Arizona republican., 1892-11-19

"l hope it isn't very unmaldenly, dear, but there is no time to stand upon for malities. If you still care for me-if you think your position sufficiently hope ful to justify marrying, come down at once or write. But if''-here tear would fall on the paper-''you find that for any reason it cannot be, then don't answer; l shall understand"
 It was three days post to Georges station, and Lucy told her father she would think over the matter and would give him a definite answer in a week. The sixth day came, and the poor girl was trembling with excitement; the seventh, and she could scarcely keep still for a moment. But the post came-and no letter. At first a feeling of numbing despair seized on her, but she immedi- ately rallied.
 "How stupid l am! There may not have been time to catch the mail, or George may have been out shooting"
 So to make sure, and leave enough margin, she begged her father for three days grace, for she never doubted George. But the three days passed, and there was no sign.
 Lucy was married to McAllister fort night afterward.
 "A very short engagement, my dear" :" said the majors wife to her bosom friend, but you see the poor dear colonel must be off at once; can't wait any longer, the doctors say, and it is everything to have Lucy settled before he goes. l wrote and told George Far leigh it was coming off-an awful blow for him, poor fellow, unless he has for gotten all about her, which is probable. |"
 But he had not forgotten all about her, and four hours after receiving the good ladys information he sat like one in dream. Then he shook himself to- gether, and in due course read the do- nestle occurrence in the paper quite calmly. The McAllisters and George Farleigh never met, for he went into the political line, and went from one native state to another without once re- turning to his former presidency. But he now and again heard of them-how they led an apparently happy life in a quiet way, no particular love perhaps on her part, but a sincere attachment to her husband. And presently McAllister retired and settled in England.
 It was just fourteen years since George left his regiment. He had got on well, and was now resident at the court of an imbecile prince with an unpronounce- able name. It was hot night, and his solitary dinner was scarcely over when the days post came in-the English mail with it-so he lighted cigar and left the table for iong armchair in the ve- randa. The bearer placed the lamp con- veniently and retired to doze The first letter that caught his eye was from the postmaster general, and wondering what that exalted functionary could want with him he opened it before looking at the English letters and. newspapers. The following is what he said:
 SRI have the honor to inform you that an old man died lately at the vil- lage of SCreepore, in the state of Achin- abad, who was formerly tappal runner in that state. On his deathbed he con fessed to having stolen one of the letter bags many years ago, under the belief that there was money in it, out that he then became frightened and hid the let ters in a box without opening them. This box he buried, but after some trou- ble it has been found, and the contents are now being distributed as far as the addresses can be traced. The inclosed is apparently for you, as on inquiry it has been ascertained that it was you who were at the time in Achinabad have the honor, etc."
 George knew the writing on the in closure at once; it was Lucy's. The faithful bearer wondered why the sahib was so long in coming to bed; also he did not seem to be reading, for there was no rustic of paper, so with catlike tread he crept to the veranda. The sahib was lying back in the chair with his hand over his face. Three and four times the man returned, and always to find his master in the same position.
 It was not till the gray dawn made the lamplight pale that George reused himself from long dream of what might have been and of what had been, and even then he did not feel in the least sleepy, so for sheer lack of some thing to do he took up an English paper that had just arrived, and chancing to open it at the deaths read:
 April 1j, at l04 Greenfair gardens, Cheltenham, John McAllister, Esq, late of the Indian civil service. Indian pa- pers please copy"
 Next month George Fairleigh started for England on urgent private affairs Million.
 Great Men and Some Queer Repugnances.