The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1883-05-19

his pillow; aud he now turned his head
with grim smile. for his revenge was
at hand-the little rebel should learn
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
yerandah was overlooked from the road.
..Let me in. 1 beg, l 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. 0
William dear. do let me inr'
To which her husband answered
sternly: I'VE shall not rest under the
same roof this night and he chuckled
to himself, for he only intended to keep
her waiting few minutes.
For a moment Mrs. Morton seemed
irrcsolute; then, having said few words
TO the head bearer, she cried aloud in
passionate burst of sobs: II will die
sooner than submit to such humiliation;"
and, followed by her servants. she rushed
away.
There was long wailing cry-a shrek
a heavy splash. Good Heavens! could
it be-could it be possible that his inn
petuous wife had thrown herself into the
well? Hank to those wild cries, as the
bearers run hither and thither with loud
EXPLANATIONS 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 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.
s.Then, where is she? What is all
this row aboutp Who has fallen in?
What are you all yelling for?"
s.For 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"
DIR. Morton knew himself outwitted,
| for doubtless his wife had taken sdvant-
age of the door she had thus succeeded in
opening. All. well. though vexed 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 o5stinately resisted all efforts to open
it; while a voice from the window
at which he had himself 20 lately
spoken said: I'VE 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 Mem 8
room. and Mem had the key under her
pillow. He stamped at first with anger,
but soon with cold, for his night pyja-
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
it round his broad shoulders with an
angry tug, settled himself to sleep.
The gun had hred, the assembly
sounded, but still the doctor slept on.
Nor was he reused by the sound Of
horses hoofs, as 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 a final round of the course.
assemble at the house Of one or other Of
their party to chota-hazzarie and lively
discussion of absent friends.
In much surprise they waited min
-. - ell
house; then, with significant Chances,
one after the other slid from her saddle,
determined to solve the mystery. All,
there lis! A little corner OF the CLOAK
worn the night before by Mrs. Morton
peeped out Of the closed doors of the
palanquin; twas evident that the pool
little thing had been obliged to seek thai
shelter. "What a shamer' They would
speak to her. they would comfort
her. and o, what . laugh they
would have against her! They
grouped themselves round the palanquin
bending low topper in; and one on either
side drew back the sliding doors as
gracious!-Dr. Morton, still half-asleep
slowly opened his eyes. Most effectually
was he wakened by the startled exclama
JfOu Will WHICH tlc ttSiCOIS udSdky 10
treated to their horses, which they wert
just in the act of mounting as the dool
was thrown open, and Mrs. Morton ap
peared in her riding-habit. They imme
diately rode away, to the infinite salts
faction of the recumbent but impatien,
doctor, who was in mortal fear that fresl
complications might arise through hi
unexplained absence from duty bringing
messages of inquiry.
i At the meeting Of husband and wifi
we would rather not play fly in the cor
ner, but take for granted that there wa
the usual amount of tears. recriminatioz
and Mysteries, in which--for this occasion
only-a torn and crumpled fabric of pinl
and silver took an active part; the sigh
Of it from time to time stimulating Mrs
Morton's grief and eloquence. while hel
husband who, smarting under the EXPOSE
Of the morning, had entered on the fray
with unusual spirit, soon found himse