Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-04-20
fire, when Of course the house would be

ore i'll rs little request IN INDIA MS SEDAN
chairs in England but in DIR. aud Mrs.
Morton's time--for know, oh, reader, that
my story is founded on fNct--they were,
except in the evening drive, the most
general mode Of carriage. In the veran-
dah Of every house one or more might
always be seen, with their bearers at
hand, ready for instant service by day or
by night.
1t was past Q o'clock when DR.. Morton
heard, coming down the compound, the
moaning monotonous cry of the bearers
who carried their mistress to her home.
Placing the palanquin in the verandah,
they called loudly for admission, striking
door with their hands, in no small wonder
that it had not, rs usual, been thrown
wide open at their approach. Expecta-
ton of the coming triumph had driven
sleep from his pillow and he now turn
ed his head with grim smile, for his
revenge was Mt hand-the little rebel
should learn lesson never to be forgot
ten.
To the bearers voices was soon added
that of their mistress's Indignantly, en-
trcatngly, coaxingly she called in turn.
She reminded her husband that their YER
andah was overlooked from the road.
.IIet me in, beg entrent of You, VIII
liam. 1t will be gun-iire in a couple OF
hours, and if seen here | shall be the
| laughing stock of the whole station. y
| William, dear, do let me i'll y
To which her husband answered stern
| ly, 1--WE shall not rest under the same
roof this night :" and he chuckled to him
self, for he only intended to keep her
waiting few minutes.
For a moment Mrs. Morton seemed ir-
resolute then having said a few words
| to the head bearer, she cried aloud i'll
passionate burst of subs 81 will die
sooner than submit to such Illumination
and, followed by her servants, she rushed
away.
There was n long waiing cry-a Shrek
"A heavy splash Good heavens could
| it bc-could it he possible that his I'M
pctuuus wife had thrown herself into the
well? Hank to those wild cries us the
bearers run hithcr and thilhcr with loud
| ordinations and calls forhelp. Paralyz-
| ed with fear, the husband could with dit
ficulty open the door then rushing ont
he would have flung himself into the still
ripping water, in mad attempt mt res
cue, had not bearer hung upon his arm,
as, in broken English he tried to explain
| that his mistress was safe.
"Then where is she? What is all this
row about ? Who has fallen in? What
are you all yelling for?"
"For Mem Sahib tell, 'Throwbig stone
down well : then too much bobbery
make run this way, that way-plenty
great tamasha. Mem Sahib make big
cry, then Mem run away"
DIR. Morton knew himself outwittel,
for doubtless his wife had taken advan-
tage of the door she had thus succeeded
in opening All, well, though vexed ut
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 OBJ
stinately resisted all efforts to open 1t /;
while voice from the window from
! which lie had so lately spoken, said :
| 1--WE shall not sleep under the same roof
this night" The doctor, with ali uneasy
laugh, first treated the situation az 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 III
Mems room, and Mem had the key I'M
der her pillow. He stamped at first with
pyjamas 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 sunburned face
and disheveled hair, and dragging it
round his broad shoulders with an angry
tug. settled himself to sleep.
The puu had fired tbp nasspmhlyi
sounded, but still the doctor slept on
Nor was he aroused by the sound of
horses hoofs, as bevy Of ladies', unes-
corted except by servants, rode mp to the
door. They would be joined in their ride
by their husbands after parade and
then, after n final round of the course
assemble at the house of one or the other
of their party to chota-hazzaria and n
lively discussion of absent friends.
In much surprise they waited II minute
or SO before the closed and silent house
then, with significant glances, one after
another slid from her saddle, determined
to solve the mystery. ALI, there it is ! A
little corner of the cloak worn the night
before by Mrs. Morton pecped ont Of the
closed door of the palanquin twas evil
dent that the poor little thing had been
obliged to seek that shelter. "What a
shame !" They would speak to her, they
would comfort her, and oh, what II laugh
they would have against her They
grouped themselves round the palanquin,
bending low to peer in and one on the
other side drew back the sliding doors as
-gracious DIR. Morton still half asleep,
slowly opened his eyes. Most etlectually
was he wakened by the startling exciama-
ton with which the visitors hastily re-
treated to their horses, which they were
Just in the act of mounting ms the door
was thrown open, and Mrs. Morton APP
pcared i'll her riding habit. They inllne-
diately rode away, to the infinite satisfac-
ton Of the recumbent but impatient doc
tor, who was in mortal fear that fresh
complications might arise through his
unexplained absence from duty b ringing
messages of inquiry.
At the meeting of husband and wife
we would rather not play fly in the corn
er, but take it for granted that there was
the usual amount of tears, recrimination
and Mysteries, in which-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 stimulating
Mrs. Morton's grief and eloquence, while
her husband, who, smarting under the
expose of the morning, had entered on
the fray with unusual spirit soon found
himself vmquished limp and utterly dis
mayed, ms his own inconsistent, tyranni-
cal and selfish conduct was contri,sted-
not for the first time-with the patient
endurance of his long-suiiering wife.
Neither of this nor Of the reconciliation
that followed in natural sequence, shall
p1n Ia lint Of of hn