The leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1895-1905, 1897-03-24

kafamous junction of ways.
About II o'clock on a certain August
morning the weary traveller was rep
. resented by young lady, who was
struggling up the stony track, carry
Z ing on her back q 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.
"0h, Tommy, DEAR" she demonstrated,
your poor horse is doing her best.
Please don't beat her."
Perhaps you will allow me to re-
lieve your said pleasant voice be-
side her, and, turning her head, she
found that she had been overtaken by
a bronzed, black-bearded man riding
stont Bhootia pony.
NAY, nay!' objected the boy, in a
shrill, peesish voice. NAY, nay, nay
mungta" don't want).
Thank you very much," gasped the
lady, suddenly sitting down on the
bank and deposlting ToIumy coolie
fashion. u shall get ON all right
but, Tommy, you really must let me
rest for few minutes"
She was slight and 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
been erased by care and climate.
Alady unquestionably, and too young
to be the mother of that great, selfish
sack, who, with his arms clasped about
herthroat, was glaring truculcntly over
her shoulder.
Little beast!" muttered the traveller,
as he followed, leading his steed
he had been on shooting trip into
Ihibet had parted that morning with
DIS two soldier companions, who were
fastening to rejoin their regiment.
ms girl staggering up the hill before
INN was the first European woman he
mad seen for three months.
just before sunset there was a great
oustle at the bungalow, a commotion
among the servants, betokening an inn
portant arrival, Two ladies had APP
peared-followed by whole cloud Of
eOolies' One rode a pony, the other
occupied dandy, piled with red silk
cushions borne by four gay jampan-
uels' and carried in her lap black dog.
The veranda was soon stacked with
chairs, tifiin baskets, boxes and an air
VI Vitality and luxury seemed suddenly
10 oVerwhelm the entire premises. The
lady who stepped out of her dandy,
giving rapid orders in vile Hindoostani,
was tall, fair, good-looking woman,
WIN long, horse-like face, and quick,
mperious manners.
Inc stranger promptly recognized
her as Mrs. Eliot Passingham. Ten
years ago, when an impecunious SUBJ
s,'ern' he had been Tilted by her cousin!
ner present companion was dark girl
VI ABOUT five and twenty, with pair of
restless black eyes and bright color,
VINO would have been handsome but for
ner thin lips and expression of rooted
u'seontent' She began patroling the
Eeranda.
ana how is my own darling cherub,
my angel, my goldy locks?" cried his
.ao.ner' as Tommy precipitated him
seil INTO her open arms.
l want my things unpacked," COM
llaihed Lila. Il want to get into tea
svwh. Where is that creature, Jones?
"hy is she not here?"
Jones! Jonesi" called Mrs. Passing
nam, lmperatively, and the girl in
SANITY appeared, carrying a tea tray.
i've been getting you some tea" she
explained.
g. wen well, put that down, and do,
-. goodness sake, hurry up those
s s0Oiies and get my box open. And
ss. and pull my boots off" So
,;.'g' she stalked into her own par
ocular hole or den.
a., % tnat pale, ladylike girl was Flor
'uce Passingham's maid.
me sisters dined on the yeranda.
- ulo also the traveller. They drank
49,, and made merry and "the
~ with the boots" as he mentally
s., ,nso her, had every reason to be
bs,s the girl with the tongue" for
never ceased.
.,. after dinner they descended the
A., r. and began to trail up and down
De = arm on the scorched grass, talk
rs; a. loudly and as confdentially as if
s,ss audience merely consisted of two
stuffed figures.
b., ny dear Lila" said Mrs. Passing
Min Mating to speak. and speaking
nss., instinct emphasis, "you must re-
No. -'Oer that you are 2s- that we go
NJ. ' !, IN February-and that you can
es,a p'eN and choose. You played your
Ia H., very stupidity with Maj. Packe-
ui sup through your fingers, and