The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-10-03

As they conversed, the throng of car
riages had been gradually thinning, and
but few were left as Cissy at last heard
the welcome order to return home. The
driver gathered up his reins, the syces
jumped to their perches behind, and with
sigh of relief she sank back among the
cushions, as they bowled away softly over
the turf towards the lamp-lit bazars.
Unconscious of the dark faces and strange
sights with which she had already be-
come quite familiar, she was borne
through the lighted streets, the bazafs,
so picturesque and weird when the glare
of the sun is not there to show their filth
and wretchedness, when the roads that
have been so dusty, so baking hot, are
still moist and cool from their artificial
shower. Away beyond to opener coun-
try the carriage glided, where the stars
and the moon and the trees overshadowed
them, among the camp and the bunga-
lows dispersed all over the station, and
full to overfowing for the next few days
with those who meet and mingle and
welcome one another for short time,
united by the common bond that they are
strangers in strange land.
And the turfy stretch they have left
behind becomes once more desolate and
bare; the last of the stragglers leaves it,
the moon rises softly over it, the stars
simmer down into the lake, the light
winds ripple the silvery surface of the
waters. Save the sound of the whisper
ing reeds not murmur is heard, not a
trace of life is left, not an echo is heard
of the merry voices that filled tie air
with laughter but short while before.
The carriage which contained Mra.
Campbell, Mrs. Ricart, and their daush-
ters, turned finally into the compound of
large bungalow, where several tents,
and large semiana (or open tent, fur
nished like room, but with no walls)
were pitched. Here duskv figures with
lights would be seen gliding about, and
in the semiana several ladies and gentle
men were already seated, chatting and
laughing, or refreshing themselves with
cool drinks Others followed in carriages
or on horseback, guests, who, like them
selves had been riding or driving on the
course, and now discussed the neighbors
they had not met, or their own affairs,
till it was time to dress for their late din
ner, and the ball that was to take place
that evening, By ones and twos they
soon slipped away again, the gentlemen
to the tents which had been provided for
their riding or sleeping accommodation,
the ladies to the accommodation afforded
by the bungalow.
Let us follow the two cousins as they
retired to the room they were to share to-
gether, where their native women already
awaited them, and ball-dresses had been
spread out on their beds, ready. Cissy
submitted herself at once to the hands of
her ayah; Alice fitted about restlessly
for while, and chatted increasingly as
she pulled out ribbons and flowers to try
which would best suit her olive complex
ion; ever and anon caressing and fawning
on her cousin, proceeding she would
still have persisted in, had she even have
known how the recipient shrank from it.
The two girls are great contrast as we
see them by the bright light of the wall
amps. Cissy is tall, and calm, and state
y; Alice slight, short, and lively. the
lips of the one are full. sweet, and firm;
those of the other thin and tight, the
short upper lip continually parting over
pearly white teeth. Neither has much
color, but Cissy's complexion is delicate
ly tinted and PALE whilst Alice's is a
clear olive, beneath which the crimson
grows often warmly. The one wears her
hair in goden-brown twists about the
crown of her head, the other in an intri-
cate mass of soft, silky braids. Alice's
eyes are sharp and near, glowing black
eyes, that sparkle bewitchingly and con-
fuse one often; Cissy's a soft violet blue,
with calm, tranquil look in their depths.
Both are beauties in their way.
"Ah, you are going to wear white to-
eight, Cissy; you always look SO we'll in
white; and these frosted flowers are beau.
tiful. Now, | need more color; should
wear scarlet or maize flowers, do you
think" said Alice.
MAIZE, tonight, with that black net
Mt least, if you do not lose your color, as
you 50 often do," answered her cousin
But you can easily change the flowers
after dinner, if you do need something
brighter"
Now chatting quietly, now continuing
silently, the two girls had almost com
pleted their toiet, when a knock was
heard at the door, "Come in" they
called.
Anative woman, in her picturesque garb
lifted the curtain before the door, anc
entered. Cleaning black eyes and ivory
'aeth Lit up the dark face, which gowec
leneath the graceful white cheddar
which native women wear AS she salaamet
profoundly to one cousin, then to thu
other.
"What is it, MahajuniaT asked Alice
Does mamma want meT
"The Maam Sahib sends her salaam
20 the Mus Baba, and wishes to speak II
her" answered the woman, in Hindos
tanee.
"All right; tell her I'll come re2lie'
Alice, in the same language; and takin
he rest of her flowers, etc, in her hand
,tepped out by an open window into tn
verandah, and waking along ,sarly tn