The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-05-12

al"ays Re-sSisssaats SlLn stnelr, ,pealeIasas
! ! tl!1alI, n1alll ready for instant service by day
or by night.
1t was past 2 O'Clock when DR.. Nor
ton heard, coming down the compound
the moaning, monotOnOus cry of the
bearers who carried their mistress to hel
home. Placing the palanquin in the
veranda, they called loudly for admis
sion, striking the door with their hands
in no small wonder that it had not, as
usual, been thrown wide open at theil
approach. Expectation of the coming
triumph had driven sleep from his pill
low; and he now turned his head with
grim smile, for his revenge was at
hand-the little rebel should learn les.
son novcr to be forgotten.
To the bearers voices was soon added
that Of their mistress; Indignantly, on.
treatingly, coaxingly she called in turn,
She reminded her husband that theil
veranda was overlooked from the road.
"Let me in, I beg, I entreat of you,
! William. 1t will be gun-fire in couple
of hours, and if seen here shall be the
laughing stock Of the whole station. O
William, dear, do let me imp
TO which her husband answered
sternly: "We shall not rest under the
same roof this night;" and he chuckled
to himself, for he only intended to keen
her waiting few minutes.
For a moment Mrs. Morton seemed
irresolute; then, having said few words
to the head bearer, she cried aloud in q
passionate burst of sObs: "I will die
sooner than submit to such humilia-
tion;" and followed by her servants, she
rushed away.
/ There was a long, wailing cry-a
shriek-a heavy splash. Good Heavens!
could it be-could it be possible that his
impetuous wife had thrown herself into
the we'll? Hark to those wild cries as
the bearers run hither and thither, with
loud eXclamations and calls for help.
ParalyZed with fear, the husband could
with difficulty open the door; then
rushing out he would have flung him
self into the still rippling water, in a
mad attempt at rescue, had not a bearer
hung upon his arm, as in broken Eng
lish he tried to explain that his mistress
was safe.
.Then where is size? What is all
this row about? who has fallen in?
What are you all Yelling for?''
For Mem Sahib tell eThrow big
stone down well;' then too much bob
berry make; run this way, that way
plenty great tamasha. Mem Sahib
make big cry, then Mem run away"
DR.. Morton knew himself outwitted,
for doubtless his wife had taken ad-
vantage of the door she had thus sue
cceded in opening. All, we'll, though
YeXed at the trick, lie was by 10 means
sorry that the conflict was at an end, =,
and that they should both pass what re-
mained of the night III peaceful rest
lie dismissed the bearers, and returned
to the house, but to find it shutl The
door was closed, and obstinately re-
sisted all efforts to open it; while a
voice from the window from 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 u
silly joke, then expostulated, then
stomed; but all without avail or even
notice. lie 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. lie
stamped at first with anger, but soon
with cold, for his night pyjamas offered
slight protection against the chill morn
ing air. At length seeing the palan-
quin, he got into it. The lovely cloak
was lying on the cushions; he drew the
hood over his head, it's delicate hues in
striking contrast to his sunburned face
and disheVelled hair, and dragging it
round his broad shoulders with an angry
tug, he settled himself to sleep.
The gun had fred, the tassemblyn
sounded, but still the doctor slept on.
Nor was he reused by the sound of
horses hOOfs, as Il Devy of ladies, un-
escorted except by servants, rode Zip to
the door. They would be joined in
their ride by their husbands after pa
rade; and then, after a final round of
the course, assemble at the house of one
or other of the party to chota-hazZarie
and lively discussion of absent friends.
In much surprise they waited IL
minute 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 it is! A little corner of tile cloak
worn the night before by Mrs. Morton
peeped out Of the closed door Of the
palanquin; twas evident that the Door
little thing had been obliged to seek that
shelter. "What q shame!n They
would speak to her, they would comfort
her, and oh, what laugh they would
have against herl They grouped them
selves round the palanquin, bending
low to peer in; and on either side drew
back the sliding doors as--graciousl-
DR.. Morton, still half asleep, slowly
opened his eyes. Most effectually was
he awakened by the startling exclama-
tion with which the visitors hastily re-
treated to their horses, which they were
III the act Of mounting as the door was
thrown open, and Mrs. Morton appeared
in her riding habit. They Immediately
rode away to the infinite satisfaction OF
the recumbent and impatient doctor,
who was in mortal fear that fresh com.
plications might arise through his un-
expected absence from duty bringing
messages of inquiry.
At the meeting of husband and wife
we would rather not play fly in the cor.
her, but take for granted that there was
the usual amount of tears, recriminatiol
and Mysteries, in wllich-fOr. this occa
sion Only--a torn and crumpled fabric
Of pink and silver took an active part
the sight Of it from time to time stimu
lating Mrs. Morton's grief and elo
quence, while her husband, who
smarting under the eDpose Of tho
morning, had entered on the fray will
IN ,i,,it