Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-03-27

AAAS "AAO' DAN SOA oNJ AAS "A1cp Rayne2"
 Aye, colonel I've promised her to Capt. Lonsdale, If he eau win hero
 ""And--and PhyllisT''
 The captain joined them and the party rode on.
 Phyl stood at the door of the buuga- low 8 cloud on her face.
 "I hate himi hate hini!' she nut: tered.
 Toward midday the boy grew tired and tretful. phyl. carrying him to her own bungalow, laid him on heap ht started up with a frightened cry, and to soothe him she sang an Indian lulla- by, continuing the weird tune upon her violin at the boys request,
 Suddenly some indehnable instinct caused the girl to look over her shou1- der, 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 dread ed cobra.
 As Phyl gazed at the reptile, conclu; sions rapidly formed. The snake had OSCA dGEEdCtSu Dy LAc nuSlCi It "aS evident by the darting forward of the cruel fqrked tongue that the fascina- tion had ceased with the musit. With an almost imperceptible move ment the girl drew her bow across the fatgut For m instant a palpable change came over the cobra; his eyes rested upon her with softened bright ness The charm that held the snake at bay was in her hands!
 Again the Indian lullaby broke the silence, the refrain sounding strangely weird In its repeated cadence. Once more the reptile was spellbound. :. ., Phyps back ached, her fingers felt cramped; feeling of dizziness was overcoming her. If the exhaustion su- pervened the charm would be broken. To rouse herself Phyl rose to her feet, continuing the melody to which the snake's head was swaying rhythmic ally. z~
 Snapi
 A string flew asundet beneath the bow. The three strings now beneath Phy's 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 at 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 it touched her bosom. She became con scions that her voice was only weakly crooning. There was a rushing sound in her ears as of many waters, and above it all rose q childish cry, clear and sweet
 Daddy! Daddy!"
 Then it became quite dark.
 When a few miles on the road that morning the colonel's horse had stum- bled, slightly injuring it's knees. and the rider determined to return, not sorry for an excuse to forego the expe- dition. The trumpet majors state ment had filled him with fear.
 At the trumpet majors bungalow the horse came to a sudden standstill. his ears set back and quivering in every limb.
 A voice singing gayly reached the colonel; the air seemed filled with its laughter. He smiled sadly, then grim ly. How happy she was! While he The song was coming to an end; it 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 Phyl.
 In tho next his hand was upon his sword and cry went up as the girl tottered forward and his weapon fell upon the cobra The coloners arm dropped heavily to his side as his sword changed to the ground, his eyes distended with hor- TOT upon the severed parts of the ! snake.
 At his feet was the prostrate 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 a great sob he raised her in his arms, kissing the still face passion: | ately.
 | "Daddy!"
 The colonel reused himself. Little Jack was standing beside him, his baby face full of awe.
 ''Go away, Jaclz," he said, hoarsely, as Phyls white lids moved and a breath escaped her lips.
 The colonel carried her to the rugs in the corner.
 Phyllis! Phylr'
 As she met his eyes the terror slowly | died out of her own. A deep flush crept into her face and faded.
 "Phyl," he said again, Hook at he, Phyl! Don't turn away. Oh, my love" he cried, my hearts lovel 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.
 'l love you! love youl love your
 "Who is that woman. Lonsdale. rid. ing with tho colonel?"
 Don't you know? An, you were or II Hnra1 fn cfa hof