The Lamoille news. (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1877-1881, 1879-04-16

slender enough, so that in the end this
fine estate had come to her, and new
name with it. She asked me come
down and see her, which l did, and
learned more of the history.
Sorrow and prosperity greatly changed
her for the better. Even her looks had
improved, and she was a pleasant,
thoughtful, agreeable woman. She had
remained four years in Calcutta before
she returned, and had at once assumed
the name of Courtnay, which was one
of the conditions on which the bequest
was made.
"You know, Colonel Hastings, Icould
not have lost the estate, for what would
poor Jerry have said when he came
back?"
| thought the woman's head must have
been affected by her troubles, and said
nothing.
Il see you think me deranged, but l
knew he was alive all the time"
"Why, what could have induced you
to think SOP"
II knew him, Colonel Hastings. 1t
was in your bungalow at Calcutta,
about two years after had gone back.
Late in the evening | heard footstep
outside which strangely affected me. l
was lying half asleep, and, starting up
in a drowsy state, heard voice at
the veranda, and, as l thought, inquir-
ing of my stupid old servant whether l
lived there. The steps then turned
away. l darted to the easement, and al
though the figure was clad in the most
extraordinary compound of European
and Asiatic garments, am sure it was
jerry. l darted down stairs and rushed
out, but he had disappeared. The SER
want said he was bad fakir and wished
to get in the bungalow, but he could or
would tell me nothing of what he had
said. But am quite sure it was Jerry.
So l am quite certain he will come
back-but you remember he never was
punctual," she added, with faint smile
l did not say if Jerry was alive she
must have heard ofhim some other way
but took leave of her and shortly after
ward returned to India.
In 1853 | was appointed to an embassy
to Nepaul, very striking country, gov
erned by powerful, warlike race. The
first minister or vizier of the country met
us, as in the Nepauleze fashion, outside of
the capital, and we had very courteous
and gratifying reception. He was tail,
handsome man, with n flowing, black
beard, and conversed with me in Per-
sian, which spoke fuently. After our
one of the attendants informed
me the vizer wished to see me alone, and
he accordingly conducted me to an inner
apartment. He ordered the attendant to
withdraw, and then, in tones only too fa-
miliar, he exclaimed:
"Well, Hastings, my boy, how go on
the Plungersp"
1t was Jerry Donnelly, by all that was
had observed him staring
earnestly at me during the interview, and
something in his gestures seemed not un-
familiar to me, but his flowing beard,
solemn air and Oriental dress so much
disguised him, that even when l heard
the well-remembered voice could
scarcely realize his identity.
But what on earth are you dong
here, JerryP" said I, "why don '6Ssu
go home to your wife like Christfan'pp
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 pity that poor Sophie should
commit bigamy."
assure you that you are entirely
Mrs. Donnelly is not married
again.
Hasn't she, though" said he.
Don't ] know betterP Didn't l go
back to my bungalow and find out that
she had married that starched fool,
Courtnay, when she knew Inever could
endure him!"
To his intense astonishment l told him
how the truth was and in turn he re-
lated to me his own adventures. He
had been carried into Tartary, and there
detained for three years, when he was
allowed to accompany caravan or body
of pilgrims to Nepaul. Being by that
time q proficient in the language, he
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 mar
ried again to man in his old regi-
ment, he returned, was taken into favor
and had risen to his present distinction.
"Well, ! always was a blundering
fool, but / went home with a heart so
ore to Sophie and avowing that would
never vex her any more with my vaga-
ries, that when heard her called Mrs.
Courtnay | was turned to stone, and
did not care rap what became of me,
even to be made vizier, which, / as
sure you, Charlie, is no joke in its way"
"Well, at all events you must come
home now and enjoy your good for
tune"
II am not sure about that" said he.
/" Recollect, she has grown accustomed
to be mistress, and l have grown ac-
customed to be vizier. She won't
like to be contradicted, and it's a thing
l never could bear, and what | never
allow on any account. Now, if went
home, she would not be mistress, and
as sure as fate she would contradict
me. Maybe it is better as it is"
Next morning he sent for me again.
Il have been thinking" he said, "of
all the strange stories you told me, lam
all changed since we parted. / hardly
know myself ito be the same man / used
to be, and am not sure should treat
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