Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1908-10-21
Short Stories For Evening Hours
AT THE CLUB IN CEYLON


ed her to the saddle.
Slowly they mounted higher and
higher by the narrow zigzag path
leading to the gap whence they
would descend to the bungalow on
the other side of the hills. The sun
had dipped out of sight over the mis-
ty hills across the valley, and the
great clouds came scurrying out of
the northeast, driven onward by the
rising wind.
The darkness came swiftly over
them as they climbed the hillside,
and the valley, far below, with the
little clubhouse and tennis courts,
was swept out of sight by the driv-
ing mist.
81 am afraid we are going to have
storm" said Bradshaw at last.
Jones promised to have n coolle
with lantern at the gap to light us
down the other side. It's ticklish
work riding down the side of n
mountain in the dark by these es-
tate tracks. hope you are not ner-
vous. Miss Moore?"
Not In the least" she said. 81
have done this lots of times before,
and | shan't mind getting wet. Here
it comes" she continued, as the first
heavy drops of the storm splashed on
them.
The rain came down in sheets and
drove against them as the horses
scrambled slowly up the slope. In u
| minute they were wet to the skin
As they neared the top they plunged
into the forest of trees, and the path
was hidden by the darkness.
At last glimmer OF light in the
distance showed that the promised
coolie was at his post with the Ian
| tern, and In obedience to n shouted
command from Bradshaw the girl
! gave her horse his head and let him
pick his way after the other.
Gradually the noise increased, and
the pelting sheets of rain became
heavier, till the ilickerlng light PROV
ed unable to withstand their on
slaught, and went out suddenly.
Bradshaw shouted something to
the coolie, but the man, with the
stupidity of his race, jumped to the
conclusion that punishment for the
| mishap was about to be visited on
him, and bolted. Bradshaw's shouts
produced no answer, and they were
left on the side of the hill in the
middle of the northeast monsoon
unable to see foot In front of them
1--WE must go on as best we can,
shouted Bradshaw. Leave every.
thing to the horses. We are safer
on than off them"
The horses seemed to understand
and picked their way slowly down
the precipitous slope. All. went well
for time. and Bradshaw was be-
ginning to congratulate himself that
the worst was over, when they came
to drain crossing the path. 1t had
been trickle of water in the morn.
ing, but the roar of the torrent rush
Ing over 1t warned him that 1t was
probably impossible. After mo.
ment's hesitation he resolved to leave
1t to his horse and trust to its in.
stinct II II refused.
"I'll 20 through first" he shouted
I"l'll call to you If it's all right"
The horse faced 1t without balk.
ing, and with a splash and a clattel
of hoofs on stones he was through
greatly relieved to find that Il was
much less formidable than had ap
peared from the noise. The girls
horse, resenting the feel on IT.
mouth preventing It's following, grew
FESTIVE, fidgeted, and slipped foot
over the side OF the narrow path
Bradshaw pulled up on the other sid,
and heard the clatter.
There was a scream, followed b,
the noise of heavy body falling
down the slope. and the sQueal of {
frightened horse. He sprang iron
his horse. left 1t to its own devices
and waded into the water, shouting
as he WENT
Miss Moore, where are your" h,
, called, his voice trembling with emo
tion. cry came from below him.
, Grace, are you hurt?" he said
: "Call to me again and will find m,
, way to you"
I'm all right. | think" said
voice in tremulous accents. 81 an
, trying to climb up. but don't know
= where my poor horse is"
, Bradshaw, his feelings suddenly r
leased from the strain, was guilty @
: a remark with reference to the I'm
r fortunate horse which scarcely cor
/. veyed sympathy. Following tn
sound of his voice, the girl climbe
| slowly to the path and waded int
}. the stream. Midway across her out
r stretched hands touched him. an
4 the next moment she was held clos
In Il strong embrace.
@ 81 love YOU" he said, simply,
q have always loved you"