The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1884-07-17
WHO WIAS9

| ed the ears of the inhabitants OF the old
world in such an exaggerated way Is to
make believe that the streets were paved
with gold.
In the year 1857 Delhi, though shorn
of its arcient splendor, was still place
to talk and dream of.
The bazars were filled with rare and
costly merchandise, and streets of the
capital contained nothing but jewelry,
which was largely exported to Europe
and America.
But in q single night all this was
changed, and instead of the hum OF
toiling thousands there came the brazen
notes of the war-trumpet, the boom Of
cannon. the rattle of musketry, and the
steely flash of naked sabers.
British valor was once more called
upon to defend the honor of Old Eng
land against nation in revolt-a
handful, so to speak, of devoted men
were pitted against sepoys. out
numbering them hundred to one or
more.
Two officers were seated in q tent
enjoying a weed and cup of fragrant
coffee after the toll of the day, on
which hard battle had been fought
against the enemy, victory declaring
for the side of the British.
"This is change with vengeance,
remarked Captain Vandeleur, gallant
soldier in crack cavalry regiment.
"a fortnight ago we were dancing at
General Coghlan's party, with his sweet
granddaughter, Cicely, as an engaging
partner; now we caper to different mu-
sic, with no lady friends to smile en-
enlargement upon us"
"Quite right, old fellow" laughed
Cyril Benthorpe, surgeon in the corps,
ever used lance to relieve suffering hu-
mainly. I'm afraid we were both hard
hit in that quarter-an affection of the
heart, which, perhaps, a rebel bullet
will cure one of these days."
"It's soldiers lot if it does,'' said
Vandeleur lightly. 81 had no idea,
though, Benthrope, that you were in the
lists against me; but we needn't be less
friends for that, need we, old man?"
"Certainly not" said his friend, whose
face assumed a more serious air as he
added: "By the way, I wonder why we
have received no news from the old gen.
eral. I hope the rebels give him no
trouble"
"By Jove! I never thought of that.
But here comes Major Pringle, looking
like another Bombastes Furioso, full of
news"
"Hallo, you fellows!" said the major,
"do you know that some friends of yours
are in great peril? I refer to the Cogh-
lans; but before say more just give me
some brandy pawnee ; the accursed rebels
kick up such dust that I'm we'll nigh
choked."
Vandeleur helped the somewhat bib
ulous major to the stimulant, while ex-
changing serious glances with Ben
thorpe.
"We're sorry to hear that, Pringle,
remarked Benthorpe; show did the news
reach our Campo"
"A fellow brought few lines from
the general, rolled up and hidden in lis
ear. A squadron of our corps is to
start tonight to relieve the beleagured
little garrison, if possible and to bring
it's members in," said Pringle, holding
out his glass to be refilled.
II should like to co." remarked Van
deleur, as he poured out a bumper for
his chief, with view of propitiating him.
$50 should l." put in Benthorpe,
eagerly.
"What, two of you badly hit in that
direction?" laughed Pringle. Well,
we'll, I'm no lady's man myself and so
won't enter into rivalry with you fell
lows. I have already detailed you both
in orders for the smart little affair. The
trumpet will sound boot and saddle at
nine. We shall have moon to guide
us, thank goodness!"
When the major left, which he did in
q hurry, after his last glass of brandy
pawnee, the friends sat on in silence for
some minutes, evidently deeply con-
cerned about the fate Of Cicely Cogh-
Ian, a lovely brunette, with laughing
black eyes and hair as dark as a ravens
wing-just such girl as to conquer a
whole regiment of impressionable Off
cers-the very beau ideal of soldiers
wife-gay, impulsive, yet full of woman
ly tenderness and gentleness.
"See here, Benthrope," said Vande-
leur, who was the first to break the 81
lence that had come upon both, II love
Cicely, so do you; let us decide who
shall have her." &
"How? in what way?"
"We are both going to the relief of
the place-the man who reaches her
side first shall win her hand-that is,
provided she is willing; the other fell
low must retire gracefully"
Benthorpe pondered over the pro-
posal for q few minutes, and then plac-
ing his hand in Vandeleur's, said with
all a soldiers frankness:
"Done with you, old fellow, it's a
bargain. If you win, I'll congratulate
you; if I, I shall expect the same treat
ment at your hands"
Anything more homogeneous than thus
stalking love on the issue of q dangerous
expedition could not he imagined.
Love, indeed! when bullets not many
hundreds of yards from where the pair
lat were flying about like hail, seeking
a billet in the corporal frame of some
unlucky wight who was unfortunate
enough to get in their way.
Round shot from lorg eighteen
Founders and shells from howitzers
were bowling about as if the vast
| madam, or sandy plain, were veritable
skittle-alley where Titans were anus
| ing themselves at a favorite pastime,
knocking over human beings in lieu OF
] nine-pins.
[ But love is stronger than death
which can not quell its life, for while
the black angel itself dies when the last
great trump shall awaken the dead
both small and great, love lives on for.
ever, sailing over jasper seas to the
music of angels voices.
The moon had just shown itself over
: tope of mango trees when the cavalry
started on their errand of mercy, te
rescue woman and children from death