The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-12-28

colonel, an old friend from England" and
she introduced Markham to her husband.
'Mr. Markham = said the colonel. Il have
much hOnor-thc engineer Of the-Line| ?
'The same, sir.
The colonel dabblcd in speculation: the
colonel was delightad to make Markham's
acquaintance his poor house was at Mark
hams service while he remained ut the sta
ton. The colonel drew Markham out of the
circle to have some special conversation on
railway topics; the circle closed again to
listen To Mrs. Vincent's brilliant Sllics and
repartec, but she had become silent and
pcnsiyc.
When she had heard of Markham last, he
had gone TO Canada. Why in the countless
chances Of life should he and she meet at this
time in India? Why should the error Of
her life have been thus brought wildly be-
! fore her? Was this monitOn of repentance?
'c, why repentance at this particular season?
repentance timing itself with the newest
yalsc from England and the whirl of the dan
GERS. How the heayincss and depression OF
mind darkens passing events The vague
rumOrs of that dreadful affair at Mcerut-
was that merely an isolated occumncc arising
out of special circumstances? The colonel
said sO-thc colonel and all the officers were
fully confident in the devotion and loyalty
of the regiment. she had believed them i'm
plicitly but now her mind was filled with
terrible doubt. What ifthesc natives should
prove utterly false? Why, she and all around
her were trcading on smoudcring irc. She
must speak to the colonel where was hc? ?
She raised her eyes; the circle which had
been round her gradually dispersed, all, save
one, that Rajah Of. She was perfectly
accustomed to that rcpulsiyc mystery of ex-
preston which marks the oriental type but
when his eyes chanccd to meet hers, there
was something so terribly rcpulsiyc in the
gaze that she trcmblcd and turned pale. In
another moment deep crimson mantlcd her
countcnancc: she left her seat and hurried
to the colonel, who was still standing talking |
to Markham. Placing her arm in bis, she
whispered
let us 60 home now
ITS early yet, my love-
The colonel was deep in the share market,
and anxious for further conversation with
Markham.
'But don't feel quite well; pray come
Goodnight, Mr. Markham, we shall ipect
again soon.'
Certainly said the colonel, Mr.. Mark
ham has promised to dine with us tO-mor.
row.
MARKHAM bowed.
Tomorrow y
As it will be Mt the end of the world, 80 il
was at many OF those stations in India. The
sun rose on the ordered strength OF human
system, and behold all that men trusted
aud clung to, SlIrunk ina moment from their
grasp.
They did meet again very soon, Mrs. Vim
cent and Markham-aspccdy transition from
iho amenities OfsJciety to grim strife for life
and death-traggcd from her own home (;
hut he had rescued her, driven hcr--cinging
desperately to bim-tlrOugh hundred dan
gerS.
Whittier now? Bewildcrcd by unknown
roads, beneath burning sun and fiery gusts
of parching wind, the harc-hcld rein grow
Ing lOOsGr and looscr in the hand. Still she
kept urging him to hurry On-On, from u
fear worse than death that possessed her
soul.
But the brave horse, wounded aud worn
out, fell at last.
This flight from the land of death, so ter
rlbly real, yet growing more and more into
clOggcd Clhrt tO escape, and the sense of an
irresistible doom creeping slowly Onwards.
There was native hut near the road. Ii
appeared tcnantlcss. Ilc half carried, Z, her,
half dragged her to it. The place was quite
bare, save some rough planl<ing at one end
which formed rude couch. IL afforded
shelter from the sun, not from the heat; still
IL gave them brcathing-timc.
Oh, that fearful heat though she had
lived three years in India, she never before
felt its full force untcmpered by the appli-
anccs of man.
Neither spoke for while. Profound
silence regncd around thcn-silcncc more
awful than the din and clamor from which
they had fled. lnaction more terrible than
the sharp struggle that had saved them from
death. lnactiOn, which allowed the mind to
realize silcncc-as il Heaven were hushcd for
u last confession and prayer.
The chances were terribly against escape.
Markham saw that clearly and yet even to his
surprise, he had never in his lie known his
life more perfectly composed and capable OF
exact thought. lie was cOnstitutOnally
fully developed until he stood face to face
V.
Her husband had Just fallen in his brave
attempt to appeal TO the men, but in the
terror of the present there was no room Tor
that sorrow in her mind. Life or death ?
Life was to fall alive into the rebels hands;
death was to die uniorgyen by those she
had wrongcd most.
Markham, have you any ammunition
lclt?'
I'VE must give up all hopes Of resistance
against numbers, hc replied quietly.
But the ammunition p
'Only one barrel loaded lrmOrc than
three attack us have determined to throw
the pistol away. Perhaps | should act diff
fcrcnty were alone, but it would only ex-
aspcratc them against yOu.'
'Onc barrel loaded = she murmurcd, then
was silent \ terrible resolution was form
inG in her mind.
She looked stcadf,stly at him. is there
any hope of escape, Markham"
Very little hope, If we are pursued:
'lIow calm YOU are Markham-l'm'-
DO YOU think my life has been 50 very
happy, Pauline, that should be quite un-
nerycd by the approach of death|.
i'b'N lililb ti'l ulFNNlbh iNi ''''''
yet? | fancied you were so ambitious.
1T formed the very base of my ambition.
| have worked since. because there If sense
Of power in me which urges me on, but
have worried careless of reward and honor.
'Can you forgive her, Markham
Il have forgiven her since entered TINS
hut
40. Markham, at this last hour, can you
forgive me alsO?' She flung herself ~ MS
feet. Il induced her to marry that man;
You had every right, us her sister, larry
to advise. The blame was hers IN yield
ing /
Markham the blame was mipe-l decived
hCr-kill me, but must speak now. was
horribly tempted. Our family were very poor
for the station We held. That rich man i9'ea
her, il she married him. il opened a path oi