The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1894-01-05
CLARA'S TWO LOVERS.
A Story Of Love and Courage in
the Sepoy Mutiny.

''Long" Tom Fortescue, the major of
the Fifth Bengal native cavalry, and
Charlie Meredith, the senior captain of
that once famous corps, both loved the
same girl; but though they were bosom
friends neither of them had the faint
est suspicion of the others feelings to-
ward Clara Hodson.
The coloners wife knew it. But she
was wise lady and said nothing, not
even to her husband, who would have
''pooh-poohed' if she had done SO. So
she held her peace, and Meredith, all
unwilling, determined to know his
fate before Clara went to the Hills for
the warm season.
1t was still. hot night on the lonely
plain, midway between Agra and Luck
now, where the Fifth was stationed.
Inside the compound, horses sweated
on a walk, and the punkah-wallah had
fallen fast asleep of sheer exhaustion,
while his toe swayed the canvas from
force of habit and sent little breeze
down the veranda.
In dim, distant corner of that
veranda sat Clara and Capt. Charlie
Meredith. Both had been silent a
space Charlie felt his heart thump-
ing as it never did when he faced the
Gurkhas' half-moon blades. Clara's
womanly intuition told her what was
coming, and she rose to go.
'One moment, Miss Clara" said he.
She turned and sat down again, toy
ing neryously with her hands.
Charlie poured forth all his love, he
never knew how, but as best he could.
''Stopl Stop! Capt. Meredith" inn
plored the girl 81 am not free to lis
ten to you," she continued distressedly.
mot freer' he exclaimed, in amaze
menS "Not free! Why surely you"
Charlie, you are too good, too man
ly, to be treated with any reserve !
am already engaged"
The man leapt up at her words,
and staggered as if he had been
struck.
Engaged. Miss Hodson! Surely you
will pardon my words. I never knew
it," he muttered hoarsely.
She replied in gentle tones, but
Charlie did not hear her. The little
punkah-wallah and the veranda were
chasing each other around the COM
pound in a peculiar way, while the
barracks jumped up and down as if
excited at the race. GA roar as of a cat
aract stunned him. He stood there
speechless and dazed. When he looked
around, he was alone.
''Say, Meredith, where are yQu9"
shouted Maj Fortescue, an hour later,
hi int hn NknSn
"Why, man, you look as gloomy as a
molting hen, and I'm simply bursting
to tell you some glorious news. Con-
graduate me, my boyl I've won herl"
"Won-won whom?" calculated Mere
dith, with sudden pang.
1.-THE dearest little girl on earth, old
fellowl l know it will surprise you;
but Clara said ! wasn't to tell you yet;
and /" =
CLARA? Ali ! see. God bless you
and her, Fortescuel'' said Meyedith
What a faraway voice it was that
spokel
Thanks; ! knew you would But
are you ill?" he suddenly interrupted,
glancing at the drawn, colorless face of
= q
AIS COM ,l,ie. .
ooh. no! This COMPOUNDED heatl 1t
stiles one. Have a cigar, Forteseuep
| wish the inspector-generai and bis
80 49, - p.F-s-nz a..
review tomorrow L,l4S ~. +A...Aos
And So Meredith ratified on, whi4e
his heart seemed as if move again II
never would.
look here, Charlie" said Fortescue,
"you are in nice condition to be
aroundl Go TO bed, and I'll hunt the
doctor"
And the great, big-hearted major. sus-
pecting nothing, made him lie down be.
fore he departed
The doctor cams n. sRa<hsaFeRsl-