The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1894-11-16


But Lena did not finish her thoughts.
The long rest after exertlon. combined
with the heat, was beginning to make
her drowsy. The rustic Of the leaves
Of a palm-tree near. as they tapped
backwards and forwards in the breeze
sounded in her ears like the distant
wash Of the ocean, and she fancled
herself back on board ship. lying in
her berth. and listening to the tapping
OF the water against the side of the
vesse' Then she was at school. and
the governess was speaking TO her,
and telling her to wake up. Yes,
Miss Martin" she tried to say. and
struggled to lift her heavy eyelids,
while Miss Martin seemed TO stare at
her with a strangely stony look.
AT last. with a great effort, she open
ed her eyes. There facing her, and
just rearing Its head to strike. sat a
large snake. His beautiful glossy skin
shone in the bright sun. and his eyes
were fixed on her. Lena uttered a
sound-voice and tongue alike failed
her; and helpless, almost paralyZed
with terror, she sat looking at the
horrible creature. not daring even to
breathe, lest he should make the fatal
spring. Afterwards she remembered
thinking-such strange beings are we
how very exactly the two Shades of
brown matched in the markings Of his
skin.
A moment passed thus; then sud-
denly there was a shout. and Tom
Elverton crashing through the jungle,
caught the snake by the throat and
strang,ed 1t. Quiet as lightning
Z was done. Tom Elverton had not
spent hours watching the native snake
charmers for nothing: but, In spite of
his deXterity. the snake was swifter
even than he and. twisting itself
round in his hand, II bit him on the
wrist ere it died.
"Oh. thank GOdr' cried Lena. begin
ming TO tremble, now that the danger
was over. But It has bitten you, Mr..
Elverton. oh. what shall we do?'
Never mind that" said Tom, look
ing at the creature now lying on the
ground. Il don't believe il was
dangerous snake, at all. Anyway,
you're not hurt, and that IS the great
thing. l dropped my stick coming
back. else | could easily have Knocked
him over with that; but l might have
struck you as well; so perhaps 1t was
a good thing I hadn't 1t, after ALL"
Tom spoke lightly. but his face was
visibly paling as he spoke. The pain
was making him faint, and he leaned
against the rock.
Mr.. ElvertOn." said Lena. tlmldly,
'let me bind up your hand for you"
He held II out without 4 word, and
Lena looked at the mark Of the bite.
Are you quite sure it was not poi
sonous snake?" she asked. falteringly.
well. perhaps not quite sure" he
responded; but l think not Miss
Lena"
She grew suddenly very red.
DO you remember the story about
Queen Eleanor. Mr.. Elyerton?''
Queen Eleanor he answered, Won
der:ngly. looking INTO her fearful
eyes. II am afraid am rather hazy
in my history. oh" he abruptly
broke off, you mean about the poinson-
ed daggerT' And his face flushed as
deeply as her own. mo. Miss Lena,
that would never do. thank you. A
man might allow his wife to risk her
life for him. perhaps; but this is diff
ferent. l am not Mr.. MacAlpine. re-
member" he concluded, rather bitter
ly. But 4 you will tie a handker-
chief round my wrist. shall be CRATE
full to you for that: and then we must
go down to our horses as fast as we
can. I've found the road now, you'u
be glad 10 hear"
Tom" said Lena, in a very low
voice. 'ff you will ,et me be your
Queen Eleanor now, I'll-I'll be your
wife afterwards"
There is no need to record Mr.. Elver-
toms reply. But there is a lady now
in the assistants bungalow at Due
mallow. and the appu who used 10
cheat his master in the most SYSTEM
attic and barefaced manner has fallen
upon evil days, for he has 10 reckon
with stern mistress for every pound
of sugar and measure of rice he brings
from the bazaar. Consequently, Tom
finds. 10 his great surprise. that he
hardly spends any more money as a
married man than he did as a bache-
lOr; and his stores last out ever 50
much longer, now that Queen Flea
nor" as he calls his wife, keeps the
godOwn keys.
In the centre of their cheerful draw
ing room, mounted on a handsome
brass stand, there is a splendid stuffed
specimen OF the snake tribe, which
Tom occasionally shows his visitors.
That fellow was the best friend ever
| had" he says, for through his help
l got my wife"
Mr. MacAlpine Is still unmarried;
but it is supposed in the district that
ne was lately 'indented home for a
young lady TO come out; and Mrs
Tom Elverton IS particularly anxious
10 know what she Will be like.
Though Tom. my dear" she says,
Il shall never be too glad l learned
sense in time, thanks 10 the snake