Rosebud County news. [volume] (Forsyth, Mont.) 1901-1906, 1902-08-21

Lawrence; had hoped his love was re-
turned; had found it was not-that
she had only a frank, frienu4y, kinu.y
interest in him; and that, wounded
and stung, he had fretted himself into
fever at Honolulu, aided by Canker's
aspersions, and then-well-any man
is liable, said Billy to himself, to &c,
smitten with woman who tenderly
and skillfully nurses him day after
day; and that's just what Witchie Gar
rison did. But somehow the opportun-
ity to tell him never seemed to come;
and now, now that Armstrong and him.
self were thus thrown together with
the prospect of being in the same room
day and night for the best OF the month.
third officer, a stranger, lay there, too.
and in his presence or hearing any con-
fdences would be impossible, even it
Armstrong encouraged them, which
he probably would not. In this embar-
rassment Billy's wish was thatthe colo
mel were fifty miles away. 1t was fate
and hard one, thought he, that
brought him there-an ever-present re-
proach. 1t was luck of the worst kind
that they should be confronted under
such circumstances, since neither could
retreat. He submitted in anxious
silence to the keen, quick examination
of the skillful surgeon in charge and
to the redressing of his wound. He
could have been proud and happy but
for that shadow on his life, of which
Armstrong; presence would so con-
stantly remind him. He could not even
think how his dear old Gragoon daddy
would rejoice in the congratulations
that would surely greet him when the
story of the brave dash of the --teenth
Billy among the foremost, should
reach the states. He could not even
Lawrence. He was beginning to be
ashamed now in this presence to think
how that other-how Margaret Gar
rson might be impressed, forgetting
that, to'the army girl who has lived
long years on the frontier, tales of
heroism are the rule, not the exception.
lie wondered how long it could be be-
fore she would come to him to bring
him comfort. Surely by this time she
knew that he had been seriously, pain
fully wounded. He did not know, how
ever, that at the very first sound of
battle Frost had bundled the sisters
aboard his launch and steamed away
to the transports. Yet, what comfort
could her visit bring to him with that
stern censor lying there. seeing and
hearing all? Billy Gray that Monday
night could almost have wished that
Armstrong; slumber might be eternal,
never dreaming that before a second
Monday should come he would thank
heaven with grateful heart for Arm
strong's presence, vigilance and inter
vention.
In three days the colonel was able tic
sit up. Within the week he was per.
mitted to take air and exercise in the
spacious court of the old college, his
sword arm in its sling. But Gray anC
the young officer of volunteers were too
seriously wounded to leave their pill
lows. The tenth had occupied new
line far south Of the old one; but, at ON,
time, several of Billys brother officer:
had dropped in to see him and tell hin
regimental news; and one of them, tn,
young West Pointer who had broker
down at sight of the dying face tha'
stirring Sunday morning, told him o
Latrobe's soldier funeral and of Gen
Drayton's presence and speeches!
grief; and Billy's hand CROPPED benea II
the pillow for that little blood stainet
! packet still undelivered. He hat
| promptly caused the information to b.
conveyed to the veteran commando
that it was his own lost nephew wh'
had died his soldier death in front o
the firing line; but the packet still re
manned in his hands; and even before tn
tiny thermometer confirmed his views
the keen eye of the surgeon saw tina
something had heightened Billy's fe
yer that day; and so, when just at sun
set there came driving into the cour
the most stylish equipage in all Manil;
and Mrs. Garrison tiuttered up tn
broad stairway and confidently aske
to be announced to Mr.. Gray, the stew
ard in charge of the door was very, yer
sorry, but-the doctor had given il
structions that no more visitors shout
see the young gentleman that day
Mrs. Frank smiled indulgently, an
asked for the doctor himself, an
beamed on him with all her witcher
and begged for just a few words; bu
the suave, placid, yet impenetrable doc
tor said he, too, was sorry-sorry tina
! Mr.. Gray was not able to see anyon