Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1895-03-30
MAYA'S LOyE-CHARM.

OF the moonlight seemed deserted. Its
broad gallery reaching to the roof
of the low-thatched building rang no
no echo to happy voices but the faint
glimmer of light from one of the
windows gave proof that one occupant
at least, was keeping vigil.
Near the bungalow, nj 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 man of strong,
athletic build. ana military bearing,
q 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
Gartshnre'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 RS superior of
ticer. Colonel Campbell, who. returning
from fmlOugh, brought bride and
her most intimate school friend, Helen
Arundel
Alec Gartshore was a man who had
never believed in the strength of first
imprl SsiOns of love ut first sight, but
there was Il witchery about Helen that
had interested him from the STAT II
was not her beauty-though her face,
ever vivaciouS and lighted up with
expressive brown eyes, was charming
in its piquant graee-but her sweet
and Innocent nature was ler greatest
charm
From the first day they had been
thrown together The colonel with
strong affection for Alec. thought the
best kindness he could offer was the
society of his wife'S dearest friends;
and the bride. 4 bit selfish in her new
found happiness, was ready to share
IIelen'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 iungle-a small party,
the colonel and his wife. Dr. Blake, the
army surgeon. and wife. and Helen
aud Aley with the native servants
their intimacy was still closer.
often Helen in 4 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 Helcn's arrival in India an
Ayah had been secured for her. whose
duties We're 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-
gance 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 a
theme for conversation ana criticism
in the little company-Helen and the
colone's wife contending that the
woman's fidelity was genuine and that
not trace, of hypocrisy was in her
nature while the men. laughing a lit
tie derisively. said that after the Ia
dies had lived in India longer their
confidence in the faithfulneSs Of ma
tive servants would be weakened If
not entirely lost
Helen, aroused in behalf Of her SER
want, had said spiritedly: Thank
heaven. | am not skeptical. nor can
be made so. l trust and love my good
Ayah as do my friends"
.'As you do meE' Gartshore asked
in low voice as he took her hand to
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 to the
events of that evening, and rousing
himself, he hastily wrote a few words.
which he gave to a native lying near
and told him to deliver to Miss Arur-
del.
Entering the house, the Indian gave
a low knock on the door of Helen's
8paEtment. The Ayah, her bare brown
feet making no noise on the matted
floor opened the door. took the mes
sage, and with a low sadaam laid the
little missiye in her mistress lap.
Helen was seated in 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
deluded! 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 in 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: Will you 20
with me for an early canter say 3
O'Clock to morrow? | am anxious to
tell You of something. II 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
Inent. "Ayah. you may wake me at
4 as | 90 for an early ride with Cap
tain Gartshore."
The woman had stopped on the
threshold, hesitating and Ill at ease.
well. what Is itY' asked Helen.