Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-05-04
DARLING OF THE TROOP.
How Sho Lost q Wager for Cap
tain Lonsdale.


ly, as he rode past the group of men
toward the object of interest.
IA letter for you," he said, In 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 missivo.
After reading the contents the girls
dark eyes were humid A culver Of
disappointment parted her lips.
"only that" she said beneath her
breath. only my servicesl And
thought"
What she thought was never uttered;
her father came 10 the door Of the
bungalow.
capt. Lonsdale is waiting inside to
speak with you. I've given him my
word, dearie, although II will be like
drawing an eye-tooth TO part with my
little girl"
As her father stepped outside Phyl
flashed an angry glance at the cap
tain.
GLOW dare youp forbade you to
appeal to my father"
Faint heart never won fair lady vet.
l dare anything for the chance of win
ming you. will have you, Phyl.
why do you hate me2" the captain
continued, querulously. 81 love you. l
am willing to make you my wife, III
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 absently. Her mother
had been Of gentle birth; the ms ult his
words implied stung keenly.
you are SO bea utiful!" he cried,
moving nearer.
The refrain went on jcrlSily from the
violin; there was n suggestion of scorn
in her action.
"Phyll Have you no pityP Are you
as hard as your face is tender2 Is
there anyone elseP" The captain laid
his hand on the arm moving the bow.
as there. Phyl?"
"You are hurting me, Capt Ions
dale"
"What soft little arm IL ISL he
said, drawing the loose blue sleeve
away from her wrist See; the inn
press Of my cruel fingers. Poor little
arml"
lie bent his head suddenly, pressing
his lips to the delicate flesh. A shadow
fell across them us a figure stood in
the open doorway The girls voice re-
lieved the silence by commonplace;
Good evening, colonel"
Capt. Lonsdalc made hurried dc.
parturc, 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.
~ can't" she cried, with hysterical
little laugh. ~ think-I think you
make me nervous"
"Ncver mind" he said, gravely,
taking the instrument from her hands
~ have heard OF your music. Who
taught you?"
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 failure.
"You had my letter." he asked as
they moved out under the veranda.
YES"
"Are you willinR2"
A moments hesitancy, in which the
colonel scanned the girls face eagerly.
"Yesi / will go with you, colonel"
THANK you. Little Jack will be so
glad. There is no woman in the can
Torment he takes to but you" The
colonel was going to the hills for the
hot months.
~ understand 1t will be my first
situation"
What do you mean2"
"You have asked me to go to Simla
us companion or nurse to your child.
You have forgotten to mention one
thing-the salary"
The colonel bit his lip. Was she jols-
ing2 Phyl was looking fxedly at the
flowers planted near the mango trees.
Had she seriously miscoustrued 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 Jacki
do you want a salary?' he asked,
bluntly.
ut is usual, is 1t not?"
81 ~ believe So"
At that moment an aYah, leading q
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 chIld's white froclE became specli
IN the distance before a sob broke from
tie girls throat
That night a wager was made by
Capt Lonsdale among a few Of hi:
boon companions
I'm swim two miles against stream
up the Goomtee on the day Our Oar
liag marries any man but myself"
"Done" cried half dozen voices.
Standing outside his bungalow early
oae morning, the colonel, with Capt
Lonsdale, watched Phyl romping will
his child. She had lifted the boy oil
- N her shoulder, and, with arms up
raised to steady her tiny burden, RAJ
toward them
"You will be alone until tonight,
he said Capt LonSdale has arranged
a longer expedition. Shall you b,
frightened?"
"FrightenedP Mol What Is there I,
fear?" she answered brightly.
Nothing The servants are within
call. | have forbidden them to leav
the bungalow in our absence"
| The trumnat major riding hehiui