The Bessemer indicator., 1893-04-15
DARLING OF TIE TROOP.

Ss "os aIo olu8uucE OF Tue trumpet
major and the darling of the troop.
Every one loved Phyllis Rayne. Frotn
the age Of i've she had been auartered
with her father with the regiment.
Our darling has grown into q
beauty" observed the adjutant cheerily
as he rode past the group of men to-
ward the object of interest.
! "A letter for you," he added in more
ofhcious tones, dlsmounting beside the
girl. 'The colonel would be glad OF an
answer tomorrow"
The adjutant rode reluctantly away
as Phil broke the seal of the missive.
After reading the contents the girls
dark eyes We're humid. A quiver Of
disappointment parted her lips
Only that" she said beneath her
breath. Only my services: And I
thought"
What she thought was never uttered;
her father came to the door of the bun
galow.
Capt. Lonsinle is waiting inside to
speak with you. l have given him my
word, dearie, although 1t Will lie like
n"AAs an eyt-tooln 10 part Wlth my
little girl"
flashed an angry glance at the captain.
How dare you? I forbade you to
appeal to my father"
Faint heart never won fair lady yet
L dare anything for the chance of win
ming you l win have YOU, Phyl
Why do you hate me?" the captain,
continued querulously. Il love you.
nm willing to make you my wife, nj.
though you're not"
"A lady" she intcrpolatcd quietly.
A violin was lying on the table: the
girl took 1t UP. With the bow, lingering
the instrument absently. Her mother
had been Of gentle birth; the insult his
words implied stung keenly.
"You are So beautiful" he cried,
moving nearer.
The refrain went on jerkily from the
violin; there was suggestion OF scorll
in her action.
'Phyi, Have you no pity! Are you
as hard as your face is tender? Is
there nny one else:" The captain laid
his hand on the arm moving the bow
rs there Ihylf'
You are hurting me, Capt. Ions
dale"
What soft little arm 1t Isl he said
drawing the loose blue sleeve away
from her wrist. See the impress OF
my cruel fingers, Poor little arm"
He bent his head suddenly, pressing
his lips to the delicate flesh. A shadow
fell across them as n figure stood In
the open doorway. The girls voice re-
neved the silence by a commonplace:
Good evening. colonel"
Capt. Lonsdalc made n hurried de.
tpt tttrs lat ty,,r nartn f,fH
who remained in the doorway.
II.
May l come in:'
Yes"
Don't put TINT down. ! can talk to
you while you play"
The colonel leaned against the wall
watching rhyl ns she rested her chin
again on the violin.
II can't" she cried. with hysterlcal
little laugh. II tbink-I think you
make me nervous"
Never mind" he said grnvely, taking
the instruments from he" hands.
have heard your music Who taught
you?
MY father. l am 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 Il failure.
"Yon had my letter." lie 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 Sc
| glad There is no woman In the can
tonment he takes to but YOU The
| colonel was going to the hills for the
hot months.
"I understand 1t will be my first
situation"
| What do you mean:
You have asked me 10 go to Simla
as companion or nurse to your child
You have forgotten TO mention one
thng-the salary"
The colonel bit his lip. Was she
Joking? Phy1 was looking fixedly at
| tho flowers planted near the mango
| trees. Had she seriously misconstrued
his letter wherein he had asked her tC
accompany him with her father on
their leave of absence for the sake OF
little Jack?
do you want II salary" he asked
bluntly
ut Is usual is II not?'
II believe So
| At that moment an aynh, leading a
| child. came across the compound.
A few minutes later Phyi watched
| the colonel, with little Jack clinging to
his hand, cross the parade ground. The
| child's white frock became speck In
the distance before Il sob broke from
the girls throat.
| That night wager was made by
| Capt. Lousdale among II few of his
boon companions.
| "I'll swim two miles against the
| stream UP the Goomtee Oh the day
Our Darling mariies any man but my
self"
"Donew cried half a dozen voices.
| III.
| Standing outside his bungalow early
| one morning the colonel, with Capt
| Lonsdale, watched Phyl romping with
his child. She had lifted the boy on to
her shoulder, and with arms appraised
to steady her tiny burden. ran toward
them.
| "You will be alone until midnight,
| he said. Capt. 1.onsdale has arranged
n longer expedition. Shall you be
! frightened?"
Enlightened? No. What Is there Ia
fear. she answered brightly.
| Nothing. The servants are within
call. l have forbidden them to leave
the bungalow in our absence"
| The trumpet-mojor, riding behind the
| colonel ventured n confidential remark
"They make a handsome couple. my
girl and the captain. He'll have cause
to be proud Of his wife; oh, colonel:
| His wife! Did YOU say his wire
Rayne?"
AYE, colonel. I've promised her to
Capt. Lonsdale II he can win her
"And-and Phylis:'
The captain Joined them. and the