Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1893-07-13
Mechanrsbwn Frederick County, Maryland TusdayAyl3 1893

bluntly.
1T is usual is it not p
i 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 cllnging to
his hand, cross the parade ground.
The child s white frock became speck
in the distance before sob burst from
the girls throat.
That nighta wager was made by
Capt. Lonsdale among few of his boon
companions.
III swim two miles against stream
up the Goomtee the day Our Darling
marries any man but myself
'Done:' cried half a dozen voices.
x X
Standing outside his bungalow early
one morning, the colonel. with Capt.
Lonsdale, watched Phyl romping with
his child. She had lifted him on her
shoulder, and, with arms appraised to
steady her tiny burden, ran toward
them.
You will be alone until tonight, he
said. Capt. Lonsdale has arranged a
longer expedition. Shall you be fright
ened p
Frightened ? No! What is there to
fear 2 she answered brightly.
Nothing. The servants are within
call have forbidden them to leave
the bungalow IN our absence.
The trumpet major, riding behind the
colonel, ventured cor filential remark.
They make handsome couple
my girl and the captain. He'll have
cause to be proud Of his wife. eh, col
onel?'
His wife Did you say his wife,
Rayne:'
Aye, colonel. I've promised her to
Captain Lonsdale if he can win her,
'And-and Phyllis?
The captain joined them and the par,
ty rode on.
Phyl stood at the door of the bunga.
low, a cloud on her face.
\ hate him. | hate him : she NUT
tered. Toward midday the boy grew
! tired and fre,ful. Phyl, carrying him
! to her own bungalow, laid him on a
heap Of rugs IN the corner. Once little
Jack started up with frightened cry,
and to soothe him she sang an Indian
lullaby continuing the weird tune upon
her violin at the boys request.
Suddenly some indttinable instinct
caused the girl to look oyer her shout
der, her hands tightening on the VIC
lin.
Between her and the sleeping child
was large snake. He had uncoiled
himself to nearly his full length aud
risen upon his tail with elevated head
and glitt, ring eyes. 1t was the dreaded
cobra.
As pbyl gazed at the reptile conclu-
sions rapidly formed The snake had
been attracted by the music it was ev-
ident by the darting forward of the
cruel worked tongue that the fascina
ton had ceased with the music.
With an almost imperceptible move
ment the girl drew her bow across the
catgut. In an instant ii pslpable change
came over the cobra his eyes rested
upon her with softened brightness. The
charm that held the snake at bay was
in her hands!
Again the Indian lullaby broke til,
silence, the refrain sounding strangely
weird in its repeated cadence.
Phyllis back ached her fingers felt
cramped feeling of dizziness was oy'
grooming her. If the exhaustion su-
peryened, the charm would be broken
To rouse herself Ply rose to her feet
continuing the melody, to which the
snakes head was swaying rythmically
Snap
A string flew asunder beneath the
bow. The three strings now beneath
Phyllis trembling fingers ylbrated weak
ly. The discordance of their tone:
grated halshly upon her cal.
With gasping sob she glanced al
the open door and back again at the
sleeping child. The violin was slipping
from her swollen hand. With an effort
boru of utter despair she broke into {
song as the sound of the falling instru
laept startled the cobra.
Gradually her eyes grew dim. Hel
head sank lower and lower until j
touched her bosom. She became con-
sciouc that her voice was only weekly
grooming. There was rushing sound
in her ears as OF many waters, anC
above it all rose a childish cry, cleal