The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-06-03
DARLING OF THE TROOP.
How she Lost Wager for Gap
tain Lonsdaio

regiment
our darling has grown into 3
beauty" observed the adjutant, cheeri-
", as he rode past the group Of men
toward the object 81 interest
"A letter for you" he said. In more
Official tones, dismountinF beside the
girl The colonel would be glad Of an
answer tomorrow
The adjutant rode reluctantly away
as Phyl broke the seal Of the missive.
After reading the contents the girls
dark eyes were humid a qaiyer q
disappointment parted her lips
.'OnIy that she snid beneath her
breath. Only my services And !
thought
What she thought was never uttered
her father came to the door of the
bungalow.
Capt Lonsdale Is waiting inside 70
speak with you. I've given him my
word, dearie, although II will be like
drawing an eye-tooth 70 part with my
little girl"
AS her father stepped outside Phyl
flashed an angry glance at the cap
tain.
'Iiow dare you? forbade yoa 70
appeal to my father 4
Paint heart never won fair lady yet
/ dare anything for the chance 81 win.
ming you. ! will have you. PhyL
why do you hate me2s the captain
continued, ENORMOUSLY. II love you /
am willing 70 make you my wife, al
though you're not =
"A lady" she interpolatcd quietly.
A violin was lying on the table; tho
girl took IL up. with the bow, lingering
the instrument nbsently. Her mother
had been Of gentle birth; the insult his
words implied stung keenly.
You are so beautifulP' he cried,
moving nearer
Tho refrain went on jerikily from the
violin; there was a suggestion Of scorn
In her action
"Phyii Have you no pity? Are you
as hard as your face is tender? Is
there anyone else2' The captain laid
his hand on the arm moving the bow,
SIS there Phyl2'
You are hurting me, Capt Ions
dale"
What soft little arm II ISL he
said. drawing the loose blue sleeve
away from her wrist Sec tho inn
press Of my cruel fingers Poor little
{ ARM
He bent his head suddenly, pressing
his lips TO the delicate Aesh. Ashadow
fell across them as figure stood in
the open doorway. The girls voice 70.
leyed the silence By a commonplace:
Good evening colonel
Capt Lonsdaie made hurried dc.
parture, saluting his superior officer,
who remained in the doorway.
May come imp.
yes
Don't put that down. can talk tc
you whileyou play.
The colonial leaned against the wall,
watching Phyl as she rested her chin
again on the violin
II can'tl" she cried. with hysterical
little laugh. II think-I think YOU
make me nervous.
Never mind.n he said. gravely
taking the instrument from her hands
Il have heard Of your music Whe
taught you2e
My father. I'm proud Of dad
The colonel smiled; the smile made
his stern, ugly face almost handsome.
The colonel was widowed Aith one
child. People said his marriage had
been failure.
you had my letter." he asked as
they moved ont under the veranda
Yes"
Are you willing2''
A moments hesitancy, in watch thu
colonel scanned the girls face eagerly
Yes; ! will go with yoa, colonel"
Thank you Little Jack will be 81
glad There Is no woman In the can
torment he takes to but you III,
colonel was going TO the hills for III,
hot menths
y understand II will be my frs
situation"
What do you mean?"
You have asked me to go to Simli
as companion or nurse to your child
You have forgotten to mention on
thing sal larry. !"
The colonel bit his lip Was she jol
ing? Phyl was looking Axcdly at tn
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 leav
Of absence for the sake OF little Jack
do you want salary he asked
bluntly.
1T Is usual, is It not2'
II believe so
At that moment an aYah. leading
child, came across the compound
A few minutes later Phyl watche
the colonel, with little Jack chnging I
his hand, cross the parade grount
The chIld's white frock became spec
in the distance before a sob broke froI
the girls throat
That night wager was made b
Capt Lonsdale among a few Of HI
boon companions
'1'll swim two miles against streai
up the Goomtee on the day Our Da
ling marries any man but myself
"Donef' cried half q dozen voices
Standing outside his bungalow earl
one morning, the solonel with Cap
Lonsdale, watched Phyl romping wit
his child She had lifted the boy Q
70 her shoulder, and, with arms ri
raised 70 steady her tiny burden. "a
toward them
fou will be alone nntl tonight,
he said Capt Lonsdale Has arrange
longer expedition Shall Won u
frightened2"
s'Frightened2 Nj What ID +hara