The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-02-15

woman's movements until suddenly
seeing the note she read the follow
ing words, while a soft color rose to
her cheeks:
Dear Miss Arundel: Will you go
with me for an early canter, say at
o'clock tomorrow? I AIN anxious to
tell you of something. If you will
go you need send no answer. Again
good night. "ALEo GARrsHoRE.
"Ayah," said Helen, as the woman
with her low salutatlon was about to
withdraw to the mat that served as
her bed outside the door of the
apartment "Ayah, you may wake
me at 4. as go for an early ride with
Captain Gartshore.
The woman had stopped on the
threshold, hesitating and i'll at ease.
well, what is itP'' asked Helen,
somewhat impatiently. ''Teu me
what you wish.'
Nothing, missy; ayah wish for
nothing, but ayah wish to say some
! thing to missy-wish very much"
Ny good ayah, tell me what it is
you desire. Do you need money or
are you weary OF the jungle life and
wish to return to Madras?''
''Ah, no, memesahib," expostulated
the Indian. ayah wishes no greater
happiness than to be near you. No
money Ayah requires, nor her heart
longs for the beautiful city, it is one
little story she wishes to tell you, land
her richly tinted skin flushed and her
gentle eyes looked troubled. sDo
you love the captain, dear lady%'
How dare you ask such a ques-
tionP" cried Helen Indignantly. "You
displease me greatly, ayah"
"Forgive me-" was all the woman
said, as, kneeling, she put her fore
head to the hem of her mistress
| gown.
Helen's was 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: ST will hear your lit
tie story"
1t was vivid, glowing picture that
the candles in the queer, twisted
Eastern candlesticks lighted up.
Helen, in a loose white wrap, was
seated before a mirror, her eyes fast
ened on the woman's reflection; the
latter had risen from the floor, her
plant form swaying too and fro as
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.
'Avah has in her heart great love
for her dear lady, love like the wa
tiers that separate missy from hei
home-deep and stro ng. It is not ar
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 cannot give her his whole
love, for that is divided-part to missy
and part to another.
Gin Madras there is a dark woman
beautiful, but not like missy. One
day the captain sees this native, anC
she gives him a drink that she make,
from one herb, and it causes him t.
love her."
A rigid grip seemed clutching a
He1en's throat and heart She pu
her hand forth vaguely to tear
away.
s'The captain gave this Maya-fo1
and Jewels for her hair. But May
. never loves him. and she only get
his love by always sprinkling the pc
ton about his house and in his wine
When he is away from her he hates
himself and her, and his heart is al
4 for missy, but when he goes back t,
Maya he will love her again"
Moments passed; the ayah ha
thrown herself prone to the foo1
Helen, pale and shivering, gazed O
the PROSTATE figure as if it was some
thing polluted that had been cast a
her feet by some receding tide; sh
tried to stand, but her sound youn
limbs lacked power.
Then the distressed soul, who's
love was unquestioning, seemed t
feel rather than to see the sorrow sh
had wrought. and shutting to he
feet she took Helen like a babe
her arms and laid her on a coucl
trying Intellectually to soothe
softly stroking Der face and heat
Finally, as palliative, she began t
speak in an appeasing, grooming voic
as one would lull child to rest.
'sListen, dear missy, to what ava
tells; she knows one medicine man,
native, from him she can get potion
and with it she will go to the captain
= house, and the native butler, WI
knows her well, will let her in to Sc
the house; then it is she will secre Il
sprinkle the floors and walls The
!. when the poor captain shall con
g home he sees Maya at once in h.
true self. and he shall send her fro
the house; then he come back |
: missy, and his whole heart will
y for her."
= These words seemed to arou
Helen from her apathy.
> 'tStopp' she commanded, stern1y.
:, ''Oh, missy, said the Eastern W
man, meekly, but earnestly. 81 CT