The herald., 1897-01-31
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In a little clump Of trees, modestly with
drawn from the dusty high road by couple
of hundred yards and looking uncommonly
like white bandbox dropped by mistake
on the hillside. stood the English church at
Mutra- 1t was squat and insignificant
building, quite unworthy to be dignif1ed
with so grand name and the simplicity
of its interior corresponded in lack of
beauty and decoration with its white
washed and unacorned outward appear
ance.
The door stood wide open, and Hail Mula.
who acted in the amalgamated capacity of
clerk, bellringer and church cleaner. was
busy with broom on the steps at its en-
trance. A party of people sauntering
along the road below. glanced up, attract
ed by his Whitehead figure outlined against
the dark doorway.
Lets go up and explore the church."
said a girls clear voice: I'VE shall have
the advantage of few moments shade
at all events: and it will serve to while
away the time till tiffin is ready"
So saying. she led the way up the narrow
pathway through the gate. She was in rid
ing dress, as We're also the tiye 20, or six peo-
| habit showed off to advantage her pretty,
rounded figure, while even the unbecoming
shape of her sun topi could not entirely
conceal the charming face of it's wearer,
| with curling lips.
II hope your conscience pricks you"
Miss Werner, and suggests that this is a
cise." said the man who followed her foot
| steps, a blonde-hared. blue-eyed giant,
in whose voice the slight burr betrayed the
| Hibernian extraction.
| The girl flashed back at him provoca-
tive glance from under her long, dark curl
| ing lashes. I'VE are partners in fniquity,
| at all events, Captain Fitzgerald, so you
had better come along with me at once
and say a little prayer or two on your own
behalf
"Oh. come, now," he expostulated:
at first. and cast the poor man at the
sirens mercy?"
But it was you who betted her she
could not succeed in bringing Major Brook
to the point. If you had not said that she
would never have taken the trouble to
lure re the unhappy n victim to his fate"
whence Hail leaning on his broom. had
been steadfastly regarding them; but he
resumed his sweeping as they passed on
into the church, followed by some others
| OF the party, though he kept his solemn
| eyes fixed upon two people who lin
| gered by the gate There man was talk
| ing earnestly to tall handsome woman
with flashing black eyes and a splendid
! figure, who bore herself with the air Of
| an amazon queen we'll accustomed to con-
quest. Gertrude Shave was in truth an
rode rough shoG over her victims. carrying
! one backward glance of pity at them as
she went on her way victorious. The
latest to succumb to her charms was the
man beside her. Major John Brooke of tie
! Royal Wessex regiment. now quartered in
| the plain beneath where white line shcne
ffasintly on the edge Of the horizon. some
! low earnest tones to the beautiful woman
| who leant with smiling insouciance over
the gate, while she carelessly switched
her riding whip among the shrubs at its
side. But his pleadings were evidently in
vain.
st,dtsa ~ am sssTt sorry" she said with ealm. IN
tell you the truth there is SOMEONE else
with prior and stronger claim"
She, turned with a light laugh toward
him. but 1t died on her lips as she recog-
nized the meaning of the expression in his
grave, gray eyes.
You mean to say that you have played
WHINE win me- MSS SnaWe; he said, with Bit
an amusing one to you-to me it appears
| but poor jest"
II am sorry, she reiterated this time
| with an increase of hauteur added to her
voice Then turning abruptly she passed
slowly up the pathway from him. She
stood ae.2,l for a moment within the doorway
! ing to the sound of laughter mixed with
loud. expostulating voices which evidently
| emanated from the vestry beyond the altar
| in her eyes look of triumph mingled with
a struggling expression of annoyance,
which in q less assured person might have
suggested feeling Of self-contempt
| w NAT are SUu all UOlng IN hereT' she
asked moment later from the vestry door.
| Inc group of people within turned startled
glances toward her and a sudden silence
teIl upon them. Then Captain Fitzgerald
closed heavy book lying before him on
the table with an emphatic bang
on, I'm sick of this" cried Maud Ver-
ner, sprlnsing from her seat beside him.
| time; I'll race you all TO the bungaiow.'
| And away she went like wild thing ont
OF the church, followed. by the whole pack
OF .ioeT neT giady, Jesiins companions. They
;ne!teo out OF sight in a few moments
| leaving Hail and the church once more
to .their. accustomed a.igniaiea reposs,
Mrs. Brooke put down her teacup with
an air of puzzled surprise
year ago! but how did you know
1T was very. curious, quite coinct-
0ence .e IN fact replied her companion
10 you Know we were married at the
| same place and church. and in the sama
! cay OF the month September 18th. oniv
with lapse of a year between our wed-
Gng days: I hadl been awfufy ill., so they
Norman got six months leave and came
| up there to fetch me, and we were married
AZ Mntra' and went straight away to Eng
For a moment Mrs Brooke remained ST.
lent, she still appeared mystified.
But don't think quite understand you.
| mrs mrs. agar she said. hesitatingy. at last
and did not wish to appear irresponsive
TO her companions expressions of interest.
| They had both quite lately arrived al Fan
galore; had met couple of times before
| this, and had speedily struck up the pre-
limlnarles or strong friendship
Il am afraid l am dreadfuly ignorant"
She continued. IT don't even know where
| Mutra Is, but I have an idea Jack was
| quartered there before I met him in Bam
| bay" " ~
But surely I could not be mistaken"
| protested Mrs. Agar. it was evidently her
| turn now TO be surprised Were you not
married al Mutra two years ago, in that
! little white church on the hill?"
Mrs. Brooke shook her head
We'll it is very extraordinary" said
| her friend. staring at her with an incred-
| uIons smile on her face
| But why do you ask? Why do YOU think
| was married at Mutra?" demanded Mrs
| Brooke. ''i D
= read the names there myself in the
register they came Just above ours. and
| tne page was 20 terribly blotted and smude,
| ca that 1t attracted our attention. Sepem-
per 9TH was the date-Tohn Ormsby Rrooke
| 10 Gertrude Emilia Shave, and then the
| names or the witnesses.
| MY husbano's name is certainly John
| ormsby Brooke, but ] was Alice Mainwar-
| ing. and we were married six months a go
IN bombay. where / was living with INV
| sister Mrs. Arthur Brooke who is mar
I l.Tz 80 n.1F