Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1892-12-08

McAlllster could make the running at
his own pace, but somehow he never
seemed to get any nearer the winning
post.
But the three months never passed,
for one fine day the colonel, with a
white face md broken bones, was
brought back in dhooly from the
parade ground (his horse had fallen),
and though the bones were soon mend.
ed, complications set in, and the doc
tors ordered him home -"internal In.
juries; never get right In this place;
voyage will give him strength" etc.
Then the POOR man told Lucy that she
really had better make up her mind
that he could i'll afford the expense OF
taking her to England, md reminded
her that she did not get on too easily
with her stcpmother, who was looking
after the boys And Lucy did make up
her mind. She wrote straight to George
that very afternoon, telling him every
thing.
81 hope it isn't very unmaidenly,
dear, but there is no time to stand upon
formalitics. II you still care for me, if
you think your position sufficiently
hopeful to justify marrying, come down
at once or write. But if'-hcrc tear
would fall on the paper-'you find that
for any reason it cannot be, then don't
answers 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 q definite answer in n 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
immediately rallied. s
How stupid 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 70 sign. ENI
! "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. 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 proba-
| blc."
But he had not forgotten all about
her, and for hours after receiving the
good ladys information he sat like one
in dream. Then he shook himself to-
gethcr, and in due course read the do
mcstic occurrence in the paper quite
calmly. The McAllistcrs and George
Farleigh never met, for he went into
tho political line, and went from one
native state to another without once
returning to his former presidency. But
he now and again heard Of them-how
they led an apparently happy life in q
quiet way, no particular love perhaps on
her part, but sincere attachment to her
husband. Aud presently McAllister re-
tired and settled in England
1t was just fourteen years since
George left his regiment He had got
on we'll, and was now resident at the
court Of an imbecile prince with an I'M
pronounceable name. 1t was q 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 a
long arm chair in the vcranda, The
bearer placed the lamp conveniently
and retired to dozc. The first letter
that caught his eye was from the post
master general and, wondering what
the exalted functionary could want with
him. he opened it before looking at the
English letters and newspapers. The
following is what it said:
''SIR: | have the honor to inform you
that an old man died lately at the vii
lagc of Srceporc, in the state of Achin-
abad, who was formerly tappal run
ner in that state, On his deathbed he
confessed 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 letters in box without opening
them. This box he buried, but after
some trouble 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 in
curry it has been asccrtained that it is
You who were at the time in Archina.
bad. ] 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 cat-likc
tread he crcpt to the vcranda. 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.
II 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 III
the least sleepy, SO for sheer lack Of
something to do he took up an English
paper that had just arrived, and, chanc'
ing to open it at the deaths, read
April Is, at 1o4 Grecnfair Gardens. Chelten
ham, John McAllister, Esq, late of the Indiar
civil service.
Indian papers please copy.
Next month George Farloigh started
for England on urgent private affairs
The Million.
| No Great Harm Done.