The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1870-07-16
Trumpet by a Tiger.

My dear Eversley, what in the world
have you been doing with yourself all this
morning?' cried Fred Sandiland, ESD,
resident collector of II. L. Ms. province OF
Wellesley and Penang, as his friend saun-
tered slowly into the breakfast a long, low
apartment, rs the fashion of bungalow
demands, its walls hung with antlered
stays heads and huge Buffalo horns stands
Of rifles, guns, rods, and all the equipment
dear to sportsman, while the Chinese
mattings on the floor was scattered with
skins of various animals: deep French lat
tees opening on two sides upon broad
veranda, shaded by many clusters Of .jessa-
mine and passion vine. From this step
descended upon sloping lawn, somewhat
burnt by the heat of an Indian sun, but
inclning gently till it met the cool waters
of the strait that separates Penang from
the main land. Across the water-dim and
blue in the MONDAY haZe-roSe the distant
mountains of Quedah while nearer fringe
of betel and cocoa palms lined the opposite
shore. The jungle had been cleared in the
vicinity of the house, leaving scattered
groups of palms and wild shrubs to relieve
the eye with their luxuriance Of leaf
"Kate," resumed Sandiland, turning to
his sister, who, seated at the foot of the
table, had raised the levelest pair of gray
eyes in all India, as Eversley entered, greet
ing him with cold good morning, "has
been more than half inclined to leave you
to breakfast alcne.''
81 beg your pardon, Miss Sandiland, but
trust my game bag may recommend me
to mercy said Eversley, quietly seating
himself and beginning his breakfast.
a couple of hours capital sport among the
snipe, Banda, the shikarru, found the
tracks of tiger. We followed them down
to the waters edge, where he appears to
have crossed back to the main land
81 have not heard of one on the Island
for the last three years." said Sandiland-
* Once upon time we used to have them
frequently, but the jungles are too much
shot through now"
81 would advise you, nevertheless, Miss
Sandiland,' replied Eversley, "to be care
full how you extend your walks unattended;
neighbors Of this description are not pleas
ant
"Thank you, Captain Eversley, l have
no doubt tiger would be an unpleasant
companion; but I am not at all afraid of
meeting one so near Soonpa. May give
you another cup of teae'
"No.'
''Well, then, will leave you and Fred
to finish your breakfast and cheeroots
together"
''What's the row, Jim, between you and
Kate? l thought you and she were going
to get ON together capitally, and yet at the
end of six weeks you both appear more
crushingly polite than ever.,,
Everseley was lighting his cheroot from
joss stick on the mantle-piece; he smoked
quietly for minute he fore he answered:
g l don't mind telling you, Fred, old fell
low, though you know 1 am not good
hand at condolences. The long and short
Of it is, that Pm in love with Ka-, your
sister,
"Small blame to you. She is the pref
test and best girl in the Presidencies, and
you know, Jim, there is no man l would
rather see her marry than yourself; but l
can't see how your being in love with her
accounts for the excessive politeness be-
tween you," and Sandiand put his hand
aflectionately on Eversley's shoulder. The
two friends looked at each other for a
moment, and then exchanged quiet grasp
of the hand
"Well,'' said Eversley, "rm afraid Pve
made an awful fool of myself, Fred and
spoiled my chance by doing so; but l
couldn't help it, and SO the other night
while we were smoking down Oh the rocks
in the moonlight, the whole thing came
over me. felt if Kate didn't love me- |
should never love any other girl, and l told
her so.'
by Jove! but you have queer ideas of
your own about love making, master Jim.
Do you suppose woman is going to accept
you because you suddenly discover you are
in love with her, and blurt out proposal
like a snapshot at jungle-fowlo My
dear boy, half their fun is in discovering
we love them; now l don't believe Kate
has bit of nonsense about her, still you
won't find any woman willing to give up
their prescriptiye RIGHTS Of her sex: her