Passaic City record., 1892-06-04


pen to be waiting over the bosom of the
torrid Bay of Bengal.
The resort lay almost in our path; and,
tired and nearly overcome with the heat
of our long journey, the suggestion
to diyerge thither for some refresh
ment was welcomed by all and the line
of march was therefore diverted.
We had hardly entered the grove
when silvery feminine laugh greeted
our ears, coming from the direction of
the native house.
The major, beside whom was riding,
perceptibly started at the sound and
glanced at me. in turn looked in
quiringly at him.
"Don't you recognize the volcea" he
asked.
| ssNo; can't say I do," answered.
"Who is it2 Surely none of mine host
Singh's family have such sweet trlll. y.
~ should say not, decidedly" as
sented the major. tBut / must be
wrong, if you don't recognize i'll
thought it for all the world like Miss
Bradford's voice."
I could not help looking quickly and
keenly at the major; Miss Bradford was
my sister, and the major had certainly
| been very attentive to her during the
few months of their acquaintance. If he
could recognize her voice in an Indian
Jungle when her brother failed to do so,
there must be something serious on the
carpet.
I therefore had a peculiar interest in
the Developments of the next few mo-
ments.
ssIt is positively cruel of you'll" said
another and a petulant voice. ssYou
make no allowance for my extremely SEN
sitive organization. But simply cannot
90 back over that road-the mere
thought of it is killing! Harkl don't
you hear something creeping out from
the grover and there arose a shrill
scream which became hystcrical as it
seemed to diminish, as if the feminine
speaker had flown into the cottage.
She had doubtless heard US breaking
through the thicket; in an instant the
heed of our cavalcade came in full view
of the place, and there, sitting calmly
on seat before the door under the over
hanging boughs, and looking expectant-
ly but undismayed towards us was-my
sisterl
.sYou herei" exclaimed, really sur
prised. ssAnd Miss Blithedale, too; I
need not ask that" I said, glancing at
an open parasol of flaming cherry that
lay few feet away on the ground where
the fair and nervous owner had dropped
it in her fight.
That parasoll In defiance of all the
scientists from Ben. Franklyn down, Miss
Blithedale must needs import from the
west sunshade of the color which above
all others reflected least the rays of that
very orb. This she imperturhably car
RED, shining mark for derisive jokes,
OF, perhaps, as an incentive to well-born
subaltern bachelors in the arena of love,
she the matadore and they the quarry.
s'How penetrating you arep was my
sisters ironical reply. Major, you are
| lust in time. Miss Blithedale has just
declared that she will not return to town
| without the escort of the whole garrison
or of Major Gallanton, perhaps"
The major looked almost panied at
| this allusion to the dead set that Miss
Blithedale had been making at him to
every ones amusement.
"And SO, my sister continued briskly,
ssyou have had all your hunt for moth
ing! The royal quarry seems to know
something about flank movements and
strategy as well as your own gallant
selves"
ssReally, I don't understand, Miss
Bradford" said the puzzled soldier.
ssWhat is all this about escorts and flank
movementsl All, Miss Blithedale, " as
that lady appeared, apparently nerved
again to welcome encounter with the
major; ssthls is a most charming coinci-
dence. But, explain, please, Miss Brad
| ford"
Then my sister narrated as follows:
The two ladies in question, bored to
death at the absence of the only object
of interest-the men-had decided on
little expedition of their own. They
had hired one of the 'snative ''jaunting
cars" as we call them, with its zebu
team and native driver, and slowing a
luncheon hamper in the ssboot" had
driven out before the MONDAY heat for
the sspark."
Already in sight of the grove they had
been Mortified to see the sudden appear
ance of tiger, who stepped out from
the underground beside the road, dis
closing his superb proportions and brill
/! liant coloring as he first gazed curiously
Toward them and then lowered his head