The Monitor-register., 1897-02-19
ROMANCE OF A BUNGALOW.

VI" "oou vi buo sdiioy III WHICH III SIaDQS
is famous junction of ways.
About eleven O'Clock on a certain
August morning the weary traveller was
represented by a young lady, who was
struggling up the stony track, earring on
her back solid red haired 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.
your poor beast is doing her best.
Please don't beat her."
Perhaps you will allow me to relieve
You ?' said pleasant voice beside her.
and turning her head she found that she
mad been overtaken by bronzed, black.
bearded man, riding stout Bhootia pony.
Nay, nay!" objected the boy, 10 a
shrill, peevish voice. ''NAy, nay, nav
mungta" (don't want).
"Ihank you very mu9h," gasped the
lady, suddenly sitting down on the bank
and depositing Tommy coolie fashion. "I
shall get on all rght-but, Tommy, you
really must let me rest for a few minutes. ,,
She was slight aud fair and young
though her face had lost the look of
youth. 1t was face from which all
light and mirth and hope and color had
long been erased by care and climate.
A lady unquestionaby, and too young
to be the mother of that great, selfish
sack, who, with his arms clasped about
her throat, was glaring trucuIently over
her shoulder.
Little beast" mutterei the tray eler.
as he followed, leading his steed.
| He had been on a shooting trip into
Thibet, had parted that morning with his
two soldier companions who were hasten.
ing to rejoin their regiment. This girl
staggering up the hill before him was the
hrst European woman he had seen for
| three months.
just before sunset there was a great
hustle at the bungalow, a commotion
! among the servants, betokening an
important arrival. Two ladies had
appeared, followed by whole cloud of
coolies, One rode a pony, the other
occupied dandy, piled with red silk
cushions borne by four gay jampannels,
and carried in her lap black dog.
The veranda was soon stack ID with
chairs, tifin baskets, boxes, and an air of
vitality and luxury seemed suddenly to
over"helm the entire premises. The
lady who stepped out of the dandy.
giving rapid orders in vile Hindoostani.
was tall, fair. good looking woman.
with long, horse like face, and quick.
| imperious manners.
The stranger promptly recognized her
as Mrs. Elliot Passingbam. Ten years
ago, when an impecunious subaltern, he
had been Tilted by her cousin. Her
| present companion was u dark girl of
about five'and twenty, with pair of
restless black eyes and a blight color. who
would have been handsome but for her
thin lips and an expression of rooted dis
content. She began p.trollIug the
veranda.
"And how is my own darling cherub,
my angel, my goldy locks?' cried his
mother, as Tommy preoipitated himself
into her open arms
II want my things unpacbej," COM
planned LILA. Il want to get into a tea
gown. Where is that creature Jones ?
Why is she not here ?''
''Jones Jonesr' called Mrs. PASSING.
ham, imperatively, and the girl instantly
appeared carrying tea tray.
''1have been getting you some tea,
she explained.
well, well, put it down, and dc, for
goodness sake, hurry up those coolies.
and get my box open. And here-come
and pull my boots off" So saying. she
stalked into her own particular hole or
den.
SO that pale, lady like girl was Florence
Passingham's maid.
The sisters diped in the yeranda. as
did also the traveller. They drank
champagne and made merry, and "tbe
girl with the boots," as he mentally
termed her, had every reason to be called
''the girl with the tongue for hers never
ceased.
After dinner they descended the steps
and began to trail up and down, arm In
arm, on the scorched grass, talking as
loudly and confidentially as if their audi
ence merely consisted of two stuffed
figures.
my dear Lila" said Mrs. Passing
ham. battling to speak, and speaking with
distinct emphasis, "you must remember
that you are twenty eight, that we go
home in February, and that you cannot
pick and choose. You played your cards
very stupidity with Maj. Packe, let him
slip through your fingers, and that horrid
Spratt girl snapped him up. Take my
advice
The stranger dared not wait to hear it.
but plunged hastily into his own room.
where he remained close prisoner until
the two ladies had Withdrawn to bed, and
he heard them calling Jones'"
The following morning he was awak-
ened by the rain descending in torrents
The roar upon the roof, the splashiug in
the veranda, announced the last, ard
worst, of the monsoon.
Impossible to travel on such a day.
He must remain, read, write letters.
smoke and face Florence Passing hamr
There, she was calling.
''Jones, Jones, do look after this child.
His feet are sopping. He has been out"
Then came scream, aud his usual cry
IL want-I want!'
Shortly before tiffin Mrs. Passipgham
burst into her sisters room, while Jones
was dressing her hair.
"Wbo do you think is here. Paul
Sherwell, who was once engaged to our
cousin, Tiny Fleet"
"What, not that loafer With the beardP"
"My dear, he has cut if off. He is as
smart and handsome man as you could
wish to see. His uncle died about five
years ago, and he has succeeded to the title
and estates, and is Sir Paul Sherwell,
with sple ndid place and fifteen thousand
a year"
Il should think Tiny is rather sorry for
herself now," scoffed her cousin Lila.
''Sorry years ago. Tom Fowler is an
unsympathetic brute. Paul bear Us no
i'll will. He is coming to tiffin. as his
bearer is sick. He has been shooting in
Thibet and is on his way home He will