The record-union., 1893-01-20
ADUZA'S DAGGER.
Written for the REcoRD-UN1oS-By Alice
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contained enough poison to kill 100 men;
and twice that number.
.'Sahib does not believe. Behold !"
pressing his thumb upon the top of the
handle and holding it downward, OBJ
served minute dark substance, almost
indiscernible to the naked eye, drop
upon the thick, white note-paper lying on
the table.
Don't touch tp' He caught up the
paper and thrust it quickly into the blaz-
ing fire.
What fend invented that internal
weapon?"
Aduza laughed, tapping his broad breast
proudly, ''Me, Sahib.''
l was seized with mad desire to pos
sess the knife. 1t for some unaccountable
reason exercised rare fascination over
me.
"WiIl you sell it?"
He shook his turbaned head, smiling.
NO money can buy my dagger, Sahlb."
i will give you 49,"
'No"
"Then five, ten, twenty"
Still the same decisive answer.
At last annoyed and vexed more than /
cared to own at my failure to strike a
bargain, l took my leave.
For days Aduza's dagger fingered in
my mind; the thing had bewitched me.
Have it l must, but how?''
Our regiment was quartered at Calcutta
when received word from my old chum,
Tom Weston, stating that he was on his
return from England, where he had been
on sick leave. He came, accompanied by
the daintiest, sweetest little creature pos
sible.
The evening of his arrival several of
the officers stood around Traxter's talk
ing.
by Jove!" said Varly, blowing a
volume of smoke from his lips, 'looks
mighty as If Weston had brought wife
ont with him"
Here be is, let him speak for himself"
said another, as Tom quickly approached
the group.
"Say, fellows, want to present you to
my sister; she's the only living relation 1
have. The poor little girl begged SO hard
10 come couldn't refuse her. Mrs. Lyle
has kindly volunteered to take her under
her wing"
The boys were all eager to accept Toms
invitation, and we very soon availed our
selves of the pleasure of making Miss
Weston's acquaintance.
1t was not long before she became the
reigning belle.
Dorabel Weston was lovely little
creature, with the brightest OF brown
eyes and that peculiar shade of reddish
gold hair SO uncommon. Like a sn all
subjects with a rod OF iron.
Ihe sweetest, most coquettish little
despot Imaginable, Tom fairly dolized
his falr young sister. Among the most
persistent of her suitors was Extrum, a
great, handsome, fierce fellow. He fell
an early victim, and was the most abject
slave to the small tyrant's wishes.
never was vain man, so did not try
10 compete with my many more favored
rivals. L loved Dorabel with an over
powering devotion, but never in my
widest dreams did L dare hope to win
her for my wife.
IL was about this time l received word
tnat my Old friend AduZa was dead, and
dying left to me the mysterious dagger
before alluded to. The gift caused me
little surprise and no little satisfaction.
locked IL up In small, old, battered tin
boX, amid my most cherished keepsakes
"a lew letters from my dear old mother
in England, one soft silver strand of her
pretty hair, half dozen yellow family
photos and lastly, but not least a tiny,
crumpled glove which Dorabel had
dropped and !, unperceived, had grabbed
and furtively tucked inside my vest
don't know-how it came to pass will
always remain mystery to mellow |
mustered up courage enough to propose
TO Dorabel. 1t was at one of Mrs. Lyle's
charming little parties. We had strolled
out to the garden. Extrum was standing
on the verandah as we passed. He
seemed more attentive than usual that
evening; there was masterful manner
with him 1 did not like. offered Dora
bel my arm, which she eagerly accepted.
"Oh, Mr.. Vernon, l don't like that
man. Lately he fills me with nameless
terror"
"Who? Extrum?"
She nodded and pressed closer to my
side
That night she looked bewilderingly
"a soft
rich saffron color, through which her
neck and arms cleaned dazzling white.
AS she drew near me my heart gave a
great jump as l continued
"Extrum is tirst-rate fellow" feeling
IN honor bound to speak well of an alb
sent comrade, though 1 never had any
great liking for the man. There were
certain rumors atioat, which, if credited,
reflected no luster upon his name
Then suddenly remembered the old
story of Ellerton's young wife. And
again poor pretty Polly North-no doubt
in the world about the latter. She told
me with her own lips, when in answer to
her pitiful request | came to her bedside
dying alone, forsaken by the man who
should have been her protector; diving
with day-old babe by her side in the
miserable bed, in that wretched hovel of
squalid street. Ughi put the shudder-
ing thoughts from me.
'Extrum is good fellow. 1t must be
all imagination, Miss Weston"
She looked up at me, her great dark
eyes shining in the golden moonlight.
"You are good to act as his champion,
Mr.. Vernon. 1t is more than he would
do for you"
Il need no champion, Miss Dorabel."
And yet, and yet," glancing fearfully
over her shoulder. 'he limited darklv.
wickedly, shamefully of an escapade you
had with young woman some months
ago, who died. North, 1 think, the name
was"
1T is false as"
"Hush, l know; my brother told me.
You are noble, good"
The soft, pretty face was dangerously
near the lapel of my coat. The sweet
breath swept upward 10 my lips.
In moment my arms were around
her, pressing the frail little form cruelty
hard against my breast.
"Oh, DON'T Jack, you have no idea how
awful strong you are, you great big bear
and l am such little mite. oh, oh. let
me get my breath, dear"
L relaxed my clasp, still holding her
firmly in my arms. 1t seemed so won
drous, so marvellous, that Dorabel should
love meme, great big clumsy Jack
Vernon.
AS looked at my fair little wife that
was to be. silent prayer of love and
thankfulness trembled upon my lips.
How dearly | would guard and cherish
her. got back to my quarters that night
Il dom 'tremember how. My lips seemed
to sting from the burning kisses 1 had
pressed upon my darling's sweet mouth.
How madly happy L was. l could not
sleep. | felt like jumping, singing.
could shout aloud. No sleep for me that
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