The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-01


there" Then she went away, leaving me
thinking over her last worls. A note from
her--about what? An excitement which
could not analyze was gathering In my
breast. But she was gone, and could
not ask her meaning. Gone, too, re-
sently thought, with sensation OF shame
and self-reproach, without carrying from me
one word OF thanks to that gentle Hindu
girl who had been SO kind and attentive
nurse TO me. Surely the ayah must think
her patient ungratcful and unfeeling, little
as natives look for thanks at the hands Of
the superior race for nyservices rendered.
But resolved that she should have such
bangles as would convince her was nei-
Their forgetfnl nor ungrateful This may
seem small matter to the reader; ii was
no small matter to me, o. would not
dwell upon il.
II was not until we were in the railway
carriage speeding along through the deli
cious air OF Kent, that opened the note
that had been unfaiingly awaiting me-
Hard pressed as was on each side by the
loving carcsses Of mother and Agnes,
had for the moment TO forget their pres
ence in mystfcation OF Lady O'Reilleys
brief message. II was written from Plym-
outh Immediately after landing, and this
is what il contained:
81 and ayah are Just starting for London
Had you forgotten her when parting from
me? | hope at least you will not forget
the bangles, for the poor thing will contin-
ually expect them-and has earned them
more than you know Of. | shall como to
Chisclhurst to see you in week from to-
day, as / am OF the opinion that you will
by that time be strong enough TO endure q
shock without its killing YOU. | am sorry
TO be the agent OF q business OF this dam
gerous kind, but cannot shirk IL. Give
my love, please, TO your mother and sis.
ter"
II was OF no avail 10 speculate on the
hidden significance OF this strange letter.
gave il up at last, though the words were
constantly present to me. Only two points
stood out clearly-the ayah must not be
forgotten, and the news Lady O'Reilly was
bringing to me was good news. What else
could il be? Only my ignorance OF il kept
me in nervous state OF expectancy.
When told them at home Of my illness
on the voyage, Agnes went to London her
self and brought back the bangles.
would give them TO Lady O'Reilly when
she came, and then the ayah would no
longer think OF me as unmindiul OF her
services. Even the near prospect OF dis
charging some portion of a debt OF this
| nature is comforting. There was an arbor
in the garden OF my mothers house which,
~ soon rs | discovered Il, became my IA
vorite nook. The weather was delightful,
and the sweet air OF the sweetest spot in
England was draught Of delicious intox.
ication. Here lounged most of the day,
reading. smoking, doing nothing. by turns.
| until the gloomy events out in India be.
gan to seem to my memory like dream
Tho scenes around were 80 different from
those with which my great grief was asso-
cated, that | could not avoid soitening
under their benign influence.
Lady O'Reilly came day earlier than |
expected, and quietly surprised me in my
retreat. She WIS alone; and the radiance
Of her lovely face | had never before
thought 10 bright.
"You do not look like the agent Of a
dangerous business" / exclaimed, refer
ring TO the language Of her letter as
sprang TO my feet and took her hand.
"Ah, Lady 0'Reilly, you are welcome
welcome, welcome. Tor your own sake.
But please sit down and tcil me what II Is I"
81 have had news from Jullabad," she
answered, smiling--'a letter from my hus.
band. II came overland, and received it
on board ut Plymouth, which was partly
Why disembarked there"
News-news from Jullabadl How my
heart beat! could not have uttered a
word 10 save my lie.
"Thc mystery has been cleared up. The
innocence in which your faith and mine
were never for moment shaken has been