The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-04-15

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 jerkily from the
violin; there was a suggestion of scorn
in her action.
''Phyl! Have you no pity? Are you
there anyone else?" The captain laid
his hand on the arm moving the bow.
''Is there, Phyl?"
''You are hurting me, Capt. Ions
dale"
What a soft little arm it isl" he
said, drawing the loose blue sleeve
away from her wrist. ''See: the i'm
press of my cruel fingers. Poor little
armr'
He bent his head suddenly, pressing
his lips to the delicate flesh. Ashadow
fell across them as figure stood in
the open doorway. The girls voice re-
lieved the silence by commonplace:
Good evening, colonel"
Capt. Lonsdale made hurried de-
parture, saluting his superior officer,
who remained in the doorway.
May l come IMP"
"Yes"
Don't put that down. 1 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't!' she cried, with a hysterical
little laugh. Il think-I think you
make me nervous"
''Never mind" he said, gravely,
taking the instrument from her hands.
81 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 a 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 willing?"
A moments hesitancy, in which the
colonel scanned the girls face eagerly.
Yes; l 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.
81 understand. 1t will be my first
situation"
What do you mean?"
"You have asked me to go to Simla
as companion or nurse to your child.
You have forgotten TO mention one
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 father on their leave
Of absence for the sake of little Jack?
do you want a salary?' he asked,
bluntly.
1T is usual, is it not?"
81 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 ch1lds white frock became speck
the girls throat
That night wager was made By
Capt. Lonsdale among a few o. his
boon companions
''I'll swim two miles against stream
up the Goomtee on the day our OAR
ling marries any man but myself"
"Doner' cried half dozen voices.
Standing outside mis- bungalow early
one morning, the colonel, with Capt
Lonsdale, watched Phyi ronping with
his child She had lifted the boy on
to her shoulder. and. with arms up
raised 70 steady her tiny burden, ran
toward them
"You VIII be alone until tonight
be said Capt Lonsdaie has arranged
a longer expedition Shall yen be
frightened? No, What is there 20
:ear?- she answered. brightly.
Nothing The servants are within
,aIL have forbidden them 20 lea-c
he hung allow IN our absence"
The trumre: major, riding behind
he colonel. vep:ured confidential
-enla-i:
They make handsome .ouols-my
yiri and the captain He'll have cause
% be proud OF his vife-eil, colonel7
Ellis wife. Did ron say his wife,
2ayne?'
Aye, colonel I've promised her
10 Capt; Lonslage, II lie can wiz her"
'Ani-and PiIyll:sEf
The captain joined them and The
party rode on
Pnyl s,oos a, rh- door OF tie buus~
.oz- cllsE1i On bar t-aA 4