Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-03-27
DARLING OF THE TROOP.
How She Lost a Wager for Cap
 tain Lonsdale.

quartered with her father with the regiment ~~
 "'out darling has grown into beauty" observed the ad5utant, cheeri- ly, as he rode past the group of men toward the object of interest.
 "A letter for youI" he said; iu more official tones, dismounting beside the girl. "The colonel would be glad of an answer tomorrow"
 The adjutant rode reluctantly away as Phyl broke the seal of the missivc. After reading the contents the girls dark eyes were humid. A quiver of disappointment parted her lips.
 "Only that" she said beneath her breath. ''Only my services! And I thought" What she thought was never uttered; her father came to the door of the buhgalow
 Capt. LonSdale is waiting inside to speak with you. I've given him my word, dearie, although it will be like drawing an eye-tooth to part with my little girl"
 As her f1ther stepped outside Phyl flashed m angry glance at the cap tain.
 How daro you? i forbade you to appeal to my father.
 Faint heart never won fair lady vet. dare anything for the chance of win ming you. l will have you, PhyL
 'Why do you hate mcp' the captain continued, queruiously. "t love you. 1 am willing to make you my wife, al- though you're not"
 "A lady" she iuterpOlated quietly.
 violin was lying on the table; the girl took it up, with the bow, lingering the instrument absently. Her mother had been of gentle birth; the insult his words implied stung lleenly.
 You are so bea utiful!" he cried, moving nearef.
 The refrain went on jeriSily from the violin; there was suggestion of scorn in her action,
 "Phyl! Have you no pity? Are you as hard as your face is tender? Is there anyone clSc?" The captain laid his hand on the hrin moving the bow. ''Is there, Phyl?"
 "You are hurting nc, Capt. Lons- dale"
 "What a soft little arm it isl" he said, drawing the loose blue sleeve away from her wrist. "Sce; tho inn press of my cruel fingers. Poor little arm!"
 He bent his head suddenly, pressing his lips to the delicate flesh. AShadow fell across them as n figure stood in the open doorway. The girls voice re lieved the silence by commonplace:
 Good evening, colonel"
 Capt. Lonsdalc made a hurried de parturc, sahuting his superior officer, who remained in the doorway.
 May l come in?"
 Yes"
 Don't put that down. can talk to you while you play"
 The colonel leaned against the wall. watching Phyl as she rested her chin again on the violin.
 'I can't!" she cried, with hystcrical little laugh. II thinli-I think you mako mo nervc,,S."
 Never mind" he said, gravrly, taking the instrument from her hands '1 have heard of your music. Who taught you?"
 My father. I'm proud of dad" Tho colonel smiled; the smile made his stern, ugly face almost handsome.
 
 child. People said his marriage had been failure.
 You had my letter." he asked as they moved out under the ycranda. "Ycs"
 Are you williuG?' A moments hcsitancy, in which the colonel scanned the girls face eagerly. "Nes; l will go with you, colonel" "Thank you. Little Jack will Le su glad There is no woman in the can tonmcnt he takes to but you" The colonel was going to the hills for the hot months.
 "I understand. It will ho my first situation" What do you mcan?" You have asked mo to go to Simla as companion or nurse to your child. You have forgotten to mention one thing-thc salary" The colonel bit his lip. Was she iol. ing? Phyl was looking fxedly at the | flowers planted near the mango trees. | Had she seriously misconstrued his let. \ ter wherein he had asked her to accom- pany him with her father on their leave \ of absence for the sake of little Jack Do you want Salary?" he asked | bluntly.
 ''It is usual, is it not?'
 II believe so."
 At that moment an ayah, leading a child, came across the compound.
 A few minutes later Phyl watched the colonel, with little Jack clinging tc his hand, cross the parade ground The chlld's white frock became specl in the distance before sob broke from the girls throat.
 That night wager was made by Capt Lonsdale among n few of hi. boon companions.
 "Tll swim two miles against stream up the Goomtee on the day Our Oar ling marries any man but myself"
 "Done" cried half dozen voices.
 Standing outside his bungalow early one morning, the colonel, with Capt Lonsdale, watched Phyl romping witl his child She had lifted the boy cl to her shoulder, and, with arms up raised to steady her tiny burden, raI |