McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1884-06-05

at rest, lulled Dy the ripping OF the Sill
yer stream near at hand and the sing
ing of the birds over head. Such
place is Douglas Dale, a veritable gar
den of Eden, a second paradise.
The sun was beginning to set over
the purple hills to the north as Mrs.
Allison was gradually collecting the
remnants of her army, as they came in
two by two from their walks and talks
in this paradise on earth. Mrs. Alli-
son, more staid than the rest, had re-
manned behind in the Yeranda, dear Col.
Verriker so kindly remaining too, to
take care of her-so kind and thought
full of him! but it was not the first time
this gallant officer had performed this
gallant task. Mrs. Allison herself was
a grass widow of a somewhat doubtful
character, although, according to her
own ideas, prim and proper to de-
gree; still she had no real objection to
one of the male sex, other than her
lawful spouse, being tackled on to her
apron strings for the time being, though
the same arrangement with others was
scandalous in her eyes to degree.
The party had now all arrived and
were sitting in the far corner of the
veranda slipping tea and chatting pre-
vious to their start up the hill again for
Nynee Tai, when they were surprised
by the CHATTER of pony hoofs coming
over the bridge towards the house; and
a lady all alone, without even a syce
(groom), rode into the garden and
pulled up in front of the veranda. She
had evidently ridden rather fast, for
her pony was very hot and she very
much out of breath. Getting her foot
out of the stirrup she slid down off her
saddle by herself, and leading the pony
up to the door called the berrer.
Words fail to describe the astonlsh-
ment of the tea party at the other end
of the veranda when, by the light of
the newly lit lamp over the doorway,
they recognized the features of the
ssspotless and Innocent Mrs. Cleather.
Their excitement knew no bounds;
they dare not move for fear of being
seen, and thus spelling the tableau of
which they would doubtless be wit
nesses. It was only Mrs. Allison who
could not resist saying in rather audi
BILE whisper, "There 1 told you SO!
How much for the child's innocence
now, / should like to know? You may
be sure she's on no good errand down
here all alone at this time of the even
ing" --
However, Mrs. Cleather was much
too tired or excited with her ride to
notice anything, and the group under
the veranda were quite unseen by her.
Presently the landlord came to the
door.
"Did you get my note this after
noon?" .-'.-.-
sYes, ma am."
els all ready ?" -......-
(which is the room?''
eff you will kindly come this way I
will show you;" and he led her through
the door leading into small apart
ment at the other end of the veranda
generally known as the 'Bow-wow's
Cave
"Dear, dear me, I'd give my best
diamond ring to know what she's up
tot" says Mrs. Allison.
"Well, and feel rather curious on
the subject said a gallant major of
the Bengal staff corps sitting at her
side. Did you notice the pony she
rode? 1t was bay mare; l know it
by the black stocking on the near hind,
she ran in the last Gymkhana, and be-
longs to Captain Fem"
ssAh, doubtless; she always rides his
ponies-in fact, they are almost as much
hers as his.''
"Well," continued Mrs. Allison,
sCaptain Fenn's pony or no, don't
care, but I should like very much to
know what she is doing down here.'
"And perhaps, Mrs. Allison," said a
third party, s'this IS not the first time
she's been down here at this time.'
"Who knows?" said the colonel.
ssShe's as lovely as Venus, but you bet,
as cunning as serpent, and it's al
ways these quiet ones that are the first
to 60 wrong"
Their doubts on the subject were
soon, however, made clearer to them,
for while they were discussing the sub
ject another pony and rider arrived at
the cottage. This time it is man,
and, though enveloped in an overcoat
and with a large Teral hat on his head,
III Was easy W guess VIII IL was. NAolO
over, the syce and pony both tell the
tale, as it is the steed that Captain
Fem rides regularly along the Mall
every day.
The excitement of the lockers on
almost knew no bounds now, and is in.
creased when the aged landlord again
comes forth, and to the very audible
query of ''Is Mrs. Cleather in?" answers
| in the affirmative.
(which is the room she engaged?'
"The small room with the red pur
dab over the door," answers mine host
and retires once more to the inner re-
cesses of his house, evidently not wish
ing to be more in the way than posi-
BILE.
The gentleman turns round, orders
his syce to take the pony to the stable
walks steadily down to the little dool
at the other end, and lifting aside the
purdah says: care you there, --?'
calling Mrs. Cleather by her Christian
name; and sweet voice answers from