The Elbert County tribune., 1900-04-26
CHAPTER VI.

CHAPTER vi.
1t had been a morning of languorous
heat. and now noon-the long, breath
less Indian noon-was at its meridian,
when, on a day in May. Don Gordon
arrived at Rawal Pindi and rode out
under burning sun to Lille Der
vents house.
The durwan met him with evident
surprise and the intimation that the
gates were closed" (polite Hindostani
for mot at home"). and for an instant
Dons heart stood still, with a vague
fear of he knew not what.
Then suddenly he remembered 1t was
the hour of siesta, time when visits
are never paid In India; and, reas-
sured. he dismounted from his horse,
4 and. presenting his card with the OBJ
I servation that the memsahib would
| be sure to see him on receipt of that"
he passed through the vestibule with
masterful step. and went unannounced
into the drawing room to await Lilies
coming.
How long he waited he knew not.
He walked to the window and noted,
as the mind will note the veriest trifes
at moments OF tense excitement, that
the great adjutant birds were still doz-
ing in the sunshine, and the peacocks
were spreading their gorgeous plumes
on the terrace. as when last he looked
ou- upon 1t from this same window.
The oleander, with its clusters OF
pink: the baubel. with Its perfumed
bells of gold; the jasmine and acacia,
luxuriant in their wild beauty; the
blue Jays and the crested yellow spar
rows, fitting from shrub to shrub; the
brilliant butterflies, sailing through the
voiceless air-all was unchanged, only
the fair Indian home would know its
master never more.
Never more! There was something
terrible in the conviction, something
appalling to Don to remember that
death. chill and stern and awful. Law
beyond this warm young world of bud
ding beauty.
A sharp groan fell from his lips.
stified even as 1t escaped them; for
the portiere had rustled, and he turned
quickly to find he was no longer alone.
Lille had come to him Just as she
had risen from her siesta. Her golden
hair, let loose for GOODNESS, streamed
over her white muslin robe, and round
| her waist was broad sash of black
ribbon, the sight of which sent a fresh
| pang to her lovers heart
"A great sorrow nobly borne is a
great dignity" AS Don looked at her
he realized, almost with a feeling of
awe, that such dignity had fallen upon
Lille now. The dire calamity she
had so dreaded had come to pass, yet
she had not sunk beneath the blow.
| The passion of her grief was spent
and resignation had come. Anguish
had left its pallor on her cheek, but the
hopelessness OF despair was not past.
Don looked at her, marveling at her
fortitude and calm; then the next in
stant his arms were closing round her
like a wise and straining her to his
beating heart, for her calm had. given
way. and she had flown to the shell
ter of his embrace, with tender, sob
bing cry.
"oh, Don, Don. my all on earth
now!" she cried.
He held her tight, and kissed her
again and again. 1t was as II he
dreaded the moment might come when
he should never hold her thus any
more. and he was drinking to the
| full this embittered cup of bliss. Pres
emily she withdrew herself. for there
was something almost fierce in the
fervor of his caresses. She sank on
a divan. and put out her hand to him
to sit by her.
Tell me-" she said family, "all
about It."
| And Don told her, with low voice
! and averted eyes that story which the
press paragraphs, SO comprehensive,
J yet so cruel in their brevity, had al
ready burnt like a soaring iron into
heart and brain.
II was shortly before the mess-hour
Several successive shots had been
heard In the valley. and two had
| penetrated one OF the mess tents and
wounded an orderly whilst in the act
of laying table. Captain Derwent
and himself were returning from a
stroll along the banks OF the nullah,
when a bullet whizzed between them
which struck Captain Derwent, and
he dropped instantly at the narrator's
feet, shot through the heart.
Every effort was being made to
track the perpetrator of the crime and
avenge the captains death; but SO
far the rebels had escaped.
"And you yourself were the only one
near when he died?" she said, through
the tears which were now streaming
silently down her pallid. lovely face.
Eyes. And owing to the dense un-
dergrowth. 1t was impossible for me