OUNDINTHE
HILIPPINES.
BY Gen. Chas.King.
,
COPVUIOHT ttti tff rTWHY < tt
_ Sjiiouxln of I'riMMMllim Chapters.
The story opens with n scene In the regi
mental ramp on I'n-sl.llo . IMsM * , over
looking San Frond * hnrbor. Uumorn of
movltiK orders to Manila ami tlio nrrl\nl
from New York or lady victors , at hcnO-
QUftrters vnry the monotony of cnmp
routine. The vU'tors ' are In s-arc h ot a
runaway lioy who N bollov. . ! to hiue
entered the urmy , nnd Meulomint Gray , the.
most popular yonnit olllct-r In his r-'Slmpnt - ,
through a supposed nrciunintaiiee with one
cf the visitingparty. . Miss ' "V > 'aw "c -
Is envied by his fellows. The pnrlj ,
escorted by Colonel Armstrong attends a
review on tlio drill grounds and Is disturbed
1 > y the sight of a youiiK Prlsoncr' .
m .
them.
HircakH n\vny from his guards nenr
collision among the carriages
ind
by n
Garrison old acmm ntanco ° r
Mrs. ( , an
Colonel Armstrong. Is hurt. ! rljnt ° M.r' .
ion Is nrrestcd on a charge of stealing
Gray , ot
to Lieutenant
money. He appeals
Ms fraternity 'for h.-lp and CJruy wurcs
< lie dotnll of Kutird ovt-r him. 'J " tro''l'3
Drctmre to sail for Manila. Mrs. Oarrlson
Joins the lied Cro s society and assists nt
the cmharklnB. Young Morton and three
tunnel.
through a
other prisoners escape
Gray la arrested , charged vvlUi hnvlnR
aided the prisoners. At West Point , the
summer before , Mrs. Garrison and her
younger sister. Xlta Terrlss , had caused
much talk Nlta fell In love with a prom
inent cade-t Tat Latrobe , but Mrs. Garri
son took her away In time to Prevent an
nnd marrlnRC. Patrol o deserts
elopement
nnd his friend , Gouvorneur Prime , who
had been infatuated with M - awrUw" '
at San * ran-
runs away to join the army
clsco.
niAi'THii x.
' ambitious
Ono of Colonel Croat's consuming
tious was to be the head of his department ,
with the rank ot brigadier general , but he
had strong rivaln , and knew It. Wealth ho
had In abundance. It was rank and power
that ho craved. Tour men all with hotter
war records nnd inoro experience stood be
tween him and that coveted star , and tweet
- popular and beloved men.
ot the four -were
Frost was cold , sclllsh , intensely self-willed ,
indomitably persevering , nnd though "close-
fisted , " to the scale ot a Scotch landlord as a
rule , he would loose hla purse strings and
pay well for porvlcta he considered essen
tial. When Frost had a consuming desire
stand in the
consideration
ho let no money
way. and for Nlta Terrisa ho stood ready to
upend a small fortune. Everybody knew
Mrs. I'rank Garrison could never dress and
adorn herself as she did on poor Frank
Garrison's pay , nnd when eho appeared wltn
a dazzling uccklaco and a superb new gown
at the garrison hall not long after Frost
and his shrinking brldo left for their
honeymoon , people looked at her and then
nt each other. Nlta Terrisa was sold to
"Jack" Frost was the verdict , nnd her
fihrewd elder sister was the dealer , lire.
Frank know \\hat people were thinking and
saying Just as well as though they had said
it to her , yet smiled sweetness and bliss on
every side. Frankly she looked up into
the faces of her sisters In arms : "I know
you llko my necklace'Isn't It lovely ?
Colonel Frost's wedding present , you know.
Ho eaid I shouldn't give Nlta away with
out some recompense and this is it. "
But that could have been only a part of
It , said the garrison. An honorarium In
solid cash , It was believed , was far the
Kreater portion of the consideration which
the elder sister accepted for having1 suc
cessfully berne Nlta away from the dan
gers and fascinations of the Point bavins
guarded her , drooping and languid , against
the advances ot good looking soldier lads
nt headquarters , nnd finally having , by
dint of hours of argument , persuasion and
cklll , delivered her into the arms of the
elderly hut well-preserved groom. All ho
demanded to know was that she was fancy
free that there was no previous attach
ment , and on this nolnt Mrs. Frank had
solemnly averred there was none. The child
had had a foolish fancy for a cadet beau ,
but It amounted to absolutely nothing.
There had been , no vows , no pledge , no
promise of any kind , and she was actually
free as air. So Frost was satisfied.
They made an odd-looking pair. Frost
wns "pony built" but sturdy , and Nlta
Boomed lika a fairy Indeed as unsubstan
tial as a wisp of vapor , as she came down
the aisle on his arm , They were so far to
the south on this honeymoon trip aa almost
to feel tlio shock nnd concussion when the
Malno was blown to a mass of wreckage.
They were In Washington when the congress
determined on full satisfaction from Spain ,
nnd Colonel Front was told his leave was
cut short that ho must return to his sta
tion at once. Going first to the Arlington
nnd hurriedly entering the room , ho almost
Htumhled ever the body of his wife , lying
close to the door In a swoon from which it
took some tlmu and the efforts of the hoitso
physician nnd the maids to rcstoro her.
Questioned later ns to the cause , she wept
hysterically nnd wrung her hands. She
didn't know. She had gone to the door to
answer a knock and got dizzy and remem
bered nothing more. What became of thu
knocker ? She didn't know. Frost Inqulrea
lit the ofllco. A 'bellboy ' was found who sala
ho had taken up n card In an envelope
given him by a young feller who "secmea
Und o' sick. Mrs. Front took It and
Hopped , " nnd n chambermaid ran in to her ,
and then hurried for the doctor. "What
ITS
BLATZ
THE STAR
MILWAUKEE
f U
' '
Srs'BLATZ'Fo *
, % ,0/QUALIIYEVERniHr
iN YOUR HOUSE WILLBE SURE
TOPROYEAHAPpmtPDSmON
ON MANY OCCASIONS.
SfNDYOUACASL ?
Omaha Branch ,
1412 Douyuis St. , I el. 1081.
VAI. HUT/ mii\vi.\j ; co. ,
Ullvtuukvv , "VV1 ,
bcfnmo of tlio letter or uoto or card-
skcd Frc t , nlth suspicion anil jealousy lit
ils hoart. Two women , mistress and maid ,
nd the bell boy swore they didn't know , tmi
ho mnld did know. With the quick Intu-
Llon of her BOX nnd class she had seen that
hero was or hud hccn a young lover , and
ympathy for Nlta and a dislike for Kroat ,
vho gave no tips , prompted her to hldo It
until lie could slip It safely Into N'lt.Vs
hnnd ; Nlta , who read , shuddered , toro It Into
nilniitu scrape , nnd wept more , face down
ward on the bed. They had reached their
winter ( station licforo the cable flashed the
ttrrlng tidings of Dowcy's great victory In
lanlla bay , anil within half n week came
elographlc orders for Colonel Krost to pro-
ccd at once to San franclsco , there to await
nstrtictlona. The first expedition waa or
ganizing when ho arrived , his pallid little
wlfo by his side , nnd there were his In-
trucllons to proceed to Manila as chief of
ils department nn Independent position , yet
L was a horrid blow , llut there was no re-
curse. Nlta begged that she might stay
vlth her sister. Shu could not bear the
dca of going. Frost know that no women
ould accompany the expedition , and , ship-
ilng his chest and desks by the transport , he
ind eccurcd passage for himself and wlfo
o Hong King on ono of the splendid stcara-
rs of the English line from Vancouver , nnd
o Informed her. It dashed Nlta's last hope ,
'hey were occupying flno rooms at the Pal-
nco hotel. The city was thronged with
omcors and rapidly arriving troops. Other
rmy women , eager to accompany tliolr hu -
> ands , \vcro railing at the fate that sepa-
ated them , nnd Nlta had boon forced to
onceal the Joy with -which she heard their
nmentntlons. But she had yet to learn how
xactlng Frost could be. It hnd never oc-
urred to her that he could obtain permls-
lon to go except by transport. It had not
corned possible that ho would take her with
ilm. "You should have known , " said he ,
'that even If I had had to go by transport
you would have gone by the Empress of
ndla. It Is only elxty hours from Manila to
long Kong , and I could have Joined you
eon after your arrival. As It lo , I shall see
ou Bnfely established there I have letters
o certain prominent Kngllsh people then
shall go over to Join the fleet when It ar-
rirts In Manila bay. "
That night she wrote long and desperately
o Margaret. "Ho swore he would follow
mo wherever wo went until I granted him
ho Interview. You know how ho dogged me
n Washington , followed me to Denver , and
any moment he may address mo here. F.
vlll not let mo return to you. Ho Insists on
ny going to Hong Kong , where ho can occa
sionally Join mo. Hut Rollln holds those
ettora over mo llko a whip , and declares
hat ho will glvo them Into Frost's hands
inless I see him whenever ho presents him
self. You made me swear to Frost I never
ared n straw for my darling that wns. O
God , how I loved him ! and If these letters
ever reach the man to whom you. have sold
me , ho would treat me a.s ho would a dog ,
oven it ho doesn't kill me. Meg Meg you
must help me , for I live In terror. "
And that she lived In terror was true ,
tome women were quick to see. Never
vould aho go anywhere , even along the
corridor , alone. If the colonel could not
como to luncheon she waa served In ( heir
ooms. If she had to go calling or shopping
t wns In a carriage , and always with some
army woman whom she could persuade to
; o with her.
Ono day. Just before their Intended de
parture , she drove out paying calls. It
was quito llto when the carrlago drew
ip at the Market street entrance ,
ho nearest to their elevator. The
door boy sprang acroes tha slde-
valk to open the carriage , and as she
stepped wearily out a tall young man , erect
nnd Blender , dressed In a dark traveling
ult , 'fairly ' confronted her , raised' ' his derby
ind said : "You can give me ton minutes
now , Mrs. Frost. Be good enough to take
my arm. "
Bowing her head , she strove to dodge by ,
> ut It wns useless. Again ho confronted her
WeouBly she looked up Into his pale , stsrn
nco nnd clasped her hands. "Oh , Rollln , "
aho cried , "give mo my letters. I dare not
gee you. Have mercy " nnd down again
she wont In n senseless heap upon the stone.
Colonel and Mrs. Frost did not sail with the
ilmprcM of India. Brain fever set In and
'or three weeks the patient never left the
lotol. Frost mndo his wife's dangerous Ill
ness the bnsla of nn application to bo re-
levod from the Manila detail , but , knowing
well It would bo Into summer before the
troops could bo assembled there In sufficient
'orce ' to occupy the city , nnd knowing thnt
ils clerks nnd books had gone by transport
with the second expedition In June , the Wir
lepartment compromised on a permission to
delay. By the time the fourth expedition
was ready to start there was no further
QXCUBO ; moreover , the doctors declared Iho
sea. voyngo was Just what Mrs. Froat needed ,
and ngnln their stateroom wae engaged by
the Rmprpss line , nnd , though weak and
angnld. Mrs. Frost was able to nppenr In
: ho dining room. Meanwhile a vast amount
of work wns saddled on the department to
which Frost was attached , nnd dnlly ho wns
called upon "to " nld the local officers or bo In
consultation with the commnndlng general.
This would hnvo left Mrs. Frost to the min
istrations of her nurse nlono , 'but ' for the
nvlng kindness of army women In the hotel.
They hovered about her room , taking turns
In spending the afternoon with her , or the
evening , for It wns speedily npparent that
she hnci a nervous dread of being loft by
herself , "or even with her husband , " eald
the most observing. Already It had been
whlsporcd that despite his assiduous cnro
nnd devotion during her Illness , something
serious was amiss Everybody had heard of
.ho ndventuro which had preceded her alarm
ing lllncfifl. Everybody knew thnt she had
> i < inn nncnstca nnd confronted by a strange
young man , nt Igit | of whom she hnd
pleaded pltoously a mlnuto and then
fnlnted dead away. By this time , too ,
there were or hnd been nearly a dozen of the
grnduntlng class In town clnsaraates ol
nollln I atrobo their much-loved "Pat , "
and speedily the story was told of his devo
tion to her when she waa Nlta Terrlss of
their correspondence , of their engagement to
bo married on his graduation , which In strict
confidence ho had Imparted to his room
mate , who kept It Inviolate until after her
audden union with Colonel Frcat and poor
"Pat's" equally sudden dlnappcarnnco
Everybody , Frost Included , knew that tha
young man who had accosted her must be
Latrobe , and Froat by this time- knew that
It must have been ho who caused her shock
nt the Arlington. Ho ragpd In his Jealous
heart. Ho employed detectives to find the
fellow , swearing he would have him arrested
Ho became morose nnd cloomy , for nil the
arts by which Mrs. Garrison persuaded him
that Nlta looked up to him
Vilth admiration and reverence that would
speodlly develop Into wifely love were now
proved to bo machinations. Ho know tha
Nltft feared him , shrank from him nnd was
very fur from loving him and ho bellevei
thai desplto her denials and fears am
protestations eho loved young Latrolio. He
wrote angrily , reproachfully to Margaret
Who , : uw ihat her flah was hooked , did no
greatly exert hereolf to soothe or reassure
him. That ho could uver use violence to one
so weak and fragile ns Nlta she would no
believe for an Instant. Then the nurse , etil
ctalncd , heard bitter words from the
olonel oa one morning she came to the door
with Mrs. Frost's breakfast , and whllo she
paused , uncertain about entering at such a
line , ho rushed angrily forth and nearly col-
Ided with her. Mrs. Frost wna Jn tears
when the nurse finally entered and the
ireakfnst was left untouchca.
Ixito that afternoon , Just after the various
runks and boxes of the Frosts thnt were to
go by the transport wcro packed and ready
ind Mrs. Frost , looking stronger at last ,
hough still fragile , nlmcet ethcrcnl , was ro-
.urnlng from a drlvo vlth ono of her
friends , the attention of the two women
wns drawn to n crowd gathering rapidly ou
ho sidewalk not far from the Baldwin hotel.
L'hero was no shouting , no commotion , noth-
ng hut the Idle curiosity of men and boys ,
'or ' n young soldier , a handsome , slender ,
dark-complexioned fellow ot 21 or 22 , had
been arrtste < l by a pntrol nnd there they
stood , the sergennt and hla two soldiers
'ully ' armeil nud equipped , the
hapleso cnptlvu with his nrms half filled
with bundles , nnd over the heads ot the
Ittlo throng the ladles could sco that ho
wns pleading earnestly with his captors
and that the sergeant , though looking sym-
mthctlc and far from unkind , was shaking
his head. Mrs. Frost , listless nnd a llttlo
fatigued , hnd witnessed too ninny such
scenes In former days of garrison llfo to
take any Interest In the proceeding. "How
stupid these people arc ! " she Irritably ex
claimed. "Running like mad and blocking
the streets to eco a soldier arrested for ab
sence from camp without a pass. Shan't
wo drive on ? "
"Oh Just ono moment , please , Mrs. Frost.
Ho has such a nlco face a gentleman's face ,
and he seems so troubled. Do look at it ! "
Languidly and with something very llko n
pout Mrs. Frost turned her face again
toward the sidewalk , but by this 'time tha
sergeant had linked an arm In that of the
young soldier and had led htm a pnco or two
away , ao that hla back was now toward the
carriage. Ho was still pleading and the
crowd had begun to back him up , and was
expostulating , too.
"Awe , take him where ho says , sergeant ,
nnd let him prove it. "
"Don't bo hard on him , man. If he's tak
ing care of a sick friend glvo 'm a chanco. "
Then the sergeant tried to explain mat-
tors. "I can't help myself , gentlemen , " said
he ; "orders are orders , and mlno are to
find this recruit and fetch him back to
camp. He's two days over time now. "
"Oh , I wish I know what it meant ! " anx
iously exclaimed Mrs * . Frost's companion.
"I'm sure ho needs help. " Then with sudden
Joy in her eyes "Oh , good ! There goes
Colonel Crosby. Ho'll see what's amiss , "
nnd ae she spoke a tall man in the fatigue
uniform of an officer of infantry shouldered
his way through the crowd and reached the
blue-coated quartet In the center. Up went
the hands to the shouldered rlOes in salute
and the young soldier , the cause of all the
gathering which the police wore now trying
to disperse , whirled quickly , nnd with
something suspiciously like tenrs in his 11 no
dark eyes wne seen to bo eagerly speaking
to the voternn officer. There was a brlof
colloquy , nnd then the colonel said some
thing to the sergeant , nt which the crowd
set up a cheer. The sergeant looked pleased ,
the young soldier most grateful , nnd away
the throng following.
went the four along the sldowalk , ninny of
And then the colonel caught sight of the
women In the carriage , saw that ono was
signaling eagerly , nnd heard his natno
called. Hastening to their side , ho raised
his cap and smiled cordial greeting.
"Oh , I'm so glad you came , colonel , wo
are so Interested In that young soldier. Do
tell us what it nil means. Oh ! I beg your
pardon , Mrs. Frost , I surely thought you
had met Colonel Crosby let mo pro Why ,
Nlta ! What's Are you ill ? Hero , take
my salts , quick ! "
"No no go on I I want to henr !
Where arc they taking him ? " faintly
murmured Mrs. Frost. "
"Try to control yourself , " said her com
panion. "I'll tell you in ono moment , "
Meantime from without the carriage the
colonel continued , addressing Nlta's com
panion :
"He tells a perfectly straight story. He
saya ho has an old friend who Is here so
desperately 111 and out of money that ho
got a doctor for bUn and had been nursing
him himself. Those- things he carried are
medicines and wlno that the doctor bade him
buy. All ho asks 1 to take them to his
friend's room and get a nurse , th i ho is
ready to go to camp and stand his trial , so
I told the sergeant I'd be responsible. "
"Oh , thank you so much ! Do see that
tbo poor follow isn't punished. We'll drive
right round. Perhaps wo can do something.
It Is Red Cross business , you know. Hood
afternoon , colonel , Please tell our driver
to follow t'ucin. "
But , to her consternation , no sooner had
they started than she felt Nita'a trembling
hand grasping her wrist , and turning
quickly saw that sbo was In almost hys
terical condition.
"My poor child , I had forgotten you were
so worn out. I'll take you home at once
but then we'll miss them entirely. Oh ,
could you bear "
"Oh ! No ! No ! " moaned Nlta , wringing
her littiu bauds , "Tako me anywhere.
No ! Take 1110 homr take mo homo ! nnd
promise mo not to tell my husband \\hftt
we saw. "
CllAl'TUll A.I.
For n man ordinarily absorbed In his own
command Colonel Stanley Armstrong had
become , nil on a sudJen , deeply engrossed
In that ol Colonel Cnnkcr. The Frosts had
been gene a week , via Vancouver the expe
dition only nbout sixteen hours when he
appeared at Gordon's tent and frankly
asked to bo told nil thnt tall southerner
know of the young soldier Morton , now
gene from camp for the third , and , as Arm
strong 'believed ' , the last time.
"Why , that young fella's n bawn gentlo-
mnn , " drawled Cordon , ns ho offered the
colonel a chair nnd cigar. "Ho wns belmvln *
tip top , steady as you please until about
a month ngo. He's only been with us sluco
the first ot May came \\lth n big batch of
recruits a rrgular athlete , you know.
Then ntter he'd drilled awhile 1 nailed him
for headquarters clerk. I never know him
to bo off an hour until nbout four \\ceks
ngo. The men say another young felln
cnmo cut here ono ulght , had a talk vltn
Merion , nnd they went out together. Ho
got regular permission. Nobody has sot
eyes on his friend out hero since thnt time ,
but Morton got thrco passes to town In ten
days , nnd Squeera hnppcned to want him
t nnd gave orders ho should have to bc > con-
\ sulte < l hereafter , 'Bout n fortnight since ,
| by Jove , Vorton lit out suddenly and wna
gene forty-eight hours , nnd wns brought
bnck by a patrol , perfectly straight , ana
ho said ho had to go on account of n friend
who had been taken very 111 and \\as a
stranger here. Squeers lot him off with n
warning , nnd Inaldo of thrco days ho begged
for a twenty-four hour pass , nnd Squocro
wouldn't glvo It. Ho went without It , by
Ooorgo ! It was Juat about the time the
Prime family arrived , looking up the boy
they heard wns In your regiment. This
tlmo there wns big trouble. The patrol
scut for him went directly to the lodgings
of his sick friend , and there they found him
nnd ho laid out two of our beat men foi-
forclng n wny Into the room. They tola
"THERE WERE BITTER WORDS FROM THE COLONEL TO MRS. FROST. '
mo your carriage nearly ran over him the
day of the review. Then came that dam
fool charge nbout his being mixed up In
this robbery. Then his escape from under
Billy dray's nose , by George , nnd that's
the last of him. Canker sent n party in to
look him up at the usual place , and both
birds hnd flown , both , by George ! The sick
man \vns well enough to bo driven off In n
carriage , and there's nothing further to tell
as yet. "
"I wish I had known about him earlier
before the Primes came , " said Armstrong ,
thoughtfully , knocking the ashes off his
olgnr. "Of course you divine my theory ? "
"Thnt Morton's the mleslng son nnd heir ?
Of courso. Now that I've seen Miss Prime
the family resemblance Is strong. But if ho
wanted to soldier , what's to prevent. Taoso
tents yawndub. are full of youngsters better
educated than I am , " nnd Gordon arose ,
tangling a long , lenn leg In the nearest
campstool , which ho promptly kicked
through the doorway Into the sailing fog
outeldo. It was barely 11 o'clock , but al
ready the raw , wet wind was whistling In
over the barren , sandy slopes nnd dunes
nnd the molsturo dripped In big drops from
the sloped rifles of the men marching
sturdily in from drill.
"Yawnduh comes the Prlmo carriego now ,
by George , " continued the adjutant , as he
limped to the entrance. "OIo man seems all
broke up , don't ho ? " Armstrong had
promptly risen and came striding to his
comrade's Bide.
" " . "Ho hnd
"Naturally , was the answer.
hoped much from this visit. The boy was
Just under 21 when ho rnllsted , and , aa his
fnther's consent was lacking , a discharge
could have been ordered. It may have beeif
fear ot that that drove the youngster off.
Where Is the carriage and your glass ? "
continued the colonel , looking about until
ho found a binocular.
"Comln1 right down the road back of the
officers' tonts. Reckon it's another visit of
condolence to Gray , You know I shouldn't
wondub if this arrest of his proved n
blessln' In dlsgulso for that lucky boy. "
No reply coming to this observation , Gor
don glanced over bis shoulder. Armstrong
was replacing the glasses. Again the ad
jutant hazarded.
"I I was sayln" this nrrest mny be , after
nil , the biggest kind of blessing In dlogulso
for that lucky Billy. Yes , by Jove ! They're
comln' to hs ! tent Thni'a n splendid girl , |
ole man ! "
"Miss Prime , you mean ? ' calmly queried I
Armstrong , utrlklng match after watch in
the effort to light n , frtsh cigar , his fnco I
averted.
"Miss Prlmo 1 don't racnn , " nnswcrcd
Gordon , glancing curiously t the senior oOl-
cor. "Not but that she's n most charming '
young woman and all that , " he hurriedly Interpolated - ,
torpolated , southern chivalry asserting It- |
self. Then , with a twitch n.bout the lip : |
"By the way , old man , those cigars light
better from the other cud. Takea fresli
one. "
Armstrong quickly withdrew the Ill-used
wood from between his strong , \\hlto teeth ,
Bnvo It ono glance nnd a tosa Into the waste-
basket.
"No , 1'vo smoked enough. But how can
they see him ? How about thnt sentry over
Gray's tent ? "
"Huh ! Chief mndo him tnko it off di
rectly ho hoard of it , " grlnnod Gordon ,
"Moses ! But didn't Squeers iblnsphcmc ! "
And the adjutant threw his head back nnd
laughed Joyously over the retrospect. "Yes ,
there's that curly pate of Billy's at the tent
tloor now. RoSkon ho was oxpectln' 'cm.
There they arc , ole Prim , too. Don't bo In
a hurry , colonel. "
They had known each other years , tlicso
two , and it had 'been ' "Armstrong" nnd "Gor
don" when they addressed each other , or
"olp man" when Gordon lapsed Into tlio
Boml-affectlotiatu. To the adjutant's southern -
orn ECIISO of military propriety "olo mnn"
wns still possible. "Armstrong" would bo
a soldierly solecism.
"I am to sea the general before noon , "
said Armstrong , gravely , "nnd It's tlmo 1
started. If you should hear of your run
away let mo kuow. If you shouldn't , kcop
our views to yourself. There's no use lu
| rousing false hopes. " With that Armstrong
turned up the collar of his overcoat and
lunged out Into the mist.
Gordon watched him as ho strode away ,
the orderly following at the conventional
distance. The shortest way to general
headquarters was up the row of company
officers' tonta in 'front of the still Incar
cerated Billy ; the longest was around bnck
ot the mess tent and kitchen. Armstrong
took the latter.
That escape of prisoners was still the talk
of camp. Men had como by battalions to see
the tunnel , observing which Canker promptly
ordered It closed up. Opinion was universal
that Canker should have released the officers
and men ho had placed under arrest nt once ,
but ho didn't. In his bottled wrath he hung
on to them until the brigade commander took
a hand and ordered it. Canker grumblingly
obeyed so far as the sergeant nnd sentries
were concerned , but entered stout protest as
to Gray.
"I still hold that officer as having
knowledge of the scheme and aiding and
abetting. I can prove that ho telephoned
for that carrlago , " ho said.
"At least there's nothing to warrant the
posting of that sentry at Mr. Gray's tent ,
Colonel Canker , " said the brigadier , with
some asperity. "Order him off nt once.
That's nil for today , sir , " nnd the man with
the stnrced shoulders "held over" him with
the silver leaves. The latter eould only
obey nnd objurgate.
But Cnnkor's knuckles came in for an
other rasping within the hour. The brigadier
being done with him , the division command
er's compliments came over per orderly , and
would the colonel please step to the gen-
oral's tent. Canker wna fuming to get to
town. Ho was possessed with Insane doslro
to follow up that boarding house clue. Ho
believed the landlady could bo bullied into
telling where her boarder was taken , und
what manner of man ( or woman ) ho was.
But down ho had to go , thrco blocks of
camp , to where the tents of division head
quarters were pitched , nnd there sat the
veteran commander , suave and placid as
cvor.
"Ah , colonel , touching that matter of the
robbery of your commissary stores. Sus
picion points very strongly to your Sergeant
Foloy. Do you think It wise to have no
sentry over him ? "
"Why general , " said CanTtor , "I'vo known
that man fifteen years in fact , I got him
ordered to duty hero , " nnd the colonel
bristled.
"Well pardon wie , colonel , but you heard
the evidence against him last night , or at
least heard of it. Don't you consider that
conclusive ? "
Canker cleared hla throat and considered
as suggested ,
"I hoard the allegation , sir , buU-ho made
so clear n.n explanation to me , nt
and , besides , general , " n. bright ide.x oc
curring to him "you know that M com
missary sergoaut ho Is not tinder ay com-
mnml "
"Tut , tut , colonel , " Interrupted the Ren-
( > rnl , nosing impatient. "Tho storehouse
adjoins your camp. Your sentries guard It.
Captain Hanfcaxl , the commissary , says ho
called on you last night to notify you thnt
ho had places ! the f rgcnnt under nrrest ,
but considered the cnso so grave that ho
Mkctl that n sentry "bo " placed over him , and
It wasn't done. "
"I tllsllko very much to Inflict such In
dignity on deserving soldiers , general , " said
Cnnkcr , stumbling Into a , BOlf-mnde trnp.
"Until their Guilt Is established they niv
Innocent under the law. "
"Apparently you apply a different rule In
caao of officers , " calmly responded the gen
eral , "vide Mr. Gray. No further words are
nc-ccesnry. Oblige mo 'by ' having that sea-
try posted nt onco. Good morning , sir. "
But to Cntikor's tllsmny tht ofllcer of the
guard made prompt report. The sentry
wns sent , font the sorgeant's tent was empty.
The colonel's pet hnd flown. This meant
inoro trouble for the colonel.
MMtmhllo Stanley Armstrong had hied
him to General Urnyton's headqunrtcrs
The olllco tents wore well niled with clerks ,
orderlies , a Idea and other officers , \\lio had
como In on buslnws , 'but ' this meeting was
by appointment nnd after brlof delay the
camp commander excused himself to those
present and ushered Armstrong Into hla
own private tent , the SCWIP of the merry
festivities the evening of Mm Garrison's
unexpected arrival. There the geiu-ral
turned quickly on his \ lsltorlth \ the low-
toned question :
"Well what have you found ? "
"Enough to glvo mo strong rcnson for be-
Moving thnt Morton , so-cnllcd , Is young
Prime , nnd thnt your nephew Is with hlcn ,
sir. "
The old soldier's F.id eyps lighted with
sudden hope. Yet ns ho passed his hnnd
wearily over his forchoad the look of doubt
and uncertainty slowly returned. "It ac
counts for the letters reaching mo hero , "
ho said , "but I've known thnt boy from
babyhood , Armstrong , nnd a moro Intense
nature I have never henrd of. What ho
starts In to do ho will cnrry out it It kills
him. " ' And Drayton looked drearily aboui
the tent as though In search of something , ho
didn't quito kuow what. Then ho settled
back slowly Into his fnvorlto old chair. "Do
sit down , Armstrong , I want to speak with
you n moment. " Yet It was the colonel who
vas the first to break the silence.
"Mny I nsk If you have had time to look
at any of the letters , sir ? "
"Do I look ns though I had tlmo to do any
thing ? " said the chief , dropping his hands
and uplifting a lined and haggard face , yet
so refined. "Anything but work , morn , n oii
and night. The mnss of detail ono has to
meet hero la something nppalllng. It weighs
on tne llko a nightmare. Armstrong. No , I
was worn out the night after the pnckago
reached mo. When next I sought It the
Jetlers were gone. "
"How long was that , general ? "
Again the weary hnnds , with their long ,
tnporlng lingers , came up to the old soldier's
brow. Ho pondered a moment. "It must
have been the next afternoon , I think , but
I can't bo suro.
"And you had left them ? "
"In the inside pocket of that old overcoat
of mine , hanging there on the rear tent
pole , " was the nnswer , as the general turned
half round In his chair nnd glanced wist
fully , self-roproachfully thither.
Armstrong arose , and going to the back
ot the tent , made close examination. The
canvas homo of the chief was what is known
as the hospital tent , but instead of being
pitched with the ordinary rldgo pole and
uprights , a substantial wooden frame and
floor had first been built and over this the
stout canvas wns stretched , staunch and
taut ns the head of a drum. It was all In
tact and sound. Whoever filched that packet
made way with it through the front , < md
thnt , as Armstrong well knew , was kept
tightly laced , as a rule , from the tlmo the
general left It in the morning until his
return. It wns never unlaced except In his
presence or by his order. Then the deft
bnnds of the orderlies on duty would do the
trick In a twinkling. Knowing nil this , the
colonel queried further :
"You went In town , as I remember , Into
that evening and icalled on the Primes and
ether people nt the Palace. I think I saw
you In the supper room. There was much
merrlmomt at your table. Mrs. Garrison
seemed to bo the llfo of the party. Now ,
you left your overcoat with the boy at the
clonk stand ? "
"No , Armstrong , that's the odd part of it. '
1 only used ( ho capo that ovcnlng. The coil
w a hanging nt Its usual place when I r -
turned Into , with n innM of now orders nnd
papers. No ! no ! But here , 1 must got b ck
to the office , nnd what I wished you to se
was thnt poor boy's letter. What can you
hope with a nature llko that to deal with7"
Armstrong took the missive held out t
him nnd slowly read it , the _ general studyIng -
Ing hln face the while. Tho' letter bore no
duo ns to tlio whereabouts of the writer ,
It read :
"March 1 , 'OS. It Is olx weeks stnco 1
repaid nil your loving1 kindness , brought
shnmo ami sorrow to you and ruin to my
self , by deserting from West Point when my
commission M.IS but n few short inontht
nway. In nn hour of Intense misery , caused
by n girl who hnd won my very soul , and
vhoso words ami letters mnde me bellovo
she would become my wlfo the month ot
ray graduation , nndhc , na I now bellovo ,
was then cBgnRcd to the mnu eho married In
January , I throw myself awny. My on *
thnught ns to find her , nnd God known
what beyond ,
"It can never bo undone. My cnrecr Is
ended , nml I can never look you In the face
nguln. At flrat t thought I should show the
letters , one by one , to the man she married ,
nnd nsk him what he thought of his wlf ,
but th.it is ton low. I hold them because I
hnvo n miul longing to see her ngnlri nnd
heap reproaches upon her , but , If 1 fall , and
should 1 feel nt any time thnt my end la
nenr , I'm going to send them to you to read
to BOO how I wna lured , and then , If you
cnn , to pity nnd forgive. ROLLIN. "
Armstrong's firm lips twitched under his
mustache. The sencrnl , with moist eyes , hail
risen from his chnlr nnd mechanically held
forth his hnnd. "Poor Ind ! " sighed Arm
strong. "Of course you know who the girl
was ? "
"Oh , ot course , " nnd Uinyton shrugged his
iihouldcrs.
"Well , we'll hnvo to go , " nnd led on to
the misty light -without.
( To bo Continued , )
Cnpt. W. II. Dunlnp , Chatta V
nooga , Tenn. . says : "Several years
ago boils nnd cnrbunclos appeared
upon me to nn alarming extent ,
causing mo great trouble nnd pain.
Physicians' treatment did not seem
to avail , nnd finally I decided to
give S. S. S. a trial. I improved at
once , nnd after taking six bottles ,
thoboils and carbuncles disappeared
entirely. "
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Conkey's
Home Journal
Each month prints several popular selections
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Look : in
. , ? S' TO
organs present. Healthy tiienitrual orfjans mean health and beauty everywhere. McRlree'a Whie of PnrHH
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Ellioft , Ark. , Jan. 3d , 1899.
I have < urd Wine of Cardui twice when I wa very - rick and will never forget It The finl ( imc when I was a girl of 16 , My monthly sickneu
became suppressed and very painful and had faHcn off to a shadow. I had a hacking cough and had almost despaired of ever belntf well atfahT
when a dear friend persuaded me to give Wine of Cardui and Black-Draught a trial , and er I had taken half a bottle I commenced feelind better than I
< vtr rtmembtr to have felt in my life before. Several years later , after I w rmrried , I had been scrubbing all day and had taken cold-it was nearrnv
time to b * ick. but the menses did not appear I had a hard chill next day and lay in bed for five weeks. They did not know whether I would live from
one day to another , although wine of our best physicians did their best fo ; me. We had about lost all hope when I remembered the old remedv of
my girlhood days , and got my husband to buy me a bottle unknown to the doctor. Before the first bottle waj tfone I Hot relief 1 am luf
certain I would have lave been In my grave now , if I had not taken it , as I am that I am livim' , 0 L NICHOLSON