San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-07-31

hCdNhy W BEOuuu WIFI bLuu IL
a moment every English officer was off his
horse, and a knot of blanched and Mortified
watchers waited while the doctor cut oper
the victims uniform.
Close by horrible scuff1e was taking
place Amid yells and oaths, and after
many wound more or less severe, Shall
Ibrahim was finally overpowered. In his
frenzied blood-shot eyes there was CLEAN
of fury as he was dragged away, for he had
been baffled. His work had been hindered
he had been permitted to shoot lone dog
only instead of two" .H.'"
There is a peculiar dismalness in the sur
roundings Of a sick bed from nightfall till
dawn in India. There is the long night, tht
leaden-footed hours of which are marked
by the slow mournful wall Of the distant
watchman-"Al1's wellw-the occasional
buzz and craclkle Of q flying beetle that ha
dashed into the flame Of the nightlight, the
dismal inquiring howl of horde of iackal.
as they sniff about with their "Where-
where-where-w h-e-e-e-r-el"-th sudder
chill of the hour before dawn, when rats
run riot and wild-cocks crow. A foul DAM
air spreads among the trees, and from the
earth chill vapor rises. From out Of il
come things innumerable, with faint eerie
rustles and tappings as they creep-scorpi-
ons and reptiles which feel the sudden cold
and seek to insinuate their bodies into cosy
hooks, beneath carpets and pillows, or with,
in sponges and boots.
The Colonels face was ashen gray as he
sat by the bedside of the wounded officer
his lips were set, his eyes hollow with de
spair. About his heart there was a deadly
pain. The doctor had said that Jim Blake's
hours were numbered.
Twill he live to see and recognize his
wife," the Colonel asked more than once.
The evasive answers cut him to the
heart, and the poor rugged old face grew
grayer.
The Colonel's bungalow being close to the
parade ground, the wounded man had been
conveyed thither; and so, after all, it was
fated that Nelly should come there, and moi
to the little nest that loving hands had pre-
pared for her.
After little time there was change.
IF only his wife would GOMEZ" sighed the
doctor "He frets for her. If only she
could be here in time!"
At last she came-came as he had wished
when the sun was setting, gliding, as she
passed, the background Of palms, and cast
ing long mysterious shadows and gorgeous
lights round about the old well, the cool
green plantains, and the tiny square bunga
low. And, as she jolted by, she knew not
that all the little scene was planned for her
and. even had she known, she could moi
have looked at it for the tears that dimmed
her eyes.
At his own gate the Colonel met her, but
he could find no words of greeting for heI
who was to have been so royalty welcomed
His had been the kindly forethought which
arranged that the terrible news should be
gently broken to her on landing at Bombay.
and in such manner that despair should moi
travel with her through all the long Jour
ney up country. And now, when he met
her at his gate, he could only lower his gray
head over her small cold hands and whisper
hoarsely that there was still hope-for there
was life.
Then Nelly knew what need there had
been for her to hasten her coming. Kneel-
ing by the bed where her husband lay white
and still, but breathing yet, she thanked
Heaven for having guided and quickened
her footsteps.
Till close upon dawn she watched beside
the still form. She was past thinking,
but her weary mind was filed with the
comforting knowledge that jim was still
alive.
AS the dawn broke she fancied she fLf
the cold wings of the recruiting angel.
With wide startled eyes she gazed at her
husband, and saw that there was change.
Then she cried aloud, with great sob:
''Oh, Heaven, let him speak to me-only
once!"
At that moment Jim opened his tired eyes
and saw her.
Her hands grasped his tightly. Would he
say goodbye They were alone together in
the gray dawn, with the morning star look
ing in. Would it all end like thisl
MY darling, you have come in time!" he
said, in labored whisper.
When the doctor entered few minutes
later, Nelly was told that the Angel OF
Death had indeed been with her, but not tc
stay. He had passed on and claimed the
Colonel who died quite peacefully.
The old man was found dead in the chair
where he sat watching through the long
night outside Jim's door-"Within call" he
said
IN