The Yale expositor., 1895-02-08
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love the captain, dear lady"
GLOW dare you ask such n quas-
tlon?' cried Helen Indignantly. You
displease me greatly, Ayah."
"Forgive me-" was all the woman
said, as kneelng she put her fore
head to the hem OF her mistress
gown.
Helen's was a sympathetic and ten
der heart, and seeing the utter abase-
ment OF the Indian, She relented,
and, putting her hand softly on the
Ayah's head, she said: 81 will hear
your little story"
1t was a vivid, glowing picture that
the candles in the queer twisted East
ern candle-sticks lighted up. Helen,
in her loose white wrap, was seated
before mirror, her eyes fastened on
the woman's reflections; the latter had
arisen from the floor, her plant form
swaying to and fro rs she brushed
her mistress hair;she looked like some
seeress about to utter a prophecy or
incarnation as she began her little
tale, speaking now in broken English
and now in Tamil, her native dialect.
"Ayah has in her heart great love
for her dear lady, love like the
waters that separate missy from her
home-deep and strong. 1t Is not an
easy thing for Ayah TO speak, but her
heart say, tell her love say speak
She know that missy like the captain
very much and he loves you; but
while missy gives him her whole heart,
he can not give her his whole love,
for that is divided-part to missy and
part to another"
Helen listened, a growing sense OF
danger and apprehension that she
could not fathom making her dumb,
while the Ayah went on, her voice
taking dreary monotone.
I'm Madras there Is dark woman,
beautiful, but not like missy. One
day the captain sees this native, and
she gives him drink that she makes
from one herb, and it causes him to
love her"
A rigid grip seemd clutching at
Helen's throat and heart. She put her
hand forth vaguely to tear ii away.
She tried TO speak, but her tongue
was palsied, and the Indian divining
nothing, continued In her sing-song
minor tone.
1.-THE captain gives this Maya-for
that is her name-much money, silks
and jewels for her hair. But Maya
never loves him, and she only gets
his love by always sprinkling the po-
ton about his house and in his wine.
When he is away from her he hates
himself. and her, and his heart Is all
for missy, but when he goes back to
Maya he will love her again."
Helen had drunk the bitter cup in
all its strength, for she could not
doubt a word Of the narrative. Her
first great trouble had found her alone,
and she must meet it single-handed,
for what comfort could this poor child
of darkness, with her mystical religion
bring to her?
Moments passed.; the Ayah had
thrown herself prcpe on the floor.
Helen pale and shivering, gaZed on the
PROSTATE figure as If ii were something
polluted that had been cast at her
feet by some receding tide, she tried
to stand, but her sound young limbs
lacked power.
Then the distressed soul, whose love
was unqueStioning. seemed TO feel
rather than TO see the sorrow she had
wrought and shutting to her feet she
took Helen like n babe in her arms
and laid her on n couch. trying inef
fectually 10 soothe by softly stroking
her face and head. Finally as a pal
liative she began to speak in an ap-
peasing grooming voice, as one would
lull a child to rest
Listen, dear missy, to what Ayah
tells: she knows one medicine man,
n native, from him she will get n
potion, and with ii she will go to the
captains house, and the native but
ler who knows her well. will let her
in to see the house; then ii Is she will
secretly sprinkle the floors and walls.
Then when the poor captain shall
come home he sees Maya at once in
her true self, and he shall send her
from the house; then he come back to
missy, and his whole heart will be for
her"
These words seemed TO arouse Het
Ell from her apathy.
"Stop" she con handed sternly
ooh, missy" said the Eastern wona-
an, meekly. but earnestly. IL can not
work the charm without your permits
sion. VIII dear missy conseIt?'
"Oh;" answered Helen drearly, for
she realized the utter impossibility OF
reasoning with this child of mystery,
"there is no need of charms or po-
tions or my consent, for / do not love
this man; and now you may 60. But
wait" as sudden thought came to her
mind, "I wish to send n note to
Captain Gartshore," and with tremb-
ling. cold fingers, that could scarcely
do her will, she wrote these words:
Captain Gartshore: l can not ride
with you tomorrow. Helen Arundel"
go. now" said Helen, solemnly
her tace like that of some accusing
spirit; Ego and pray to your God for
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