The Star of India

by Edward Sylvester Ellis

"I imagine it is nothing serious," said her husband when some minutes had passed, "otherwise we should hear more of it."

"The pistol was probably discharged to let the Ghoojurs know that our friends are on the watch," suggested Marian.

This theory was accepted, the three naturally believing that if there was anything worth telling they would hear of it. The conversation went on as before, until the hour became so late that Mr. Hildreth requested them to retire for the night.

Marian and her mother withdrew to the smaller apartment, where, with the aid of their shawls and outer garments, they made the best couch they could upon the flinty floor. The missionary himself, while awaiting the coming of one or more of his friends, fell asleep and did not wake until morning. It was much the same with his wife, but far different with his daughter.

The latter rested quietly until about the turn of night, when she found herself wide awake, without understanding the cause. The extreme sultriness of the evening oppressed her, and she concluded her wakefulness was due to that. It will be borne in mind, too, that she had slumbered more than usual during the preceding twenty four hours, and therefore was in no special need of sleep.

There was nothing to do but to lie still and think. The gentle breathing of her parent at her side showed that she was unconscious, and Marian took care not to disturb her. Her brain seemed to be unusually busy, and the longer she lay the more wakeful she became, until she was convinced that she would have to pass the long dismal hours in that fashion until morning.

She was half inclined to rise and pass into the entrance way, where she supposed Luchman, Avery and Harkins were keeping guard. She knew they would be glad to see her, though they might object to the increased danger in which she would be placed. At the same time a gentle feeling of delicacy restrained her, and she decided to stay where she was.

"It is dreary enough for us all," she reflected, "and my place is beside my mother, even though she would not miss me."

She had lain awake, as she believed, about an hour, still oppressed by the heat, when she became aware that the apartment was cooler, as though a gentle current of air was blowing in.

She did not understand it, since the only means of ventilation was through the circular openings around the upper part of the room, and the door which was closed.