Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1883-04-11

likely; but in the event Of anything so
improbable, she had still her palanquin,
in which she could rest till gun-fire,
when, Of course, the house would be
opened.
am told that nowadays palanquins
are in as little request in India as Sc
dan chairs in England; but in DR.. and
Mrs. Morton's time-for know, O read
er, that my story is founded on fact
they were, except in the evening drive,
the most general mode Of carriage. In
the veranda of every house one or
more might always be seen, with their
bearers at hand, ready for instant SER
vice 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
her home. Placing the palanquin in
the veranda, they called loudly for
admission, striking the door with their
hands, in no small wonder that it had
not, as usual, been thrown wide at
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 ad-
ded that Of their mistress's; indignant
ly, entreatingly, coaxingly she called
in turn. She reminded her husband
that their veranda was overlooked
from the road "Let me in, beg, en-
treat Of you, William. 1t will be gun
fire in a couple of hours, and if seen
here I shall be the laughing-stock Of
the whole station. 0 William, dear,
do let me in"'
10 which her husband answered
sternly, eve shall not rest under the
same roof this night" andhe chuckled
to himself, for he only intended to keep
her waiting a few minutes.
For moment Mrs. Morton seemed
irresolute; then having said a few
words to the head bearer, she cried
aloud in a passionate burst Of sobs, 81
will sooner die than submit to such hu-
miliation;" and, followed by her SER
wants, she rushed away.
There was long wailing cry--a
shriek--a heavy splash. Good heavens.
could it be-could it be possible that
his impetuous wife had thrown her
self into the well? 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 himself into the
still ripping water, in mad attempt
at rescue, 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, 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
DR.. Morton knew himself outwitted,
for doubtless his wife had taken ad-
vantage of the door she had thus sue
ceeded in opening. Ah, 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 peacefulrest.
He dismissed the bearers, and returned
to the house, but to find it shut the
docs was closed, and obstinately re-
sisted all efforts to open it; while
voice from the window from which he
had himself so lately spoken, said,
ave shall not sleep under the same
roof this night" The doctor, with an
uneasy laugh, first treated the situation
as a 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 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 deli
cate 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 gun had fired, the ASSEMBLY"
sounded, but still the doctor slept on.
Nor was he reused by the sound of
horses hoofs, as bevy of ladies, I'M
escorted except by servants, rode up
to the door. They would be joined in
their ride by their husbands after par
ade; and then, after u final round of
the course, assemble at the house of
one other of their party to chota-haz-
zarie and lively discussion of absent
friends.
In much surprise they waited min
ute or so before. the closed and silent
house; then, with significant glances,