled
| party, she ushered her sister into the
long parlor, and the curtain fell behind
them. There followed few minutes
of brisk conference upon the lanai, the
Marsdens pleading against, the father
| and daughter for, immediate return to
| the hotel, there to claim the vacated
rooms aboard the steamer. In the eager
| discussion, pro and con, both young
| soldiers joined, both saying go" and
| promising to follow by the Sedgwick.
In. this family council, despite the vivid
interest Armstrong felt in the result,
neither Amy Lawrence nor himself took
| any part. Side by side at the snowy
railing over the breaking sea they stood
almost silent listeners. Suddenly there
came from the front again the sound
of hoofs and wheels, loud and distinct
at the start, then rapidly dying away
with the increasing distance. Miss
Lawrence turned and looked inquiring
~ into the eyes she well knew were
fixed upon her. Mrs. Marsden hesitated
one moment, then stepped across the
lanai, pcered into the parlor and en-
tered. 1t was a minute before she re-
turned, and in that minute the decisive
vote was cast. the carriage ordered.
"Oh, / ought to have known how it
would be if l left you a moment!" she
cried, despairingly, on her reappear-
ance, little folded paper in her hand.
But at least you must stay half an
hour. We can telephone direct to the
dock and secure the staterooms, if you
must go on the Doric. Yes" she con-
tinued, lowering her voice, "they are
not going farther until Col Frost
comes. Mrs. Garrison explains that her
sister was really too i'll and too weak
10 come out here, but she thought the
drive might do her good. She thought
best to slip quietly away with her, and
bids me say good night to you ALL"
So, when next day the Doric sailed,
four new names appeared upon the pas
senger list, and the last men down the
stage, already trembling on the rise"
were two young fellows in white uni
form, who turned as they sprang to the
dock and waved their jaunty caps.
Join you in ten days at 'Frisco!"
shouted the shorter of the two, gazing
upward and backward at the quartette
on the promenade deck. ooh! beg a
thousand pardons," he added, hastily,
L