The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-04-11

ing footsteps. When all was SILENT the
skulker dropped upon his hands and
knees and crept with great caution to
the verge of the jungle, where he put
his ear to the ground. Then he crept on,
swiftly and noiselessly, toward the cen
ter Of the camp, stopping ever and anon
to listen, until he reached tent stand
ing in an open space apart from the rest
Here he hattened himself against the
ground and lay for minute or two
perfectly still, his swarthy form scarce
ly distinguishable from the color of the
ground. Suddenly he glided like
snake along the side of the tent and dis
appeared under the curtain before the
entrance.
On this very night the major felt
strange uneasiness, which prevented his
sleeping, and toward midnight had
thrown himself half undressed in the
hammock suspended in his bungalow.
But his uneasiness only increased till
it finally took the form of a disagreeable
presentment of a foreboding of impend-
ing evil. Evil to whom? He sprang up,
and going to the entrance looked out
into the clear starlit night. Not a sound
broke the stiffness The very silence was
oppressive to him. In the open space in
the center of the camp he could see the
single tent. A smile broke over his face
Poor little thing!" he murmured.
"Hors has been an unhappy lot What
has the future in store for her? How
contented she appears to be herel How
her beautiful eyes light up every time
we meetl And what delightful look
comes into her bewitching face! Egad,
major, | verify believe if you weren't a
confirmed cd bachelor you would be
falling madly in love with old Raha-
doors little"--
He cut himself short, his eyes glow
ing like live Goals.
Heavens, what was that? He had Just
seen against the shimmering white can
vas of Natalie's tent something like q
fitting shadow-a human form gliding
along close to the ground and vanishing
at the entrance.
Whipping out his pistol-a trusty
friend that never left him in that treach-
erous land-he sped silently over the
ground in his slippered feet to Natalie's
tent and was about to tear aside the cur
tain when Il low voice-a man 's-struck
his ear. He paused and listened.
Awake, awake, daughter of the
faithful" said the voice in Hindoo-
stance. "Rouse yourself, for time is
precious, if you would escape this night
from the accursed dogs who hold you in
bondage"
At these words the major set his teeth
hard together to keep from uttering a
great oath and clutched his pistol more
firmly.
"She sleeps soundly," continued the
voice, which sounded familiar to the
officer, ''as though she had an easy con-
science. But doubtless she is kept under
the influence of a powerful drug that
she may not realize her shame. Natalie,
Natalie, awallel 1t is a true friend who
speaks to you-Punjo, who used to serve
your father. "
'Punjo" repeated the major to him
self, with a start. by heavens, he is
playing now into the hands Of the Brah-
mans 1t shall cost the traitor dearr'
Now there came little cry of alarm
from Natalie, and her soft voice asked:
"Who is there? Who speaks to Nata-
lie?''
''Punjo, your fathers old servant,
who would save you from your disgrace.
Listen. The handsome Brahman priest
who led you to the funeral pile and
your people-your friends-sent me to
you
81 have no friends but the English"
broke in Natalie's voice.
"Ah. 3" said the spy, what has the
cunning Englishman been telling you?
He has been beguiling you with false
words that he might make you blind to
your shame and make you his slave.
"SlaveP' murmured the young widow
in q scornful tone. ut were better to be
his slave than return to the people who
deceived me!'
'But listen, Natalie. You need not
return to your people if you do not wish
to. The handsome young Brahman priest
charged me to tell you that he would
protect you from them'-
II hate him and the rest of the priests
now that my eyes are open to their per-
fidy. shall not return to them" said
Natalie
"Ah, you, woman, dare defy the
priestsl' Kissed the spy. ''Hark you,
woman Go with me you shall in spite
of yourself! Punjo has not risked his
life for nothing"-
A heavy hand fell upon the speakers
peck, there was loud report, and the
Hindoo, bounding backward, fell in a
heap at the entrance to the tent.
Natalie, terrified, flung herself at the
majors feet, and clasping his knees
tightly with her soft, round arms cried
out:
"Oh, l know you even in the dark
You have saved Natalie once more Ma
talie shall be your slave-your willing
slave'
STOPPING quickly, the major lifted her
trembling form in his strong arms and
said in a solemn voice:
"No, not my slave, sweet little Nata-
lie, but my wife--in Englandl"-Dud.
leg Winthrop Moore, in the Washington
Post.