Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-05-04

tered.
Toward midday the boy grew tired
and fretful Phyl, carrying him to her
own bungalow, laid him on heap OF
rugs In the corner. Once little Jack |
atarted mp with frightened cry, and |
to soothe him she sang an Indian lula
by, continuing the weird tune upon her ]
violin at the boys request.
Suddenly some indcfnable instinct |
caused the girl to look over her shout. |
der, her hand tightening on the violin.
Between her and the sleeping child |
was large snake. lie had uncoiled |
himself to nearly his full length and |
risen upon his tail with elevated head |
and glittering eyes. II was the dread
cd cobra
As Phyl gazcd at the reptile, conclu.
sions rapidly formed. Tho snake had
been attracted by the music; IL was
evident by the dartinR forward OF the
cruel forkcd tongue that the fascina-
ton had ceased with the music.
With an almost impcrceptiblc move
mcnt the girl drew her bow across tho
catgut For an instant palpable
change came over the cobrai his eyes
rested upon her with softened bright
ness The charm that held the snake
at bay was In her handsi
Again the Indian lullaby broke the
silence, the refrain sounding strangely
weird In Its repeated cadence. Once
moro the reptile was spellbound.
Phyllis back ached, her fingers felt
cramped; n feeling OF dizziness was
overcoming her II the exhaustion SUI
pcrvened the charm would be broken.
To rouse herself Phyl rose to her feet,
continuing tho melody to which the
snakes head was swaying rhythmic
ally.
Snap
a string few asunder beneath the
bow. The three strings now beneath
Phyllis trembling fingers vibrated weak
! ly; the discordance OF their tones
grated harshly upon her ear.
With gasping sob she glanced at the
open door and back again ut the sleep
ing child. The violin was slipping from
her swollen hand. With an effort born
OF utter despair she broke into a song
as the sound OF the fallen instrument
startled the cobra.
Gradually her eyes grew dim; her
head sank lower and lower until IL
touched her bosom. She became con-
scions that her voice was only weakly
grooming, There was rushing sound
In her ears as Of many waters, and
above II all rose childish cry, clear
and sweet
"Daddyl Daddyw
Then II became quite dark.
When fow miles on the road that
morning the colonels horse had STUN.
blcd, slightly injuring It's knees. and
the rider determined TO return, not
sorry for an excuse to forego the cxpe-
dition The trumpet majors state
ment had filed him with fear.
At the trumpet ajor's bungalow the
horse came to n sudden standstill. his
ears set back and quivering In every
limb
A voice singing gayly reached the
colonel; the air seemed filled with It's
laughter lie smiled sadly, then grim.
ly How happy she wasl While he
The song was coming To an end, |,
grew fainter and fainter. Dismount
ing, he moved nearer TO the open door
of the bungalow and looked into the
shadow Of the room.
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the violin with its broken strings and
the girls stifYened handA The Who'll,
truth flashed upon him In the instant,
with great sob he raised her in hi,
arms, kissing the still face passion
ately.
Daddy"
The colonel reused himself Littl,
Jack was standing beside him, his baby