Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1893-05-12

| Ahoy manu- hanlsone couple-my girl
and the captain. He'll have cause to be
proud of his wife, eh, colonelY"
his wifel Did you say his wife, Raynew
AYE, colonel. I've promised her to Cap
tain Lonsdale if he can win herr
"And-and Phylliss"
The captain Joined them, and the party
rode on.
Phyl stood at the door of the bungalow, a
cloud on her face
u hate himi l hate hint" she muttered
Toward midday the boy grew tired and
Irettul Phyl, carrying him to her own
bungalow, laid him on heap of rugs in
the corner Once little Jack started IN
with frightened cry, and to soothe him
abe sang an Indian lullaby, continuing the
weird tune upon her violin at the boys re-
quest.
| Suddenly some indefinable instinct caused
the girl to look over her shoulder, her hand
tightening on the violin.
Between her and the sleeping child was
large snake. He had uncoiled himself to
nearly his full length and risen upon his
tail with elevated head and glittering eyes,
1t was the dreaded cobra.
As Phyl gazed at the reptile conclusions
rapidly formed. The snake had been at
tracted by the music; it was evident by the
darling forward of the cruel forke ed tongue
that the fascination had ceased with the
music.
With an almost imperceptible movement
the girl drew her bow across the catgut.
In an instant palpable change came over
the cobra; his eyes rested upon her with
softened brightness. The charm that held
the snake at bay was in her handsl
/ Il
lence, the refrain sounding strangely weird
In It's repeated cadence. Once more the
reptile was spellbOund.
PhyIs back ached her fingers felt cramp-
ed; a feeling Of dizziness was overcoming
her. II the exhaustion supervened, the
charm would be broken. To rouse herself
Phyl rose to her feet, continuing the melody,
to which the snakes head was swaying
rhythmioaIly.
Snap
A string few asunder beneath the bow.
| The three strings now beneath Phyllis trem-
bling fingers yibrated weakly. The dis
! cordance Of their tones grated harshly up
on her ear.
With gasping sob she glanced at the
| open door and back again at the sleeping
child. The violin was slipping from her
swollen hand. With an effort born of utter
despair she broke into song as the sound
Of the falling instrument startled the cobra.
Gradually her eyes grew dim. Her head
sank lower and lower until it touched her
bosom. She became conscious that her
voice was only weakly grooming. There was
a rushing sound in her ears as of many
waters, and above it all rose a childish cry,
! clear and sweet:
Daddy Dadayp'
Then it became quite dark.
When few miles on the road that morn
ing the colonels horse had stumbled
slightly injuring its knees, and the rider
determined to return, not sorry for an ex-
cuse to forego the expedition. The trumpet
majors statement had filled him with fear
At the trumpet majors bungalow the
horse came to a sudden standstill, his ears
set back and quivering in every limb
| A voice singing gayly reached the colonel.
! The air seemed filed with its laughter. He
smiled sadly, then grimly. How happy she
vast While he
The song was coming TO an end. 1t grew
fainter and fainter. Dismounting he moved
nearer to the open door of the bungalow
and looked into the shadow of the room.
For one brief instant the colonel's eyes
seemed filled with vblood, and through the
crimson mist shone out his sons bright hair
and the white face Of Phyl
In the next his hand was upon his sword,
and a cry went up as the girl tottered for
ward and his weapon fell upon the cobra.
The colonel's arm dropped heavily to his
side as his sword changed to the ground, his
eyes distended with horror upon the sew
cred parts Of the snake
| At his feet was the PROSTATE form of
Phyl. In one swift glance he noted the
violin with its broken strings and the girls
stiffened hands. The whole truth flashed
upon him in an instant. With great sob
he raised her in his arms, kissing the still
face passionately.
"Daddyp'
The colonel reused himself. Little Jack
was standing beside him, his baby face full
] of awe
go away, Jack" he said hoarsely as
Phyllis white lids moved and breath es-
capped her lips.
The colonel carried her to the rugs in the
corner.
"PhyI1is! Phylr'
AS she met his eyes the terror slowly died
out of her own. A deep flush crept into her
face and faded.
"Phyl," he said again; look at me Phyll
Don't turn away. Oh, my love-" he cried,
my hearts lovel You are given back to
me. All my life shall be grateful; all my
life, dear"
The eyes of the woman were raised at
last.
II love youi love youi 1 love you"
"Who is that woman, Lonsdale, riding
with the colonel"
Don't you know All, you were ordered
! to another station before the dreadful news
reached Lucknow"
"What newsS"
"Ofthe colonel's unfortunate attachment
He married the daughter of our trumpet
major"
"What, Phyllis RayneF Phewp The
subaltern screwed up his eyes, glancing
sideways at Captain Lonsdale. as that
Phyl, little Phyl, the darling of the troop
/ remember her now You were sweet on