THE LASS OF THE LILYWHITES.

Evening Star, Issue 12865, 14 July 1906, Page 3

THE LASS OF THE LILYWHITES.

CHAPTER IX

A STORY OF THE INDIAN MUTINY.

By Major R. Stirling, Anther of 'The Bonnie Belle of Waltley,

etc., eta

Mr Watson lost no time on waiting on the money-lender, whom he found to be a man of German extraction named Werner. He was staying at one of the best hotels, and for the greater part of the forenoon had been engaged with clients. Mr Werner was a smart, active man, and he looked with undisguised surprise on the countrified figure of Lawyer Watson, bat on his explaining that he represented Captain Ellerton the money-lendcr'3 features relaxed, and the two at once proceeded to business.

"Captain Ellerton's affairs are , rather complicated," said the money-lender. "Still, I suppose that "can be straightened out," answered Watson promptly. " Yes, money will do many things," returned Mr Werner, rubbing his hands. Lawyer Watson smiled, and at the same time keenly scanned the face of bis companion.

"ioung men will be young men, Mr Watson. Here is a note of Captain Ellerton s liabilities j vou will find it correct.

Doubtless, Mr Werner," answered the lawyer; "but the sum is large," and again he ran his eyes over the document. " Colonel Ellerton, the father of the Captain, is a rich man," was the reply. ' So report says," returned Watson, who did not consider it necessary either to contradict or confirm the money-lender's words. "These accounts and bills, Mr Werner, will require to be very carefully examined, and I presume, Mr Werner, that yon have no objection to releasing the Captain pending a settlement." ° "If you pledge your word to pay the money, he is free," was the quiet reply. i ■ ««? ay ever 5" J ust ' and lawful claim, Mr Werner. You have my word so far, returned Watson. jT. hat^ is sufficienfc - Come with me, and he shall be released without delay," said Werner, whose onlv desire was to get his money. Certain preliminaries having been settled, the two set out to walk to the debtors prison, or " sponging-house," as it was called, which was close bv. On reaching the place, Mr Werner at once made the necessary arrangements, dnrinc which proceedings Watson paced the pavement outside.

Meanwhile the Captain's servant had v Wh i at was takin S P la ™> and, further, had communicated it to the men of his company. Seaton was one of the £1 v *"? ° f thls ' and he losfc n ° time r?ri£f y^ lS T y t °- the entrance of pnson with a determined purpose in his heart. On observing the old lawyer from

.Mr Watson had some'difficulty in recognising the stripling he had know^ft ,™ « £" bßtenei > he «pl*»ed briefly Shot """ *** viUa S 6 S

"ton-opted the impetuous soldier, " there is one subiect vnn £?» "#' aDd hj ia one that S dS to me. Tell me of Lily Clayton." lhe old man regarded him for an in Btant keenly, then said : "TW £ thing to tell." ••-•'... xaere *s no- " But there must be," said the soldier • someone must know the caui of-W disappearance; someone is SJ Ibl Answer the question >"* SUsp,Cions *"»? i the sr The sudden determination and outburst of EUerton such an extent that he had 'come to Ko The difficulty in restraining him fro* attack mg his SU p e rior officer In the street awt Reding w'uich weld have brought \™ .areer.-Even ually, however, he yielded Sin he C SIOnS the lawyer > «5 Cap taw Wlerton passed on unaware of the soldier's threat. e

All that evening Mr Watson was engaged with Captain Ellerton and Mr Wer ner going over the various bills and acSSS Inf- en i h , e C T aptain and the «o°ey lender. Ultimately Lawyer Watson made an offer, which Mr Werner seemed inched to ndwade, bnt when the lawyer S cut to him that the alternative worid be to Ho out of his money indefinitely, and to take the chance of toe Captain returning L,aptain had been ordered abroad in the Queens service, it was impossible to keep ™M n S d f r a "-f fc for debt > « the law would not permit it. Then, again, suppose .he Captain was not to return to England! Werner reflected on this possibility, and knew that if the Captain was to fall a nctan to the dangers of a soldier's life his friends would have no incentive to pay <TOod money on the nail," as the lawyer put it was a temptation, and Werner rehictantly ag-ced to accept Watson's offer. Erne, the usurer's "cent, per cent, —had bten cut down with a ruthless hand but even with this curtailment Wer- ™. "J? 1 d ° ne badly in his transaction W j EHerton. fche matt e' was arranged and the Captain was once more clear of debt.

On the following day the regiment was to bo inspected by Her Majesty the Que.m and the Captain wis anxious that the lawyer should see the spectacle, and obtained permission fcr his admittance to the main dock, where the review was to take place On the morTow the Lilywhites were drawn up in line at the main dock and Lawyer Watson stood shoulder to shoulder ■with the staff at the rear. As Her Majesty walked down the front rank she stopped for a second in front of Jack Seaton and handled the medals on his breast, and the lawyer, who had a very kindly feeling tor Jack as a )hinhoe lad—when it didn t clash with his professional interest—nearly committed hin.self. His hand was on his hat ready to wave it, while a cheer had to be gulped back, ft waj the greatest sight he had ever seen. "Ob '" he though* "just think of it. Jack Seaton, the scapegrace of Dunehoe, touched on the breast Bj the Queen. That is something I have to talk about when I ee t back to the village again." ° The regiment embarked on the- steamship Galopool. che lawyer sailing out to Spithead with it. After saying good-bye to the Oapta.n, the lawyer was making his way to the tender when he noticed Jack Seaton rommg towards him. The lawyer held out his hand. " Good-bye and good luck, Jack " he said '

«Ti Go "n'i )ye ,' Watson," was the reply. It will be long ere I see uncle or any of yon at lioina; perhaps never again. There fou might take that and give it to my tear old uncle. It's a five-pound Bank of •r.ngland note; and remember me to all who ask for me at Dunhoe." "All right, Jack; 111 give it to him, and teU turn you're looking splendid. And remember the eyes of Dunhoe are on you Do your dut* for the honor of the old village. And en many a stricken field, as our narrative will relate, Jack did his duty.

CHAPTER X. HINDOO MTSTKET.-—A OEJTEHAT, BISING EXPECTED. -O'er the wide prospect, as I ga Z 'd around, .Sudden I heard a wild, promiscuous sound, Like broken thunders that at distance roar Or billows murmuriDg on the hollow shore." PO£H.

For weeks Mr Denhclm was ronfined to' bed, a virulent fever following the long exposure he bad beuu subjected to on that night while reluming from the city of Furachabad, and he was confined to the hospital ward of the Mission Station. During this time Mies Allington visited him frequently, and in his unconscious hours how well she tried to sooth the poor sick preacher, and what a love it evoked within her to see the sweet smile on his face, and to hear the gentle way her name waa pronounced while he ky in a state of delirium. Then she heard the true echoes of a heart that annealed to her sensitive nature. She could not misunderstand the natural desire so fervently expressed. Daring this time events in the native ' camp were maturing rapidly. The Fakir had set the twelve liehte in the Square of | Bithoor, and was never certain of the oo- ' operation of the worshipners of Islam. The deposed Emperor, of Delhi had s-ig- | nified that if a successful rising took place ! his supDort might be counted upon. But j the great Hindoo chiefs still hung back, | and the Fakir was desired to reveal the ! future to them. |

A town with about six thousand inhabitants, eight miles to the north-west of Cawnoore, was considered a most suitable spot to undergo this most trying ordeal. It wos situated about a mile from the southern banks of the Ganges, on a slight elevation, the southern exposure being hidden by a. dense wood. The square in the centre of the town was fully a hundred yards wide each way, and surrounded by a wall twenty feet high, with four gateways. Built against the inside of the wall were the shops, or bazaar, and of the south-west division stood the Temple, while the mansion-Jiouse was outside, on the north. To the left of the Temple butrned the twelve lights, and in the centre aat the Fakir.

For twenty-four hours he neither moved nor spoke, the hot Indian sun beating down on him all day. while at night he was wet with the descending dew; but still he sat on. At one o'clock the following day. when the heat was at its highest, tie priestß stood before the Temple. The Nana and the villagers were gathered around, and Uie Fakir, in a dazed, delirious manner, began to mumble wild predictions against the white roan. As he chattered a mist gathered at one end of the square, and from it came small, doll-like white men and women, and fell to the ground in heaps, while drums were beat and horns blown. The Nana at the head of his guard now drew sword, and slashed and hacked at the mimic figures. The mist rolled over the square, and clearing away to the west, disclosed the Fakir standing balanced on one foot on the highest point of the Temple. The slashing finished, the people gathered round, and the Fakir with all his might cried : " Greo,t is the power of Brahma! Brahma is over all," and amid flash of fire and smoke disappeared towards tihe descending sun. Then the priests lifted handfuls of fire from off the golden altar, scattering it over the people, crying : " You are touched with the life of the great spirit; go forth and conquer," the Nana exclaiming : " You are dedicaited by the great God to do a mighty work, and we shall have strength given us to carry it through sucoessfullv."

Simultaneously with this great display, the- High Priest of Islam had blessed a cake of pure salt, and it was sent rouad from station to station and regiment to regiment, each man of fcho true faith touchinsr it with his tongue aa a sign of submission to the will of the Prophet. Mr Denhobn's recovery, although slow, did not reduce the natural energy of either mind or body. When able to" leave the hosnital, as he gained strength, he wandered further afield, and with even greater fervor preached hjr the highways and byways, coming in" contact with all classes of the peoole. He observed the growing discontent amongst the company's native troops, yet he was not surprised that so little was being done to allay the feeling of distrust. The British officers, living away from where their men were quartered, and out of touch with them, if they heard the grumbling, thought little about it.

In Brigadier WornrweH. however, he had a willing listener when speaking on this subject. One afternoon the General, seated within the shade of the verandah of his house, looked musingly at the mighty Ganges as it flawed onwards a few yards away. "Ah," he murmured, "how those juniors boast about our rule in India; they never think they are standing in the crater of a mighty volcano, which at any momeinit may burst and consume the whole of us. Submission is only partial. Aye! it is onlv a seeming submission of the many millions of this vast country to a few British trooos scattered at wide intervale. Even where the company claim to be most firmly established, chiefs are permitted to roam about with an armed following. After all, our trust and strength are in the Sepoy, and if heshould become disaffected, what would be the value of our lives?"

Just at this moment Miss Arlington lifted the bamboo screen and looked in. " Ah, my dear, come here for a minute," said the General.

"Yes," she answered, and lifting a Edit stool, she lan<rhinxrlv said : " May« I come quite near, dear uncle, to bear your dread tul news ?"

"Yes. Alice, come, eit here, I have much to say." Mis 3 Arlington placed the stool as desired, and, looking round, said : " What a lovely spot you have chosen for our tete-a-tete."

"Come, my dear, no joking matter this trouble with our native fellow-subjecte, and you know Mr Denholm said something to me this morning, not quite so important nationally, but almost quite so individually. He wishes to take you away from me. What do you say to such a proposal, Alicef At this direct question Miss Allington's face and neck assumed a bright rosy tint, on seeing which the Brigadier claped his hands, looked her square in the eyes, and said: " Ah, Alice, these tell-tale blushes. Am I answered?"

On her knees beside this stern disciplinarian, clasping the locked hands, she whi'pered, with a choking in the throat: "Uncle, I do love him with all my heart, yet I will not leave you. We must wait." "'Aye, you will have to wart. No good at the present to say whether I approve or not. I have been thinking much about yoa of late, and only this afternoon I made up my mind to send you home to old Donlearie to Aunt Ann. Mrs Arstage leaves for Calcutta on Friday—that is four days hence. Do you think you would be ready to accompany her? Captain Pacer would escort you both a part of the way." During this little speech Miss Allington's face changed from rosy pink to an a. hen hue, and with a grip of the clasped hands she sobbed out: "Uncle, this is a punishment. I can do anything, Uncle Wormwell, but do not punish me for my love for this young missionary." "Alice, dear," soothingly said the Brigadier, "I have no thought of pnnishment. It is my love and care for your protection and safety that prompt me. You cannot know the awful danger that threatens us. or you would agree to go at once. You see thousands of quiet natives moving about, but you do not know the Hindoo character and what they are capable of doing when they break out, rushing everything before them like a flood of pent-up waters when the embankments are forced."

At this moment Captain Pacer came into the verandah, and, with a grave aspect, saluted his superior officer. The Brigadier rose to his feet. "Has anything serious happened, Captain?" he *sked. "Serious enough, indeed, General,'' he answered. "The discontent at Meerut "hag had more serous results than at Barrackpore. The cavalry troops have broken into the gaol, rescued their comrades, burned the cantonments, and are now on their wav to Delhi." J

" That is bad news, indeed," assented the Brigadier. Then, after a paure, he asked: " But what act'on has General Hugat taken to restore order?"

" Oh, only chased the mutineers a few miles out of the station."

I Giving the chief a .-ign that he had still more to tell, he looked towards Miss Ailington, as much as to say " I do not wish you to hear." but in answer to the look the ; Brigadier said: "You may sank oufe. Pacarj Alice can

be trusted. We were just arranging far her leave-taking when you entered.*' "1 wish that step had been taken months ago, General, /or Delhi is now in the hands of the mutineer.-:, and the fate of the Europeans is unknown, but the rumors are awful. Other outbreaks are reported, and you know our position here. Can you trust the Nawab, the people, or the troops?" "The, outlook is bad. Here we are, and if the Sepoys mutiny we need not ask the Nawab's protection. The fort, with its mile of mud walls, could not be held long, even with 500 European soldiers, and we have none. If the women and children could be sent down country they might be slaved. For us there is only one chance, and that is m the loyalty of the native troops," said the General, with grave ear nestness.

After a long disenwion between the two, it was agreed that two covered boats should be acquired, and the women and children sent to Allahabad, and thence to Calcutta. By the end of May this arrangement was carried out to a certa ; n extent, but only a few of the women rould be induced to undertake such a trying and dangerous journey. Miss Allington was one of the few, her unci* insisting that she must show an example (To be continued.)