The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-06-07
THE GHOST OF "ouRs. L"

THE GHOST OF OURS"
 It was with unqualified satisfaction tha we of the Royal Manx received the new. of the return of our second battalion from India.
 It involved, as might happen in those days, our breaking up the depot at Bal. Iynoggin, Ireland, and joining them a, Marlborough not popular garrison town in the eyes of any but of those who like ourselves, had eaten the bread o exile for two long years in .'the mos, disthressful country that ever yet was seen."
 We entertained the one landed pro. prietor of the district at mess for the last time. and bade adieu, more or less ten. derly, to the two pretty sisters. inc beau ties of BAllynoggin, who had firted so gaily aud impartiaily through the whole set of us that even our false Saxon hearts felt that an offer was due to one of them at least from somebody, as bare return tor all the entertainment they had afford cd. And burden of obligation was re- moved when we heard that after all the youngest and prettiest of the family was to accompany us as the bride of our senior captain.
 Finally, one bright December morning we marched away with much pomp through the stagnant puddies of the main street of Ballynoggin, escorted by an en- thusiastic crowd of five, with one pair of brogues amongst them.
 We arrived at Marlborough a fex days before the regiment, took over the bar YarkS and ~l..~r d. L Of settling down. We achieved the feat m due time = everyone but the Smylies tthe Captain and his bride before-men tioned); but as, to the best of my belief, they are not settled down yet, that excep- ton need not be dwelt on
 They were the oldest couple. He was a solemn, slow, soft-spoken, elderly of- hccr; disappointed man victim of the neglec, of those in high quarters. and general ill-luck as regards promotion. How he came to propose 10 Miss Lavinia McCran, a long legged schoolgirl, still in pipafores, and generally known in the family as Peter," no one could ever guess. He did so, the young lady af- hrmed (to the no slight disgust of her two elder sisters), while seeing her home from church one wet Sunday, under his umbrella, and he hadn't nerve enough to contradict her even if it had not been the case.
 never knew whether he was the hap piest or most wretched of men ever after. He adored his Lally." and waited on her hand and foot, but her savings and doings caused him anguish acute enough to have shortened the life of another man.
 Mrs. Smylie's last" gave flavor to many a conversation, and the Smylie menage was the wonder and admiration of the regiment.
 There yet lives in my mind the inaugu- ration of the Smylies' quarters, when in the delight of her heart at getting the rooms she had set her fancy on, Mrs Smylie asked me and half dozen others to come and have tea with her. obeyed, hnding carpetless room with roaring fire, at which two young fellows were toasting crumpets on their sword points
 Tea was set out on Smylie's tub, in every variety of borrowed crockery, while pretty Mrs. Smylie, in a once brilliant caTbric, crushed and collarless, with her golden hair in towzled tail, laughed and joked and but:ered crumpets in total un- consciousness of anything singular in the arrangements.
 To us entered Smylie, polite and dis concerted.
 There's your tea, Smylie. dear," said his wife, :" but no crumpets. For your life!"
 Thanks" said Smylie, carrying off his cup to the only perch left him the end ot the big iron fender, in dangerous proximity to the steaming spout of a mighty black kettle, garnished with a twist of newspaper round the handle by way of holder. There he sat, solemnly imbibing, only murmuring gently, !" Lally, my dearest" in tone of meek expostu. lation when the fun grew very fas: and furious. Mrs. Smylie the while ratlled on, keeping us in roars of laughter, till in the middle of one anecdote she stop. ped short.
 Will you look at him! Smylie. Is it mad you are!"
 My dear! I'm all right, assure you" i" faltered he in bewilderment.
 Ateing crumpets, and after what Dr. OShane has told you! We'll, there, I've done! Ate and be sick.'
 But to my ghost.
 About a week or ten days after my arrival l was dining at mess and found myself between Smylie and one of the newcomers. l had a youngsser's natural curiosity on the subject of my brother officers, who were as yet merely names to me. This my neighbor vas . smart little man, mighty talker; the coever. sation running chiefly on the changes time had made in the regiment since he and Smylie parted in India some five years ago.
 What became of vandeleur ?" asked Captain Loxdale- ne came home when you did"
 don't knov, and never cared to in. quire,' replied Smyhe, shortly; 4 dead, beaieve.s
 He vas never the same a6ter-you re- member OEmsby's a6airf An! well could teal you some queer stories ofvhai happened ont in India. He vas Deveu the same naa a1esr. We heard he had