The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1901-08-08
1899. by F. Tennyson Neely.l


and all the trouble it cost his friend
and chum. There was a strong bond
between them, he explained; and the
blush of shame that stole up in the face
of the narrator found instant answer
in that of Billy Gray. Determined to
see service at the front and not return
to punishment in his regiment, never
dreaming that, in quitting corps
doomed apparently to inaction at home,
and joining one going straight to the
enemy country, he was committing the
grave crime of desertion, GOV" Prime
had spoken to some men in Stewards
regiment and was hidden to come alcng
and fetch his friend; for they were just
as ignorant as he. Having still consid-
cradle money, "Gov" had bought civil
ian clio ,hes and all the supplies they
needed while about town. and hired
boat that rowed them, with certain
items contraband of war, to the dark
side of the transport as nightfall came;
and they were easily struggled aboard
and into uniform, and then, during the
few days stay at Honolulu, were for
mally enlisted and no embarrassing
questions asked.
And now poor Pat was gone and
Primes father had been cabling for him
to return home; but there was that awk
ward matter about the desertion. Gen
Drayton was trying to have it straight
ened out at Washington, for he had
been kindness itself the day of his visit
to the hospital, where almost his first
act had been to seek out the wounded
young soldier who had been his beloved
nephew's boon companion, and at one
time sole support. The sentry was re-
lieved of his surveillance, and Corp.
Norton transferred to Corregidor to re-
cuperate; and now that both lads were
well on the road to recovery, Drayton
had sent for them. Strictly speaking,
some one should have seen to it that
Corp. Norton, of the volunteers, was
shifted back to Private Morton, of the
-teenth, and the chevrons stripped
from his sleeves; but no one had cared
to interfere where the worsted was con-
cerned, especially as the boy had won
such praise for bravery at Concordia
Bridge. So there the chevrons stood
when the two were ushered into the
presence of the gray-haired chief, and
he arose, and, stepping forward, held
out hand to each.
II want you, boys" said he, 'to be
ready to take the next transport home.
The doctors say you need sea voyage,
Gray; so there is the order. The doc
tors say your father needs you, Prime;
and the record will be duly Strengthened
out in Washington-the charge of de-
sertion, no doubt, will be removed. It's
a matter of influence. Tonight you
dine with me here; and l have asked
your good friend, Col. Armstrong, to
come"
Again the blood rose guilty to Billy's
cheek. Not yet had he made his peace
with his conscience and that valued
counselor and invaluable friend from
whose good graces he seemed to have
fallen entirely. Not once had oppor-
tunjty been afforded in which to speak
and open his heart to him. AS for writ
ing, that seemed impossible. Billy could
haidle almost any implement better
than pen. But even in the few min
that now at least he must face the mu-
Sic" like the man his father would
have him be, even though it took more
nerve than did that perilous dash on the
TaPal works that Sunday morning
Billy would rather do that twice over
than have to face Armstrong; stern
searching eyes, and hear again the cold
almost contemptuous tone in which the
colonel said to him the day the doctor
led his vanquiahed and hysterical
charmer from the room: Don't try to
thank, man; try to think what you risk
what you deserve to lose-for putting
yourself in the power of such wo nan
From that day until this, here on the
banks of the swlft-running Pasig, they
had not met at all; and it seemed to
Gray as though Armstrong had aged u
year. There was lump in his throat
as he went straight up to the colonel,
his blue eyes never hinching, though
they seemed to fill, and bravely spoke
Col. Armstrong, have an explanation
that | owe to you. viii you give me a
few minutes on the gallery?"
Certainly, Gray" was the calm re-
ply; and the youngster led the way.
1t was broken story. 1t told of his
desperation and misery through Can
ker persecution, of his severe illness,
then of the utter weakness and prostra-
ton; then her coming, and with her
comfort, peace, reinsurance, gradual
return to health, and with that, gradual
surrender to his nurses associations.
Then her demand upon him, her plea,
her final insistence that he should prove
his gratitude and devotion by getting
fol- her those dangerous letters, and his
WEAKNESS in letting her believe he could
and would do so. That was the situa-
ton when they went on to Manila; and
Armstrong knew the rest--knew that
but for his timely aid she might have
triumphed over his repentance; but
Armstrong had come, had vanqnished
her and poor Latrobe's last wishes were
observed The fateful packet con ,ain-
ing the three letters that were most i'm
poriant was placed in his uncle's trem-
bling hand.
but how was it--what was it that so