Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1893-06-23
His wife, Did you say his wife,

N.Y. sluou NJ tue uOOr OF tue DunR9-
low, cloud on her face.
81 hate him hate him |" she NUT
tered Toward midday the boy grew
tired and fretful. Phyl, carrying him
to her own bungalow, laid him on
hemp Of rugs in the corner Once little
Jack started up with frightened cry.
and to soothe him him she sang an In
dian lullaby, continuing the weird tune
upon her violin at the boys request.
Suddenly some indeiinable instinct
caused the girl to look owe, her shoulder,
her hand tightening on the violin.
Between her and the sleeping child
was large snake. He had uncoiled
himself to nearly his full length and
risen upon his tail with elevated head
and glittering eyes 1t was the dreaded
cobra
As Phyl gazed at the reptile conclu-
sions rapidly formed The snake had
been attracted by the music; it was
evident by the darting forward of the
cruel forked tongue that the fascination
had ceased with the music.
With an almost imperceptible move
ment the girl drew her bow across the
catgut. In an instant palpable change
came over the cobra his eyes rested
upon her with softened brightness. The
charm that held the snake ut bay was
in her hands
Again tho Indian lullaby broke the
silence, the refrain sounding strangely
weird in its repeated Cadence. Once
more the reptile was spellbonnd.
Phyllis back ached her fingers felt
cramped n feeling of dizziness was
overcoming her. II the exhaustion
supervened, the charm would DO broken.
TO rouse herself Phyl rose TO her feet.
continuing the melody, to which the
snakes head was swaying rhythmically.
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 a gasping sob she glanced at
tho open door and back again at the
sleeping 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 falling instru-
ment startled the cobra.
Gradually her eyes grew dim. Her
head sank lower and lower until il
touched her bosom She became oon-
scious that her voice was only weakly
grooming There was rushing sop-'
in her cars as Of many waters, and al
it all rose childish cry, clear and s.
Daddy Daddyw
Then il became quite dark.
When a few miles on the read
morning the colonel's horse had
bled, slightly injuring its knee
the rider determined TO return, n
for an excuse to forego the EXP
The trumpet majors statement hv-~
him with fear
At the trumpet majors bungalo,
horse came to sudden standstill,
ears set back and quivering in ever,
limb.
A voice singing gayly reached the
colonel. The air seemed filed with Its
laughter. He smiled sadly. then grimly.
How happy she was While he
The song was coming 10 an end. IL
grew fainter and fainter. Dismounting
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 filed with blood, and through
tho crimson mist shone out his sons
bright hair and the white face Of Phyl.
In tho next his hand was upon bis
sword, and cry went up as the girl
tottered forward and his weapon fell
upon the cobra.
The colonel's arm dropped heavily to
his side as his sword changed 10 the
ground, his eyes distended with horror
upon tho severed parts Of the snake.
At his feet was the PROSTATE form Of
Phyl. In one swift glance he noted the
violin with its broken strings aud the
girls stiffcned hands The whole truth
flashed upon him in an instant With
a great sob he raised her in his arms.
kissing the still face passionately
Daddy"
The colonel reused himself. Little
Jack WINS standing beside him, his baby
face full Of awe.
$50. away, jack be said hoarsely
as Phyllis white lids moved and breath
escaped her lips.
The colonel carried her TO the rugs ia
the corner.
phyllis! Phylp
As she met his eyes the terror slowly
died out Of her own. A deep flush crept
into her face aud faded.
"Phyl," he said again "look at me
Phyll Don't turn away. Oh. my love"
be cried, my hearts love 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.
II love love you love you!"
"Who is that woman. Lonsdale,
ing with the colonel2"
Don't you know? All. ,scss
ordered 10 another station before
dreadful news reached Lucknow."
"What news r.
"Of tho colonel's unfortunate attach
ment lie married tho daughter Of our
trumpet major"
"What, Phyllis Rayne ? Phew !" IT,
subaltern screwed up his eyes, glap'
sideways at Captain Lonsdale.
Phyl, little Phyl, the dsrlin
troop2 | remember her now
sweet on her yourself, OF
the way, Lonsdale, |
your 2-mlo swim
Suppose you funke'
II the IN oder
in her sleeve
no room
cachinn'