Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-05-24

nigh exposed plain in the night It got
quite cool. gave her one ofmy blankets
bought at Madras to wrap up IN. We
played casino and drank from my bottle OF
three-star brandy. felt pretty good, but
It didn't seem to phase her. / also tired to
NIL her up with American stories to her
great delight. We were ten hours making
that last stretch of 120 miles. Arriving In
Secunderbad went to my friend Lyle's
bungalow and found everything all right.
L told Lyle about my adventure on the
train and he laughed considerably.
Met with Backset.
"In day or two resolved to call on my
late travelling companion as q gentleman
might do in America Of course, it was by
her invitation given at parting. bor-
rowed Lyle's ponies and phaeton, and took
two or three Afghan footmen along to run
ahead and clear the way and drove out in
great style. Alighting in Captain Kelley
courtyard, boldly knocked at the door.
l was met in the reception room by. Sc
we're looking lady, who announced herself
as Mrs. Captain Kelley. She appeared to
be greatly shocked at my coming, which she
strongly intimated was an impertinence. 1t
was not in accordance with the rules gov
ernlng English society in India.
"Perhaps wouldn't have cared about
this ordinarily, but her manner was very
aggrayating. told her at once the basis OF
my acquaintance, when she declared it was
simply piece Of American impudence to
make the acquaintance of any lady in that
way She raised her voice loud enough to
scare the Afghans in the courtyard and two
OF them ran away without their pay.
A Glimpse That Gave Him Courage.
cat the same time L caught sight of a
half laughing, half fearful face of my
young lady through stealthily opened
door. She was listening. Being morally
certain of her sympathy, at least, l put
on a bold front and told Mrs. Captain
Kelley that was an American gentleman,
and it was lucky for her she was only an
English woman.
"Leave the house, sirp she cried You
will have to meet my husband
Certainly, madam, said I, retiring as
gracefully as possible, there's my address
Send him along shall be glad to meet
him. Good dayp
"When 1 told my friend Lyle that after
noon thought he would die laughing He
said that little Kelley was probably within
and declared that he was as afraid as death
of her.
IT was sitting out in front of the bunga-
low smoking that evening when young
fellow in smart red coat came along and
spoke to me, asking if my name was Davis.
told him it was. Then he inquired If I
had any apology to send to Mrs. Captain
Kelley. I said l hadn't.
Began to Look Like Blood.
'sHe then wished further to ask if I had
discreet friend could refer him to in
such delicate matter. It occurred to me
all at once that this bullying English crowd
wanted to kill me-that this was In the way
of challenge. I had not only never fig
ured in an affair of this kind, but never
knew any man who had. 1 didn't want to
fight, ! softly admitted to myself Fight
ing spoils the skin. 1 never shot pistol
in my life. I couldn't hit the side of a
barn at fair range. If got killed nobody
would sympathize with me, for nobody
would ever get the truth at home. If
killed British officer I'd probably get
shot by file of soldiers or get life SEN
tence. The outlook was very gloomy. But
while thus thought it over, it was but a
few seconds before calmly referred the
young man to Major Lyle (who was q
Southerner and knew all about such mat
ters), as if I'd been fighting all my life.
Kelley wants to fight at daylight said
Lyle, eying me little humorously little
later
"tAn right. Let her CO., said I, conceal
ing my rather tunnultuous feelings. No
man can tell what I'm thinking by looking
at my face. Great thing at the poker table.
Lyle Was Going It Strong.
"T told him SO, replied Lyle. ALSO,
that we'd take pistols. I have splendid
pair of hair triggers. Also, casually men
toned that you were typical American
his uniform without breaking the cloth.
Also, that you had been insulted and would
shoot him on sight in the American style if
he didn't give you satisfaction
"'The devil you did? This was going it
rather Highland without consulting me.
But said no more for some time.
"'Do you think he'll Gomez
"'Come! OF course, he'll come-with an
Nor My muscles began to relax.
"'Yes he will. I'll go you the wine on
it. He never fights. It's the old woman.
But you'd better get ready to pull out be-
fore the matter gets out among the other
officers of the garrison. They'll make it
unpleasant for you in some way
Got Out All Right.
''The Major was right as to Captain Kel-
ley For the young subaltern called within
an hour with polite note from Mrs. Cap
tain Kelley saying that upon consultation
with her niece she was satisfied that she
was too hasty and that she very much re-
GREETED having given offense to gentleman
who had so kindly befriended the aforesaid
young lady en- route.
81 replied courteously and begged her
not to mention it. never was so glad
to find big round hole through which to
get out of scrape as was on that oc-
casion. leave travelling women alone,
too, since my experience in India.
TN ARIFS TuEOD0PE MIrPpAu