The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-04-11

Rayncs"
aye. colonel rye promised her
10 Capt Lonsdale. II he can win hon'r
''And--and phyllis2"
Tho captain joined them and tho
/ party rode on.
rhyl stood at tho door OF the bungas
low, q cloud on her face.
II hate himi | hate him. she NUT
tered.
Toward midday the boy grew tired
and fretful Phyl. carrying him 10 her
own bungalow, laid him on a hemp Of
rugs In tho corner. Once littlp Jack
ntarted up with frightened cry, and
N soothe' him she sang an Indian lula
hy, continuing the weird tune npon her
violin al the boys request
Suddenly some indefinnblc Instinct
caused the girl 70 look over her shout
der. her hand tightening on the violin.
Between her. and the sleeping child
was d large snake, He had nncoiled
himself TO nearly his full length and
risen upon his tail with elevated head
and glittering eyes II was tho dread.
/ cd cobra
As Phyl gaxcd at tho reptile, concur
sions rapidly formed. The snake had
been attracted BY the music; Ii was
evident BY the aarting forward az tho
cruel forked tongue that the fascina-
ti0n had ceased with the music.
With nm almost imperceptible move.
ment the girl drew her bow across the
cntgut For an instant a paipable
change came over tho cobra; his eyes
rested upon her with softencd bright
moss. Tho charm that held the snake
at bay was in her hantlsi
Again the Indian lullaby broke the
silence. the refrain sounding strangely
weird in its repeated cadence Once
more the reptile was spellboun6.
Phyllis back ached. her fingers felt
overcoming her II the exhaustion 81.
pcrvencd the charm would lie broken
To rouse herself Pity rose 10 her feet,
continuing the melody TO which the
sralse's head was swaying rhythmic
ally.
Snnpl
A string few asnndcr beneath the
bow, The three strings now beneath
Phyllis trembling fingers vibrnted weak.
ly; the discordnnce Of their tones
grated harshly il pom her eur.
With gaspina sob she glanced at The
open door and back again al the sleep
ing child. Tho violin was slipping from
her swollen hand With din effort born
of utter despair shc broke into d song
rs the sound OF the fallen instrument
startled the cobra
Gradually her eyes grew dins her
head sank lower and lower until IL
touched her bosom She became con.
scions that her voice wns only wcalslys
grooming There wns d rushing sound
In her ears as Of many waters, and
above IL all rose childish cry. clear
and sweet
Daddy DaddyE"
Then ii became quite dark.
When few miles on the road that
morning the colonel's horse had Stun
bled, slightly injuring its knees. and
the rider determined 70 return, not
sorry for ain excuse TO forcgo the expo
dition. Tho trumpet MAJORS state.
ment had filled him with fear
At the trumpet majors bungalow the
horse came to a sudden standstiIl his
ears set back and quivering ID every
limb.
A voice singing gayly reached the
colonel; the air seemed filled with It's
laughter. He smiled sadly. then grim
ly. low happy she wasi While he
The song was coming TO an end; IL
grew fainter and fainter Dismount-
ing, he moved nearer to the open door
Of the bungalow and looked into the
shadow Of the room.
For one brief instant the colonel,s
eyes seemed filled with blood and
through the crimson mist shone out
his sons bright hair and the white face
OF Phyi
In the next his hand was upon his
sword and a cry went up rs the girl
tottcred forward and his weapon fell
upon the COBRA.
The colonePs arm dropped heavily
10 his side as his sword changed to the
ground, his eyes distended with hor-
ror upon the severed parts 81 the
snake
At his feet was tho PROSTATE form Of
PhyL In one swift glance he noted
the violin with its broken strings and
the girls stiffened hands. The whole
truth flashed upon him in the instant.
With great sob he raised her In his
arms, kissing the still face passion
atcly.
.Daddyl''
The colonel reused himself. Little
Jack was standing beside him. his baby
face full Of awe.
Go away, Jack. he said. hoarsely,
as Phyllis white lids moved and breath
escaped her lips.
The colonel carried her to the rugs Ia
the corner
"Phyllisi Phyll''
As she met his eyes the terror slowly
died out Of her own. A deep flush crcpt
into her face and faded
',Phyl, " he said again, look ut me,
phyll Don't turn away Oh, my love,
he cried, my hearts Lowell You are
given back to me All my life shall
be grateful; all my life. dear. /"
The eyes of the woman were raised
at last
u love youi love youi love your
who Is that woman. Lonsdale, rid
ina with the colonel2"
Don't you know2 All, you were or