Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-05-10
"a TAL!SMAM."
BY HON. MRS. y. L..
CHAPTER ".

longer nameless and dreaded. but
tangible and surprising all the widest
fear of the most fearful, was turning
midas golden land into one scene of
bloodshed and cruelty, torture and
terror.
Too late now for escape or safety,
Lady Ruskin's wayward selfishness had
brouqht its terrible punishment upon
not only herself, but her husband and
cousin.
All escape was cut off from the little
town of b - by the hords Of natives
who were besieging it. Fire and
death, wounds and sickness, filed each
day with new distress, and the devoted
little band of English thus
shut up in their terrible
plight could only pray and
hope for the deliverance they surely
trusted would come. All, but when?
Each day might make it too late.
As gold is purified by fire, SO in n
time like this all that was good in hui
man nature came gradually out. Men
performed prOdigies of valor and en-
durance; women displayed wonderful
patience and courage.
Lady Ruskin had no good in her,
and in this scene of trial, for which
she had herself to thank, she was
perfect burden of selfish repining and
miserable alarm.
Dorothy Beauchamp became hero
inc. Quietly and unobtrusively, yet
with the unfaltering courage and
steadfastness only a grand nature can
show. she came TO the front and did an
heroine's Or an angels work. Nothing
came amiss TO hor-tending the sick,
succoring the wounded, and sympa-
thizing with the bereaved, encourage
ing the brave; tireless, patient, capa-
BILE, with no thought of self, and never
look Of fear or repining upon her
sweet face.
Dorothy Beauchamp never failed
nor gave in, and the toughest men
watched for her coming, and breathed
a silent prayer for her safety as she
passed in and out, very angel among
them.
Where are you going?' an abrupt
voice stopped Dorothya as she was cross
ing the barrack-yard.
She looked up, and faint tinge of
color came into the lovely white face
as she saw the man who had stopped
her-the handsome soldier whose face
she had never yet clearly seen.
Glad of an instant's rest the girl
leaned against the wall as she replied:
Il am going round to the outposts
as usual, just to give the men tidings
of their friends, and say a prayer for
those who like it, Each day / miss
some faces" her lips quivered.
''And will do" the man replied
briefly. The fire is heavy on the
north side to-day - terribly heavy.
You must not go, Miss Beauchamp."
She shook her head with faint sad
smile.
Il must co." she said family. THE
men look for my coming; l promised
them And Shares wife is dead, and
left him message. | must giveit to-
day or it may be too late. p"
lis your own life of no account?'
the soldier asked, half angrily-half
with a tenderness in his accents which
colored the girls face again. IL have
watched you day by day doing what no
man among Us could do. You are do
ing an angels work, but it will kill
yourself if it goes on thus"
81 am not afraid" she only said
soi,-. 1--WE can but do out utmost,
and trust to Higher Power for aid"
He looked at the exquisite, frail,
brave form, at the sweet grave face;
the soft dark hair was all cut off, and
clustered. damp with the terrible heat.
in silky little rings around the broad
brow, on which the blue veins showed
too clearly; the once pretty white
frock, now torn and sOiled with many
sad stains, hung loosely upon the girl
ish figure.
The little hands were roughened by
their unaccustomed toll, but the glori-
Gus eyes were more lovely than ever,
deep and serious, calm and sweet. Out
from them looked the brave woman's
soul within, and the soldier knew that
this weak young girl might die beneath
her sclf-imposed task-ah, the likeG-
hood OF that was all too apparent
but would never neglect one particle Of
st.
He turned aside for moment 10 hide
some emotion he did not wish her To
see; then he said quietly:
IF you will go, let me accompany
you. / may be some protection, and |
can spare the time just now.
He was taking it from the two lit lie
hours of seep which were all that
could be aliot cd 10 the over-worked
scanty garrison. But Dorothy did not
know that.
Side by side the soldier and the
maiden were crossing the yard, when
they ran against one of the officers,
Major Harvey, who looked excited and
flushed.
He just bowed to Dorothy, then
turned hastily TO her companion