The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1883-05-17

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their approach. Expectation of the
coming triumph had driven sleep from
his pillow and he now turned his head
with grim smile, for his revenge was
at hand-the little rebel should learn a
lesson never to be forgotten.
To the bearers voices was soon added
that of their mistress; Indignantly, en-
treatingly, coaxingly she called in turn.
She reminded her husband that their
Verandah was overlooked from the road.
LET me in. | beg, | entreat of you,
William. 1t win be gun-tire in couple
OF hours. and if seen here | shall be the
laughing stock of the whole station. O
William dear, do let me in!''
| 10 which her husband answered
sternly; 'TWe shall not rest under the
same roof this night and he chuckled
to himself, for he only intended to keep
her waiting a few minutes.
For a moment Mrs. Morton seemed
irresolute; then, having said few words
to the head-bearer, she cried aloud in a
passionate burst of sobs: II will die
sooner than submit to such humiliation;"
and, followed by herseryants. she rushed
away.
There was a long wailing cry-a shrek
a heavy splash. Good Heavens! could
it be-could it be possible that his i'm
petuous wife had thrown herself into the
well? Hark to those wild cries, as the
bearers run hither and thither with loud
exclamations and calls for help. Par
alyzed with fear, the husband could with
difficulty open the door; then, rushing
out, he would have flung himself into
the still rippling water, in a mad at
tempt at rescue, had not bearer hung.
upon his arm, as, in broken English, he
tried to explain that his mistress was
safe.
'sThen, where is shep What is all
this row about? Who has fallen in?
What are you all yelling for?''
''tor Mem Sahib tell: Throw big
stone down WE'LL then too much bob,
berry make; run this way, that way
plenty great tamasha. Mem Sahib make
big cry, then Mem run away'f
DIR. Morton knew himself outwitted,
for doubtless his wife had taken advant-
age of the door she had thus succeeded in
opening. All, well, though yexed at the
trick, he was by no means sorry that the
conflict was at an end, and that they
should both pass what remained of the
night in peaceful rest He dismissed
the bearers and returned to the house,
but to find it shut! The door was closed,
and obstinately resisted all efforts to opeE
1t; while voice from the window
at which he had himself so lately
spoken said: "We shall not sleep
under the same roof this night" The
doctor, with an uneasy laugh, first
treated the situation as silly joke, then
expostulated, then stormed; but all
without avail or even notice. He called
to the ayah to open the door; but her
answer was that she was locked in Mems
room. and Mem had the key under her
pillow. He stamped at first with anger,
but soon with cold, for his night pyia-
mas offered slight protection against the
chill morning air. At length, seeing the
palanquin. he got into it. The lovely
cloak was lying on the cushions; he
drew the hood over his head, its delicate
hues IN striking contrast to his sunburnt
face and dishevelled hair, and dragging
1t. round his broad shoulders with an
angry tug, settled himself to sleep.
The gun had fired, the assembly
sounded, but still the doctor slept on.
Nor was he reused by the sound of
horses hoofs, as a bevy of ladies, un-
escorted except by servants, rode up to
the door. They would be joined in their |
ride by their husbands after parade; and
then, after final round of the course.
assemble at the house of one or other of |
their party to chota- -hazzarie and a lively
discussion of absent friends.
In much surprise they waited a min
ute or so before the closed and silent |
house; then, with significant glances,
one after the other slid from her saddle, |
determined to solve the mystery. All,
there tis! A little corner of the cloak |
worn the night before by Mrs Morton
peeped out of the closed doors of the
twas evident that the poor
little thing had been obliged to seek that
shelter. "What shame!n They would |
speak to her, they would comfort
her, and 0, what laugh they
would have against herl They
grouped themselves round the palanquin.
bending low topeer in; and one on either
side drew back the sliding doors as
III. b4OEtOus Sbln 01iI-aSle6p,
slowly opened his eyes. Most effectualiy
was he wakened by the startled exclama-
ion with which the visitors hastily re-
treated to their horses, which they were
lust in the act of mounting as the door
was thrown open, and Mrs. Morton ap-
oeared in her riding habit They imme
lately rode away, to the Infinite salts
action of the recumbent but impatient
toctor, whowas in mortal fear that fresh
complications might arise through his
unexplained absence from duty bringing
Messages of inquiry.
AT the meeting of husband and wife
We would rather not play fly in the cor
Ter, but take for granted that there was
he usual amount of tears, recriinination
nd Mysteries, in which-for this occasion
ni.y-a torn and crumpled fabric of pink
nd silver took an active part; the sight
i 1t from time to time stimulating Mrs.
lorton' S grief and eloquence, while her
usoand who, smarting under the expose
I the morning, had entered on the fray
1lth unusual spirit. soon found himsef
anquished, limp and utterly dismaved.
his own inconsistent. tyrannical and
piflSh ponduaE vuaS oont.o,+oI =.