The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-05-26
DARLING OF THE TROOP.



Ercry ono loved Phyllis Rayne
From the age Of i've abe had been
quartcred with her father with the
regiment
'Our darling has grown into =
beauty observed the adjutant. checri-
", Is he rode past The group Of men
toward the object Of interest
"A letter for you." he said. 10 more
Official tones. dismounting beside the
GIRL The colonel would be glad Of an
answer tomorrow"
The adiutant rode reluctantly away
~ Phyl broke the seal Of tho missivc.
Afser reading the contents the girls
dark eyes were humid A CULVER of
disappointment parted her iipA
only that abe said beneath her
breath ''oniy my serviccsi And /
thought
what she thought was never uttered;
her father came 70 the door Of tho
bungalow.
Capt Lonsdale Il waiting inside 10
speak with you. Two given him my
word. dcarie. although II viii be like
drawing IN eye-tooth TO part with my
little girl"
As her father stepped outside Phyl
flashed an angry glance At the cap
tain.
"How dare your / forbade you 70
appeal TO my father"
Faint heart never won fair lady yet
dare anything for the chance Of win
ming you. Will have you. Phyl
Why do you hate me7.' the captain
continued. ENORMOUSLY Il lovc you /
am willing 70 make you my wife. al.
though you're not"
"A lady. she interpolated quietly.
A violin was lying on the table; the
girl took Il up with the bow, lingering
the instrument abscntly. Her mother
had been Of gentle birth; the insn lt his
words implied stang kcenly.
You are so beantifulr he cried.
moving nearer.
The refrain went on jerixily from the
violin; there was suggestion Of acorn
in her action
"Phyli Have you no pity7 Are ron
a. hard a. your face Is tender? Isl
there anyone else2" The captain laid
his hand on the arm moving the bow.
Is there. Phyl9
You arc hurting me. Capt Ions
dale
What soft little arm ii isgs he
said. drawing the loose blue sleeve
away from her wrist Sees the Inn
press Of my cruel fingers Poor little
arml'
He bent his head suddenly, pressing
his lips TO the delicate flesh Ashadow
fell across them as figure stood In
the open doorway. The girls voice 70
lievcd the silence By commonplace:
GOOD evening. colonel"
Capt Lonsdale made 4 hurried de-
parture. salutlng his superior officer,
who remained In the doorway.
May come in7"
Yes
Don't put that down can talk 70
you while you play"
The colonel leaned against the wall,
watching Phyl as she rested her chin
again on the violin.
II can.tlr she cried. with historical
little laugh Il think--I think you
make me nervoua
Never mind he said. gravely,
taking the instrument from her hands
II have heard Of your muaic Who
taught your
MY father. I'm proud Of dad.
The colonel smiled, the smile made
his stern, ugly face almost handsome
The colonel WINS widoiyer with ono
child. People said his marriage had
been failure.
You had INV lettar2st M aalSe.l ~
they moved ont under the veranda.
Yea
fare you willing7'
a moments hesitancy, in which the
colonel scanned the girls face eagerly.
Yes; ! viii SO with you. colonel
Thank you. Little Jack will be 80
{ glad There Is no woman In the can
Torment he takes 70 but ron. The
colonel was going TO the hills for the
hot monthA
II understand II viii be my arst
situation"
What do ron mean2a
You have asked me to 20 to Simla
IS companion or nurse 70 your child.
You have forgotten TO mention one
thing 1.-The sal ary."
The colonel bit his lipl Was she JolS-
tng9 Phyl was looking hxediy at the
flowers planted near the mango trees
Had she seriously misconstrued his let
ter wherein he had asked her 10 accom-
pany him with her fatheron their leave
OF absence for the sake Of little Jack2
DO You want = SALARY he asked,
blnnsiy.
ut Il usual. Is II notYi
II believe SO"
At that moment an ayah, leading I
child, came across the compound
n A few minutes later Phyl watched
the colonel. with little Jack clinging 70
his hand. cross the parade ground
Tho child's white frock became aspecl
IN the distance before sob broke from
the girls throat
x That night wager was made BY
Capt Lonsdale among few OF his
boon companions
~ swim two miles against stream
mp the Goomtee on the day Our Oar
ling marries any man but myself
"Doner' cried half . dozen voices
Standing outside his bungalow early
one morning, the colonel with Capt
Lonsdale, watched Phyl rompin9 with
his child She had lifted the Soy. on
% her shoulder. and. with arms MP
\ raised TO steady her tiny burden. ran
toward them
You viii be alone until tonight, .
he aAid Capt Lorsdaie has arranre.3