The Sentinel. [volume] (Trenton, N.J.) 1880-1882, 1881-01-15
The Favorite Daughter.

OoIoAcI MORTON was q OF England's
Indian soldiers who had attained dis
Junction. He was a Companion of the
pain; and although honors are some
times bestowed in the ~neighborhood of
courts on small pretense or upon none.
tne indian officers who win the ribbon
are perhaps among the most meritori-
GUS body OF men in the world. And if
to be brave and kindly, loyal and true,
are qualities which merit the recogni-
ton OF authority, the colonel deserved
the reward he had received, and more.
He had married early in life and had
several children, which had perhaps
given a manly gravity to his character
when other young captains of his age
were over-busy with brandy-pawnee
and games OF hazard. Certain it is that
his home was cited as one of the pleas.
ATTEST and best-kept houses in Madras,
when first his wife sickened,
then his children. The climate of
India was not so well understood at
that time as itis now; and Mrs. Morton
was ordered bone by the local physi-
clan, most experienced in such cases.
"You will never real q family here"
remarked the doctor, who was fire.
quently consulted in such emergencies.
1.-The climate is nnfavorable to the
health and vigor of the English race in
the second geeeration. Native air is the
only remedy known to science, and it
must be taken as DOR as the mischief
begins. l had to send my wife home
last year; the best advice 1 can give
you is to follow my example"
So Mrs. Morton, after some struggle
with her love and pride, had to leave
her husband, as other ladies have done
before and since, with a sore heart. But
there was no help for it; the brave and
loving woman remained at her post,
and smiled at her own danger, 10 that
she could stay by the side of him who
was more than life to her. Then nature
gave way and broke down utterly.
She and her children were pale and
thin Is phantoms when they stepped on
board the great ship, which was flying
the blue-peter, accompanied by the sad
faced major of cavalry in undress uni
form. He watched them with straining
eyes, as they stood on deck waving scarf
and kerchief to him, and the big steamer
went out to sea. They had taken his
heart with them.
Mrs. Morton settled on the pleasant
coast of Hampshire; partly to be in the
neighborhood of some rich kinsfolk
from whom she had e~xpectancies, and
partly because her wifely fancy made
her think that she was nearer him, so
long as she remained by the sea and
ready to return should he recall her, or
did one whisper reach her that she was
needed near him.
1t was long before she rallied and the
roses came back to the sweet English
faces of her little ones.
Her husband could not afford to
throw up his commission, which had
cost him half his fortune; he could
not 90 on half-pay either with any
prudence, or ask for leave while there
was war on the frontier and his regi-
ment was ordered on active duty. So the
honest gentleman served out the usual
term of service, got his colonelcy in due
| course, and was handsomely dealt with
by John Company" Ia nickname fol
the then Hon. East India Company
a kinder master, it is said, than his sue
cessor.
When the colonel arrived at South
ampton, however, with all his honorS
thick upon him, he was a good deal
altered. His stalwart figure had not run
into bulk, and had the same gallant cav
alier look rs when he roo with Have
lock and Beaston on his first campaigns
But his hair, which had been black,
was now of iron-gray; his comely face
had grown more stern, and his voice
had the metallic ring in it OF one accus'
toned to command. In truth, the
| colonel was forty-six and looked fifty