arted for Bhulwana without
attempting to spend even the beginning of the hot season there. Netta
Ermsted also decided against it though Mrs. Ralston declared her
intention of going thither, and she and Tessa departed for that
universal haven The Grand Stand before any one else.

This freed Mrs. Ralston, but Stella had grown a little apart from her
friend during that period at Kurrumpore, and a measure of reserve hung
between them though outwardly they were unchanged. A great languor had
come upon Stella which seemed to press all the more heavily upon her
because she only suffered herself to indulge it in Everard's absence.
When he was present she was almost feverishly active, but it needed all
her strength of will to achieve this, and she had no energy over for her
friends.

Even after the move to Udalkhand had been accomplished, she scarcely
felt the relief which she so urgently needed. Though the place was
undoubtedly more airy than Kurrumpore, the air came from the desert, and
sand-storms were not infrequent.

She made a brave show nevertheless, and with Peter's help turned their
new abode into as dainty a dwelling-place as any could desire. Tommy
also assisted with much readiness though the increasing heat was
anathema to him also. He was more considerate for his sister just then
than he had ever been before. Often in Monck's absence he would spend
much of his time with her, till she grew to depend upon him to an extent
she scarcely realized. He had taken up wood-carving in his leisure hours
and very soon she was fully occupied with executing elaborate designs
for his workmanship. They worked very happily together. Tommy declared
it kept him out of mischief, for violent exercise never suited him in
hot weather.

And it was hot. Every day seemed to bring the scorching reality of
summer a little nearer. In spite of herself Stella flagged more and
more. Tommy always kept a brave front. He was full of devices for
ameliorating their discomfort. He kept the punkah-coolie perpetually at
his task. He made the water-coolie spray the verandah a dozen times a
day. He set traps for the flies and caught them in their swarms.

But he could not take the sun out of the sky which day by day shone from
horizon to horizon as a brazen shield burnished to an intolerable
brightness, while the earth--- parched and cracked and barren--fainted
beneath it. The nights had begun to be oppressive also. The wind from
the desert was as the