The Yale expositor., 1895-02-08
MAYA'S LOVE-CHARM.

broad gallery reaching to the roof
OF the low-thatched building rang no
no echo to happy voices but the faint
glimmer of Il light from one of the
windows gave proof that one occupant
at least, was keeping vigil.
Near the bungalow, at short dis
tances from one another was pitched
tents, like silent SentinelS at their
post, keeping mute watch.
At the opening of one of these stood
the quiet figure of a man of strong,
athletic build, and military bearing,
a face Drowned by the fierce Indian
sun, and clear-cut Saxon features. He
looked "every inch a soldier" Divers
We're the thoughts that held Captain
Gartshore's fancy on this calm and
peaceful night.
He reviewed the eN ents Of the last
seven months in the minutest detail
from the day that the steamship ar
rived in Bombay with fss superior Of
ficer, Colonel Campbell, who, returning
from a furlough, brought bride and
her most intimate school friend, Helen
Arundel.
Alec Gartshore was n man who had
never believed in the strength of first
imprt ssions of love at first sight, but
there was n witchery about Helen that
had interested him from the start 1t
was not her beauty-though her face,
ever vivacious and lighted up with
expressive brown eyes, was charming
In its piquant grace-but her sweet
and iILocent nature was ler greatest
charm.
From the first day they had been
thrown together. The colonel with n
strong affection for Alec, thought the
best kindness he. could offer was the
society of his wife's dearest friends;
and the bride, bit selfish in her new
found happiness, was ready to share
Helen'S companionship with another.
So at the lawn parties, teas, in long
walks and rides, the captain was ever
in attendance, and since they had
come to the jungle-a small party,
the colonel and his wife, DR.. Blake, the
army surgeon, and wife, and Helen
and Alev, with the native servants
their intimacy was still closer.
Often Helen in q sweet voice would
sing snatches of songs, In which Alec
joined. while the swishing of the pad
dies dipping into the water added TO
the refrain. Halcyon days, those and
never to be forgotten!
Upon Helen's arrival in India an
Ayah had been secured for her, whose
duties were those of maid or duenna,
and whose dog-like fidelity and affec-
ton for her young mistress were reci-
procated by much kindness and indul-
gence on Helen's part. A docile,
tractable creature, tall and 1.-THE, yet
with great dignity of carriage, eyes
dark and humid, with features regu-
lar and the full, pouting mouth Of the
Oriental always CARRIED in the soft
Indian muslin swathed about her fig
ure.
On this EVENING" the Ayah and her
strong affection for Helen had been 4
theme for conversation anu criticism
in the little company-Helen and the
coloncfS wife contendng that the
womans fidelity was genuine and that
not trace of hypocrisy was in her
nature. while the men, laughing n lit
tie derisively, said that after the Ia
dies had lived in India longer their
confidence in the faithfulness OF m
tive servants would be weakened if
not entirely lost
Helen, aroused in behalf Of her ser
want, had said spiritedly: "Thanl,
heaven! l am not skeptical, nor can
be made so. / trust and love my good
Ayah as l do my friends"
''As you do me?" Gartshore asked
In low voice as he took her hand 70
say goodnight. Helen made no an
swer but her hand trembled in his
close grasp.
Alec thought of his question and
Helen's silent reply as in his reverie
his thoughts had drifted back 10 the
events of that evening, and rpusing
himself, he hastily wrote a few words,
which he gave to q native lying near
| and told him TO deliver to Miss Arur-
del.
Entering the house. the Indian gave
low knock on the door of Helen's
apartment. The Ayah, her bare brown
feet making no noise On the matted
floor opened the door, took the mes
sage, and with low sadaam laid the
little missive in her mistress lap.
Helen was seated in a low wicker
chair in her little dressing-room, her
hair unbound and falling in luxuriant
masses over her shoulders. Her eyes
were fixed pensively on the pages of
Selections from Buddha," and these
words were sinking deep, deep into her
heart: "Oh, worldly men how fatally
deludedl Beholding everywhere the
body brought to dust, yet everywhere
the more carelessly living. The heart
is neither lifeless wood nor stone, and
yet it remembers not that all is van
ishing"
SO absorbed was Helen ir these
words fraught with such potent mean
ing that she had not noticed the wom-
ans movements until suddenly seeing
the note she read the following words,
while soft color rose to her cheeks:
Dear Miss Arundel: VIII you go
with me for an early canter. say 3
| o'clock to morrow? / am anxious to
tell you of something. If you will GO
you need send no answer. Again good
night.
Alec Gartshore."
"Ayah," said Helen, as the woman
with her low salutation was about to
withdraw to the mat that served as
her bed outside the door of the apart
ment. "Ayah, you may wake me ut
4, as go for an early ride with Cap
tain Gartshore."
The woman had stopped on the
threshold, hesitating and iii at ease.
"Well, what is itT' asked Helen.
somewhat impatiently "Tell me what