The Hickman courier., 1878-06-21

FULTON
al see you think me deranged, but ]
knew he was alive all the time
why, what could have led you t,
think so ?"
az saw him, Colonel Hastings. It wa
in our old bungalow at Calcutta, abou
two years after got back. Late in th,
evening heard footstep outside whicl
strangely affected me. I was lying hal
asleep, and, starting up in drowsy
state, I heard q voice at the veranda
and, as thought, inquiring of my stupid
old native whether I lived there Tn,
steps then turned away. Idarted to the
easement, and although the figure wa.
clsd in the most extraordinary compound
of European and Asiatic garments, l am
sure it was jerry. / darted down stair,
and rushed out, but the man had disap
pesred. The servant said he was bad
fakir, and wished to get in the bungalow,
but could or would tell me nothing oi
what he had said Bat [ quite sure
IL wss-.TsrEysss - Ea~essftsiR ssssssszzs.es
come back. Bat you remember he never
was punctual," she added, with q faint
smile.
l did not say TO her that if Jerry was
alive she must have heard of him in
some other way; but I.took leave of her,
and shortly afterwards returned to In
dia
In 1853, was appointed to an embas.
sy TO Nepaul, very striking country,
governed by q powerful warlike race.
The first minister or vizier of the ceun-
try met Us, as in the Nepaulese fashion,
outside the capital, and we had very
courteous and gratifying reception. He
was tall, handsome man, with a flowing
black beard, and conversed with me in
Persian, which I spoke Auently. After
our interview, one OF the attendants in
formed me that the Yizier wished to zee
me alone, and he accordingly conducted
me to an inner apartment. He ordered
the attendants to withdraw, and then, in
tones only too familiar, he exclaimed:
"Well, Hastings, ray boy, how go the
Plungers ?"
It WAS Jerry Donnelly, by ali that was
miraculous, had observed him staring
earnestly at me during the interview,
and something in his gestures seemed
not unfamiliar to me; but his flowing
beard, solemn sir, and Oriental dress, 50
well disguised him, that, even when
heard his swell-remembered voice, could
scarcely realize his identity.
Il But what on earth sre you doing
here, Jerry?" said I, and why don't |
you 90 home 70 your wife, ike
Christian p
My wife well, that's the whole af> |
fair. You see, she's somebody else's |
wife, so I'm better out OF the way; it /
would be a pity that poor Sophy should |
commit bigamy"
" assure you, you are entirely mis-
taken. Mrs. DonneIly has not married /
again"
" Hasn't she, though % said he.
g Don't I know better? Didn't I 20 to |
my bungalow and find ont that she had /
naarrIca UnaG stAtcIfeu 1901 CsurpsIsty,f I
when she knew l never could endure {
him
To his intense astonishment, told him 1
how the truth was, snd in return he /
related to me his own adventures. He |
had been carried into Tartary, and there
detained for three years, when he was
allowed TO accompany a caravan or body |
of pilgrims to Nepsul. Being by that
time proficient in the language, he was
was taken notice of at court, but very (
strictly watched. He effected his escape, /
however, disguised as fakir, and made !
his way to Calcutta but finding, as he /
thought, his wife married again to man
in his old regiment, he returned, was
taken into favor, and had risen to his
present distinction.
Well, l always was 3 laundering /
fool, but went home with heart so soft /
to Sophy, and vowing that would never
vex her any more with my vagaries, that
when heard her called Mrs Courtnay
I was turned to stone, and did not care a /
rap what became of me, not even to be
made a vizier, which l assure you,
Charlie, is no joke in its way"
Well, at all events, you must come
home now and enjoy your good fortune"
"I am not sure about that" said he.
" Recollect, she has grown accustomed
to be mistress-I have grown accustomed
to be vizjer; she won't like to be contra
dicted, and it's thing never could
bear, and what 1 never allowed on any
account. Now, if I went home, she
would not be mistress, and, as sure as
fate, she would contradict me. May be
it is better as it Is"
Next morning he sent for me again.
"I have been thinking" he said, col
all that strange story you told me.
am all changed since we parted.
hardly know myself to be the same man
1 used to be, and am not sure that l
could treat Sephy well. But ask her to
come out here, and then she can try. II
she likes me in this outlandish place, /
viii go home with her; ii we quarrel
here no one will be DIT the wiser, and l
can continue to be dead.
"But," said /, "have you no incum-
brsnces ?'' Perhaps she might object TO
the details Of your establishment"
Not Bit" said Jerry; g have
none of your eastern prejudices; let her
come, and she will find nobody to disturb
her."
She did come, and after living in
Nepaul for two years, brought Jerry
back in triumph to Branley Hall; and
such is the true version of tale which
made some noise in the newspapers q few
yesrs ago.
The Parlor