Evening star., 1903-08-01
CHAPTER IX-Continued.

But Graham went straightway to the
quarters of Captain Wren. a rough pencil
copy of that most unusual paper In his
hand "R-robert Wren" said he. as he
entered unknocl1ing and unannounced.
will We listen to this? Nay, Angela. lass.
don't GO" When strongly moved as we
have seen our doctor dropped to the bor-
derland of dialect.
In the dim light from the shaded windows
he had not at first seen the girl. She was
seated on a footstool her hands on her
fathers knee. her fond face gazing up into
lis, and that strong. bony hand of his rest
ing on her head and toying with the rib
bon. the ''snood" as he loved to call it,
with which she bound her abundant tresses
At sound of the doctors voice. Janet, ever
apprehensive of ill., had come forth from
the dining room, silver brush and towel in
hand and stood at the doorway, gazing
austerely. She could not yet forgive her
brothers friend his condemnation of her
methods as concerned her brothers child
Angela, rising to her full height, stood
with one hand on the back of her father :
chair. the other began softly stroking the
grizzled crop from his furrowed forehead
No one spoke word Ora ham began
and slowly to the uttermost line read his
draft Of Blakely's mssive. No one spoke
for moment after he had finished An
Eela. with parted lips and dilated eyes had
stood at first drinking in each syllable
then with heaving bosom, she slowly turn
ed, her left hand falling by her side Wren
sat in silence, his deep-set eyes glowering
ON the grim reader. a daZed look on his
rugged face. Then he reached up and drew
The slim. tremulous hand from his fore
head and snugSled II against his stuibly
check. and still he could not speak. Janet
slowly backed away into the darkness OF
the dining room. The situa tion had soft
ening tendencies and Janets nature re
VOTED At sentiment. 1t was Graham's
voice that again broke the silence.
For u vain carpet knight whose best
boast was to wear braid of his fair lady =
iEilr. strikes me our butterfly chaser
ms some points or gentleman said he,
slowly folding mis- paper Il might say
more, he continued presently retiring to
ward the hall Then. pausing at the door
way. but won't he concluded. and alb
ruutly vanished
An hour later. when Janet in person went
TO answer knock at the door she glanced
In at the parlor as she passed and that
peep revealed Angela again seated on her
fcotstool, with her bonny head pillowed
on her fathers knee. his hand again toying
with thr glossy treSSes, and both fl ther
and child looked up, expectant Yes. there
stood the young adjutant, officially equip
ped with belt and sword and spotless
gloves. Can see the captain?" he asked
lifting his natty kept and the captain arose
and StrOdc to the door
Major Plume presents his compliments
and tins letter, sir, stammered the youth
hluShinE. too, at sight of Angela beaming
on him from the parlor door. "And-you're
in command, sir. The major has gone on
sick report."
That evening 2 solemn cortege filed away
down the winding road to the northward
Hats aud took the route to the little ceme
terry. almost all the garrison following to
the grave all that was mortal of the hap
BNrne returned
agency, was there to represent the general
commanding the department. Wren stalked
sclemnly beside him commander of the
post. Even the women followed, tripping
daintily through the sand Graham watch
ed them from the porch of the post hos
pitaL He could not long leave Mullins
tossing In fever and delirium. He had but
recently left Lieutenant Blakely. sitting
up and placidly busytng himself in patch
ing butterfly wings. and Biakeiy had even
come TO the front door to look at the dis
tant gathering Of decorous mourners But
the bandaged head was withdrawn as two