Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1892-11-03

81 hope it isn't very unmaidenly, dear,
but there is no time to stand upon for
malities. If you still care for me-if
you think your position sufficiently hope
full 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; shall understand"
1t was three days post to Georges
station, and Lucy told her father she
would think over the matter and would
give him definite answer in week.
The sixth day came, and the poor girl
was trembling with excitement; the
seventh, and she could scarcely keep still
for moment. But the post came-and
no letter. AT first 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
UneTe 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 lady's information he sat like one
in dream. Then he shook himself to-
gether, and in due course read the do
mestic 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
quiet way, no particular love perhaps
on her part, but sincere attachment to
her husband. And presently McAllister
retired and settled in England.
1t 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. 1t 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 long armchair in the ve-
randa. The bearer placed the lamp con-
Venlently 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:
SIR have the honor to inform YOU
that an old man died lately at the vii
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, but that he
then became frightened and hid the let
ters in box without opening them.
This box he buried, but after some trou-
BILE 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.
1t was not till the gray dawn made
the lamplight pale that George reused
himself from a 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 CHANGING to
open it at the deaths read:
april 10, at 104 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.