Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-11-23

Duo utttl WOtllu BuUlSIy
them but story, and though he was yer,
disinclined for the task, Cecil could moi
resist the look of appeal on their little
bored and weary faces.
"It was 30 hot" they said, land there
was nothing for them to do"
So our hero yielded, making the pen
ance as light as he could by performing i,
stretched out full length ON his back and
closing his eyes.
The presence of Musieeda seated close
by, stringing beads, was matter OF
course. The story progressed slowly
talking with the thermometer nt hun.
dred and forty is exhausting work
Cecils discomfort was closely noted by
one of his hearers. AT last she got up
and walked over to his side.
"Will the gentle sahib take some of
these?" she said. in her low mellow voice
that no heat affected. "Thcy melt in the
mouth like honey, and are so good to
quench ones thirst that my master when
hc hunts in the jungle asks no other
drink"
Cecil opened his eyes, and saw she was
holding before him sandal-wood box
full of sweetmeats, not unlike pomegran-
ate seeds i'll appearance.
Musjeeda had produced 80 many speci-
mems of her national dainties for the
children's delectation that Chesterton felt
no hesitation about accepting those prof
fered him now.
Following Musjecda's advice, he put
three OF the dainty morsels in his mouth,
and saw three others distributed among
the boys.
The ayah had not exaggerated the vir-
tue of her bonbons AS Cecil began to
suck them the parched feeling left his
throat, his tongue grew cool and moist,
and he resumed his narrative in comfort.
But he had not gone on very far before
a pleasant drowsiness began to steal over
his senses-it will be remembered the
afternoon was sultry-his ideas grew
strangely confused, and the words came
dropping slowly and more slowly from
his lips, till by imperceptible degrees they
ceased altogether. The story-teller's lapse
into slumber might have been canse
of grievous disappointment, but for the
convenient circumstance that his hearers
had fallen asleep before he did.
The only wakeful person in the group
was Musjeeda. She had left off stringing
beads, and sat quite still, with her dark
iustrous eyes keeping intent watch on Co.
ellis face.
When the last ripple of consciousness
died out of it, and his features SINK into
complete repose, she rose from her BAN.
boo chair, and moving softly between the
sleeping boys, sat down by his side on
the floor. She remained in that position
for several minutes. When she got up
she went to the ships side, and leaning
over, dropped something into the sea.
After which she departed with swift and
noiseless footsteps to her own cabin.
"Bless me, must have been doing =
exclaimed our hero, waking up with a
start after nm hours sound sleep. "And
the boys have gone off too, by CAD - he
added, after glance about him. "Sound
asleep as the Seven Sleepers y Well,
suppose it is the best thing that could
have lbefallen them in this pernicious
heat How goes the time, l wonder
Two minutes to FIVE A cup of tea will
be grateful. Halo ! my casket has come
open, and-the pearls gone !"
The last sentence was uttered in tones
which effectually reused the boys, and
brought half-a-dozen men and officers to
the upper deck, four steps at time.
"Ive been robbed y cried Chesterton
frantically waving the empty iewel-case
before their eyes.
1.-The Indian woman where is the
Indian woman? She was near lis before
went to sleep. She drugged us with
her internal sugar-plums, and then stole
my pearl. Find her search her
am confident she's got it!'
This exciting scandal spread like wild
fire over the three decks, and the captain
was summoned in haste from his privat,
cabin to hear the rights of the matter.
Poor Cecil's account of his loss was no
very coherent one, for the narcotic, act
ing on his disorganizcd nerves, had ex
cited him terribly.
But the facts referring to Musieeda'
sweetmeats were corroborated by the lit
tlo boys, who Ind also fallnn osleep nfte
partaking of them and the empty jewel
case spoke oritself.
So orders were ISSUED to search the ca
bin and person OF the Indian ayah.
Musjeeda received the command to sub
nit her property to official investigation
and did SO with perfect coolness, remark
ing sarcastically, as she gave up her keys
"that to repay kindness with suspicion
was the courtesy of sahibs."
ooh, come, Miss Mustyiade," retorteC
the stewardess, who had long ago hit upol
this perversion of the ayahs name as
safe and easy way OF testifying contempt
"them soothing drops weren't much t.
be grateful for, anyways. Even suppos
ing they wasn't pizened, of which, sh
added, quickly making pounce at tn
sandal-wood box, which was reposinl
lightly among delicate muslins, 1--WE shal
hear the doctors opinion soon.'
| 1.-THE sooner tine better for me, laugh
ed Musieedn, lightly.
Mrs. Bounceall and her aide-de-camI
came upon several boxes and jars of com
estibles in the course of their search
but though they turned everything relie
iously inside ont, no trace of the pear
was visible anywhere.
"Are you satisfied that | am innocen
now q demanded Musjeeda, triumphant
~, when the last receptacle had bee
rummaged over.
"I'll answer that question, miss, whe
I've got you undressed and taken dow
your back HAIR" was the sententious re
ply. my orders was to search your pei
son ms well rs your property.
"Musieeda's proud dark face flushe
resentfully, but her voice was quite fri
as she said, you can obey them
81 mean to-" chuckled the stewnrdesi
to whom the opportunity of taking dow
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