The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1906-12-28
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~ mrs. ,. i. CROKER

Il ~ mrs. y. u. CROKER ~
keeeoooeeoaoeaaonoo
aCopyrght lsoG8 b. Jossph B. Bowlss.)
+ India! What q glorious vision was
summoned by that word! and when It
was suggested as my future home, I
accepted the proffered invitation, and
sailed eastward-the bride of a clever
Young civil engineer. .
Our home was q comfortable white
bungalow in excellent repair. It
stood between the ruins Of an old fort,
and q large building enclosed by q
high wall, over which waved the tops
Of palms and tulip-trees.
"That was once the Residency," ex-
planned Mr.. Bethune, a young friend
Of my husbands who came occasion
ally to see us. II believe it has won
derful grounds full Of mangoes and
tamarind trees. Think of such waste!
Now it belongs to a rich zemindar-a
Brahmin-who shuts himself up with
his belongings to the fourth genera
ton, and keeps temple and a priest.
am. sorry you have not better neigh
5ors!"
Perhaps we may become friendly"
1 answered. 81 should like to see an
indian household"
'You will never do that here. These
west-coast Brahmins are extraordi-
narily strict. They have it all their
own way in these parts, and look on
Europeans as the mud under their
feet"
One day rode into our compound
just at noon. The house was under a
spell of noontide quiet wan
dering wind from the sea stirred the
heavy palms, and rustled among the
jack-fruit. happened to glance in
passing at a large fig-tree overhanging
the wall which enclosed the zemin-
dar's domain; there, shining among
the green leaves like a flower, I des-
cried a white face-the face of a girl
of my own age. ct must be imagina-
tion," I said to myself, not a little
startled.
looked UP again; yes, it was still
there-a colorless, beautiful face,
framed in quantities of soft golden
hair. The vision was about to with
draw, but held up my hand with a
gesture of entreaty.
ooh, don't go!" I implored. "I've
not seen awhile woman for three
months. Please stay, and tell me what
you are doing in there"
IL was a-watching for a-you," she
answered, speaking with peculiar de.
liberation, as If English were an un-
familiar tongue; II do watch to see
you every day when >they'-and she
jerked her head backward-"are
asleep-after food.'
who are they?".
People in here-where lve-al.
ways"
But surely you are a European?-
they are natives" I objected.
my mother was a native; of Nair
caste-a Brahmin woman; these are
her folk"
"Do you like being shut up?"
moi" she answered quickly. ooh,
you are SO young and happy, and free
1t makes me glad to look at you!"
"But you must come aid look at me
here, at home. I shall be thankful for
your company. / have many lonely
hours"
Il also. But no, no, mol can never
60 to you"
"How old are you," I questioned.
Sixteen, I think"
you look older; and your name?"
"Aralee they call me-my fathers
name was Memo"
"And where is he?"
II wish knew! He left this seven
years ago. He may be dead-like my
mother-but something says No.
Every day watch for him--and every
night pray that he may soon return"
and tears rolled down her face.
Perhaps he will. Do you know any
thing of him?"
mot much. Since l was small, ]
can recsll him here. He bought this
bungalow-it is his-and he spent
much time here, and in the forests.
From him learned English, and
when he was laid up with a broken
leg he taught me to read. Oh, did
love him! and I rode on pony by his
side, and he told me tales of fairies.
How happy I was! Then he was called
away to England-and has never come
back. After long while my Uncle
Narayana came to live here, then my
mother died, and-that is my life"
II want to do something for you,"
l cried. Can not come to see your"
well, tell you something. In three
days Narayana, the zemindar, and
most of his mankind. go to the great
yearly festival, to battle and to offer
sacrifice. He will be away about. two
or three weeks. You go and see Raw
his wife. and the womsnfolk talk
and fiatter and please-Wear all your
jewels-and then she will let you
speak to Aralee. Now, there Is your
chance" 4. IS
What tale I had to relate to Rob-
bic that evening!
You can imagine that lost no time
: