The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-04-26
MYSTERIES OF THE NIGHT
Z D G A R PIC ERIN
THE TRAGEDY OF THE
GRANGE BALL


GRANGE BALL
Right and left of him men were falling
quickly under the hot fire from the distant
kopje; the hiss OF bullets. thick as hail al
most was IN his ears across the bare.
exposed ground Mark Eversley led his
company to the attack with a grim, defiant
look in his eyes as If he scorned death.
There was a grim surprise in his heart,
too which amounted well nigh to regret,
that he had escaped so far from being
wounded killed. for it would be better
far to have done with life, as so many
others had with their face to the foe. than
10 see England again. And amid the wild
excitement of the engagement Marks mind
was occupied in going over again the an
nouncement he had read in the newspaper,
which was dated two months ago, but had
only reached the station an hour since
The paragraph in the paper which seemed
10 have burnt itself into his brain an
nOunced the engagement Of Freyda Ora
ham 10 Leslie Streatham. was worded in
the conventional style and absolutely unin-
teresting to every one in the world except
ing Capt. Mark Eversley. The assembly
had sounded as he stood gazing at the
printed words. and he had gone out from
his ragged little tent into the hot glare
to join in that deadly brush with the foe
thinking nothing but of those curt words
which told him that the woman who had
vowed constancy to him had been faith
less.
1T will be better for her-better for me
if 1 get bullet through my heart" went
his thoughts, than to go home. There'll
be some sharp fighting when we get within
grips with those beggars yonder and it
may come them" and he gave a quick look
at one OF his men who had pitched comical-
~ forward. reddening the parched veldt
under his broad chest. Then the company
had left the dead man a hundred yards to
the rear and Captain Eversley's thoughts
went back to the paragraph in the news
paper as he and the others came hand to
hand with the enemy at last.
But neither bullet nor sword had touched
him, and out Of the butchery Mark Evers-
ley returned to his quarters, having per-
formed bit OF work which would make
him a V. c. presently, yet he had but the
faintest recollection OF II. Freyda Graham
seemed to have got between him and death.
That was the strangeness Of the thing,
and he laughed mirthlessly at the thought.
Three months later, and he was in Lon
don again. his share in the South African
war being done. He had only returned yes
terday, and 1t was nearly two years since
he said goodbye to Freyda Graham; there
was a host OF friends who would welcome
him-yet Mark Eversley thought OF but
one. She had been different from his other
friends, for he and she were to have been
made man and wife; but something had
happened to prevent their marriage, and
for the thousandth time the weary Sc
quence OF the events OF the past two years
passed through his brain. They had haunt
ed him from the moment when he read the
announcement in the paper-all through his
journey to Cape Town, and the voyage
home, until every other thought had been
driven from his mind except that of meet
ing Freyda- once more.
He was going down to Cranworth that
evening. He had decided upon doing that.
What might happen after confused him to
imagine "She can scarcely refuse to see
me-" unused Mark. mo one else need know
Of my coming to her mothers hOuse-best
that no one should know" and he got up
from his chair, going to a battered old
leather case which held pair of revolvers.
He took one OF these out, examining the
lock carefully, thinking Of the bearded
face that had confronted the weapon for
a moment at Colenso before disappearing
In a mist of blood-stained smoke.
Mark found himself balancing his re-
volyer in his hand, and then he flung 1t to
the further end of the room. II shall be-
gin to think I'm going mad he muttered.
THAT was a hateful thought which came
10 me Just now-it seemed to blind me for
the moment"
His servant entered the room at that in
slant and Mark twisted round sharply, no
ticing a card in the mans hand. Il can
see no one" he said. Tell them I'm i'll or
engaged. Say I'm dead and buried" and
he gave barking laugh.
The man nodded stoldly. His master
was only a little stranger in his manner
than usual, but there was a different look
IN his eyes from that of yesterday.
The Grange Cranworth, was brilliant
with light and merriment that night when
Mark Eversley arrived at the lodge, for
Mrs Graham gave ball to which half the
county had gathered, and the sound of
music came family through the darkness
as he stood listening.
1t was F'reyda's birthday and the dance
had been given in honor of the occasion. 1t
would be the last event of her happy, care
less life of girlhood, for she and Leslie
Streatham were TO be married in month
time. Everybody congratulated her mother
and herself, for Streatham was one Of the
wealthiest commoners in England. and
Captain Eversley had been a comparative
~ poor man. Freyda was very sensible.
said her friends. in throwing him over; but
1t had not been an easy task. How fondly
Mark had loved her-how strong and tender
his worship! and amid the gaiety surround
iEg her there came a pang of regret that
their lives were forever sundered She was
wondering what the effect Of her letter.
that had never reached him. might have
been. and in what manner she was to meet
him. as meet they certainly would next
season.
''You are wonderfully thoughtful,
Freyda" II was Leslie Streatham, who
was looking at her. as she sat out one OF
the dances. What are you thinking
about?'
She glanced up. smilingly. Would you
really like TO know she answered. coquet-
tishly, and he smiled back.