The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-04-11
DARLING Oh THE TROOP.
How she Lost a wavor nor Cap
tain Isonsdale.

She was the daughter Of the trumpet
major and the dazzling OF the troop.
Every ono loved Phyllis Raync.
From tho ago Of five she had been
qunrtcred with her father with the
regiment
Our darling has grown into q
beauty" observed the adlntank cheers
", as he rodc past the group Of men
toward the object Of interest
"A letter for yon." he said, In moro
Official tones, dismounting beside the
/ girl. THE colonel would be glad OF an
answer tomorrow"
The adiutnnt rode reluctantly away
as Phyi broke the seal Of the missiso.
After reading the contents the girls
dark eyes were humid qnivcr If
disappointment parted her lips.
vonly that, she said beneath her
breath. Only my scrviecsi And
thought
What she thought was never uttered;
her father came 70 the door 81 the
bungalow.
Capt Lonsdale is waiting inside to
speak with you. Eve given him my
word, dearie, although it win be like
drawing m eye-tooth 10 part with my
little girl
As her father stepped outside phyi
flashed an angry glance at the cap
tain.
''How dare you2 forbade you to
appeal to my father. !"
Faint heart never won fair lady yet
dare anything for the chance Of win.
ming you. viii have yon, rhyl
"Why do you hate mc2e the captain
continued, ENORMOUSLY. II love you. i
am willing 10 make you my wife. nj
though you're not
A Lady, she interpolated quietly.
A violin was lying on the table; the
| girl took It up, with the bow, lingering
the instrument abscntly, Her mother.
had been 81 gentle birth; tho insult his
words implied stung lsecnly.
.You are so beantifulp' he cried,
moving nearer.
The refrain went on jerlSily from the
violin; there was suggestion OF scorn
In her action.
.'Phyll Have you no pity2 Are you
as hard MS your face is tender2 Is
there anyone elsc?' The captain laid
his hand on the arm moving the bow
rs there. Phyl2''
s'You are hurting nc. Capt Ions
dale.
What soft little arm IL islr he
said, drawing the loose blue sleeve
away from her wrist. See; the inn
press Of my cruel angsra Poor little
armi
He bent his head suddenly, pressing
fell across them as q figure stood in
the open doorway. The girls voice 70.
lieved the silence BY commonplace:
Good evening, colonel"
Capt Lonsdale made hurried do
parture, saluting his superior officer.
who remained in the doorway.
May come imp
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.
II can'tps she cried, with a hysterical
little laugh. II Think think you
make me nervous.
Never mind. he said, gravely,
taking the instrument from her hands.
81 have heard of your music. Who
taught yon?'
my father. I'm proud of dad. .
The colonel smiled; the smile made
his stern, ugly face almost handsome.
The colonel was widower with one
child. People said his marriage had
been a failure.
''You had, my letter?n he asked as
they moved out under the veranda.
Yes.
Are You willing?"
A moments hesitancy, in which the
colonel scanned the girls face eagerly.
Yes; ! will go with you, colonel "
Thank you. Little Jack will be SO
glad. There is no woman in the cam
Torment lie takes to but you. The
colonel was going to the hills for the
hot months.
u understand. It will be my first
situation
what do you mean2'
You have asked me to 90 to Sinla
as companion or nurse to your child.
You have forgotten to mention ono
thing 1.-THE salary"
The colonel bit his lip. Was she jok-
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 fatheron their leave
OF absence for the sake of little Jack?
''Do you want salary2' he asked,
bluntly.
1T Is usual, is It not2'
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 to
his hand, cross the parade ground.
The child's white frock became speclx
ia the distance before sob broke from
the girls throat
That night wager was made by
Capt Lonsdale among few Of his
boon companions
'I'llswin1 two miles against stream
up the Goomtee on the day Uur Dar-
ling marries any man but myself"
"Donet'' cried half dozen voices.
Standing outside his bungalow early
one morning, the colonel with Capt
Lonsdale. watched Phyl romping with
his child. She had lifted the boy on
~ har ehottIdar and fxvffh arms mn.