Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-05-03
"A TALsSMAN."
BY HON. MRS. IF.
{ HAPPIER III.

strange, unspoken vague dlsqulet was
stretching wider; gathering strength
by imperceptible, slow, but fatally
sure increase.
A storm was coming up, darkening
the air, making it heavy with as yet
unbroken thunder-clouds: a storm.
discredited and scofied at by some, but
watched with heavy foreboding by the
wiser ones, who yet, in their deepest
dread, never fathomed the terrible
horror of that storm when it should
actually break over the devoted land,
1t was the year in which the Indian
mutiny broke out
Two English ladies were returning
from their morning ride, attended only
by native groom.
AS they approached a road guarded
by an English sentry, one of the ladies
halted, and said petulantly:
81 hate these circumscribed
limits, and don't believe
there is bit of danger. Such
absurd nonsense. These natives dare
not hurt us. am going for a good
gallop down here, Dorothy. Come
along. What-afraid?' turning her
scornful bright eyes towards her com
panion. Very well, then; Ill go
alone"
II am not afraid but | don't intend
to disobey rules" the younger girl re-
piled.
Nonsense, You know what Sir
Peter is-afraid of his own. shadow. l
never knew a greater coward. He is
wild with terror and anger because !
won't go back to England this month.
! am charmed with Indian life. and i
mean TO have "A little more of it. Peter
is such coward, that he invents ell
kinds of imaginary terrors.
Il don't think | should speak of my
husband in that way, Elvira," the
other interposed with a touch Of sad
ness in her voice.
''Well, as Sir Peter is not your hus-
band but mine-worse uck.-you'll
let me speak of him as | choose, per-
haps I'm off for a gallop down here. "
She turned her horses head into the
forbidden road, but the sentry, who
had stood unmoved while the brief
discussion lasted. interposed now,
placing his hand on the horses bride
IL was IA wonderfully well shaped
slender hand. though Drowned by the
sun Dorothy Beauchamp noticed, but
Lady Ruskin was too indignant to OBJ
serve anything. except the strength
which stayed her horses progress.
Pardon me, but you cannot go
down this road, madame" the soldier
said in respectful but very low accents
He did not look at her as he stood
there, and his shading helmet half-hid
his face.
Take your hand off my bridlem
Lady Ruskin said imperiously, waving
him aside. Il wish to go down the
road"
Her wishes had been the spoiled
beauty's law all her life. The soldier
half smiled at her words, but replied
quietly:
IF you bring a passport. madame,
you can pass, not otherwise.
''Such insolencem Her ladyship's
eyes flashed. do you know who |
am, pray?"
A culver passed over the part OF the
bronzed face which could be seen; il
might have been caused by amusement
and the attempt to conceal a smile.
Perfectly" was the laconic re-
spouse.
Then move out of my way instant
ly or | will report you"
ii obey orders he said, and calm
ly turned her horses head in the con-
trary direction.
Lady Ruskin was beside herself
with rage; leaning, she raised her
riding whip and brought il down with
all her force upon the bare hand hold
ing her bride.
The soldiers teeth clenched, as the
blow raised an instant veal across his
hand, but his steal-like grasp never
relaxed.
''Elvira, come along! What are
you doingP" her cousin uttered in
tones of deepest shame.
Teaching this impertinent man
civility," Elvira responded, her eyes
blazing with passion. -
Half beside hersel She raised her
whip again TO stfsAe, but Dorothy
sprang forward to interpose, and the
blow fell upon her horse. II plunged
forward wildly, then reared straight
up and in another instant would have
fallen backward upon its rider had not
the soldier with marvellous prompti-
tude and gigantic strength, left Lady
Ruskin's horses bride and seized that
OF her cousin.
He pulled the terrified animal down
again, and then with pats and low
voice soothed il.
Dorothy's face had grown very
white; she had seen and thoroughly
grasped'the extent OF the danger she
had but just escaped.