The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1893-02-17

IL hope it isn't very i lmaidenly, dear,
but there is no time to stand upon for
malities. If you still care for me-if
you think your position sufficiently hope
full to justify marrying, come down at
once Or write. But if"-here tear
would fall on the paper-''you find that
for any reason it cannot be- then don't
answer; shall understand"
1t was three days post to Georges
station, and Lucy told her father she
would think over the matter and would
give him definite answer in week
The sixth day came, and the poor girl
was trembling with excitement; the
seventh, and she could scarcely keep still
for moment. But the post came-and
no letter At first q feeling of numbing
despair seized on her, but she immedi-
ately rallied.
How stupid am! There may not
have been time to catch the mail, or
George may have been out shooting"
So to make sure, and leave enough
margin, she begged her father for three
days grace, for she never doubted
George But the three days passed. and
there was no sign.
Lucy was married to McAllister fort
night afterward.
"A very short engagement, my dear"
said the majors wife TO her bosom
friend, but you see the poor dear
colonel must be off at once; can't wait
any longer, the doctors say, and it is
everything to have Lucy settled before
he goes. | wrote and told George Far
leigh ii was coming off-sn awful blow
for him, poor fellow, unless he has for
gotten all about her, which S probable. =
But he had not forgotten all about
her, and four hours after receiving the
good lSdy's information he sat like one
in dream. Then he shook himself to-
gether, and in due course read the do
mestic occurrence in the paper quite
calmly. The MoAllisters and George
Farleigh never met, for he went into
the political line, and went from one
native state to another without once re.
turning to his former presidency. But
he now and again heard Of thsm-hov
they led an apparently happy life in d
quiet way, no particular love perhaps
on her part, but sincere attachment tC
her husband. And presently McAllistel
retired and settled in England.
II was just fourteen years since Georg,
left his regiment, He had got on well
and was'now resident at the court OF Al
imbecile prince with an unpronounce
able name. 1t was hot night, and hi
solitary dinner was scarcely over whAl
the days post came in-the English mai
with it-so he lighted cigar and lief
the table for long armchair in the We
rands. The bearer placed the lamp con
veniently and retired to doze. The frs
letter that caught his eye was from tn
postmaster general, and wondering wha
that exalted functionsry could want wit
him he opened it before hooking at tn
English letters and newspapers. TIL
following is what he said:
"SR-1 have the honor to inform yo
that an old man died lately at the VII
lage Of Screepore, in the state of Achir
abad, who was formerly tappal rune
in that state. On his deathbed he cor
fessed to having stolen one of the lette
bags many years ago, under the belle
that there was money in it, but that h
then became frightened and hid the LEI
tiers in box without opening then
This box he buried, but after some tror
BILE it has been found, and the content
are now being distributed as far as til
addresses can be traced. The inclose
is apparently for you, as on inquiry
has been ascertained that it was yo
who were at the time in Achinabad.
have the honor, etc."
George knew the writing on the il
closure at once; it was Lucy's. tt
faithful bearer wondered why the sahi
was so long in coming to bed; also /
did not seem to be reading, for thel
was no rustic of paper, so with catlil
tread he crept to the veranda. I'll
sahib was lying back in the chair wit
: his hand over his face. Three and fol
= times the man returned, and always
> find his master in the same position.
1t was not till the gray dawn mac
the lamplight pale that George ROUSE
. himself from a long dream of VIII
might have been and of what had bee
and even then he did not feel in Il
least sleepy, so for sheer lack of som
0 thing to do he took up an English pap
a that had just arrived, and CHANGING
q open it at the deaths read:
e April IS, at 104 Greenfair garden
=, Cheltenham, John McAllister, Esq, la
of the Indian civil service. Indian 7
pers please copy"
4 Next month George Tairleigh start
# for England on urgent private affairs.
n Million.