River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-03-25

ABOUT II O'Clock on certain August
morning the weary traveller was rep
resented by a young lady. who was
struggling up the stony track. carry
ing on her back a solid red-hair I'd boy,
who appeared to have an excellent pair
of legs of his own, with which from
time To time he kicked her vigorously.
oh, Tommy. dear" she demonstrated,
'.yOtsr poor horse is doing her best
Please don't beat her"
"Ierhaps you will allow me TO re-
lieye you2' said a pleasant voice be-
side her. and, turning her head, she
found that she had been Overtaken by
a brOnzed, black -beg rtie1 man riding
a stOHt BhoOtia pony.
Nay, nay objected the boy, in
shrill, peevish voice. Nay, nay, nay
mungta" don't Want).
Thank you very much" gasped the
lady, suddenly sitting down on the
bank and depositihg Tommy coolie
fashion. Il shall get on all right
but, Tommy, you really must let me
rest for few minutes"
She Nas slight anu fair and young,
though her face had lost the look of
Youth. 1t was. a face from which ali
lightand mirth and hope and color had
been erased by care aud climate.
AladS unquestiOnabiy, and too young
10 be the mother Of that great, selfish
sack. who. with his arms clasped about
her throat, was slaring truculentlyOver
her shoulder.
Little BEAST" muttered the traveller,
as he followed, leading his steed
lie had been on a shooting trip into
Thibet, had parted that morning with
his Two soldier companions, who were
hasteuiBg TO rejoin their regiment.
This girl staggering up the hill before
him was the first European woman he
had seen for three months.
just before sunset there was great
hustle al the bungalow, cOmmotion
among the servants, betOkening an i'm
porta1t arrival. Two ladies had ap-
peared-followed by a whole cloud of
coolies One rode a pony, the other
occupied a dandy, piled with red silk
cushions. borne by four gay jampan-
ueis. and carried in her lap black dog
The veranda was soon stacked with
chairs, tiffin baskets. boxes and an air
OF vitality and luxury seemed suddenly
10 Overw helm the entire premises. The
lady who stepped out of her dandy.
giving rapid orders in vile Ilindoostani,
was tall, fair, good-looking woman.
with long. hoFse-like face, and quick,
imperiOus manners.
The stranger promptly recognized
her as Ms Eliot Passingham Ten
years arr. when an impecunious sub
altern, ne had been Tilted by her cousin!
lIer'P sssent companion was dark giri
of ajout five and twenty. with pair of
restless black eyes and a bright color.
who would have been handsome but for
her thin lips aud Expression of rooted
discomfort. She began PatrOling the
Nerauda-
"And now il my own darling cberub.
my angels my goldy locks?" cried his
n.ssher,-ss Tommy precipitated him
self ihr0~her open arms.
Il want my things unPacked." com
] 5ained Lila. Il want to get into a tea
gown. NRsEe Is that creature. Jones !?
Why is S4,ssTot heres''
@JsHcs, Jones!" called Mrs. Passing
ham. imperati,ely. and the girl in
stanBy appeared. carrying 4 tea tray.
e.d've been getting you some tea" she
explained.
'.lVeil. well. put that down. and do.
for goodness sake. hurry up those
coolies and get my box open. And
here-eome. and pull my boots off," So
saying. she staiked into her own par
tieuLar hole or den.
50 that pale. ladyiike girl vas Flor
eucS PaSsiugham's maid.
The sisters dined on the yeranda,
Is did also the traveller. They drank
champagne and made merry and the
giF4. with the boots" as he mentally
tei5fed her. bad every reason to be
hers never ceased.
After dinner they descended the
steps and began to trail up and down
arm in arm on the scorched grass. talk
ing rs loudly and as cOnfidentially as If
treir audience merely consisted of two
stsfsed figures
slY-deaT Lila" said Mrs. Passing
ham. halting 10 speak. and speaking
WITH distinct emphasis. Won must re-
meiAbeE-ihaA-y You are 7S-that we go
home iB- Eeiss,uary-and that YOU can
not pick and choose. You played your
cards very stupidity with Mai. Packe-
let him slip through your fingers, and
that horrid Spratt girl snapped him up.
Take my advice"
Ihe'stsanger dared not wait to hear.
il. but plunged hastily into his own
room. where he remained a close pris-
cner until the two ladies had with
draws ts bed. and he heard them call
ing "J0Ress"s
The following morning he was
awakened by the rain descending in
torrents. The roar upon the roof. the
spIashing- III the NeraRda. announced
the last and worst hurst Of the mon
soon.
Impossible 10 travel on such day.
He must remain-read, write letters.
smoke andrfsce Florence Passingham.
There-she was calling.
Zones. Jones. do look after this child.
His feet are sopping. lie has been out! "