The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-04-06
with him the garments that Natalie had
been StriDOe1 of ot tba 1,vra

NeSSrh OnautS. ~ courier had been
dispatched to the English authorities in
Calcutta with tho majors report of the
rescue OF the young widow, who had
adapted herself to her new life in the
camp with evident joy, which M;:ior
Ralph Cleveland seemed to share Won
derfully.
1t was q little after midnight. The
stars sllone i'll clear sky; the camp
was wrapped III n silence, broken ut in
tervals by tho cries of the sentrics. Along
its western limit ran Il jungle, from
which rose here and there n gigantic ca
talpa tree
Behind one of these trees, within 25
yards of tho first tents and but Il few
steps from where II sentry passed to and
FRO from time to time, crouchcd Il naked
Hindoo, listening to the sentry IS retreat
ing footsteps. When all was silent, the
skulkcr dropped upon his hands and
knees and crcpt with great caution to
the verge of the Jungle, where he put
his car to the ground Then he crept on,
! swiftly and noisclessly, toward the cen
ter of the camp, stopping ever and anon
TO listen, until he reached Il tent stand
ing III an open space apart from the rest.
Here he flattened himself against the
ground and lay for minute or two
perfectly still, his swarthy form scarce
ly distinguishable from the color of tho
ground. Suddenly he glidcd like Il
Snake along the side of the tent and dis
appeared under the curtain before the
entrance.
On this very night the major felt
strange uneasincss, which prevented his
sleeping, and toward midnight had
thrown himself half undrcssed in the
hammock suspended i'll his bungalow.
But his uneasincss only increased till
1T finally took the form of tlisagrccablc
prcscntmcnt of II forcboding of impcnd-
ing evil. Evil to whom? He sprang up,
and going to the entrance looked ont
into the clear starlit night. Not sound
broke the stiffness. The very silence was
oppressive to him. III the open space in
the center Of the camp be could see the
single tent. A smile broke over his face
Poor little thingr' he murmured
Hers has been an unhappy lot! What
has the future in store for her? How
contcntcd she appears to be hercl How
her beautiful eyes light up every time
we meet! And what Il delightful look
comes into her bcwitching face! Egad,
major, verify believe if you weren't
confirmed old bachelor you would he
falling madly i'll love with old Raha-
doors littlc'-
He cut himself short, his eyes glow
ing like live COILS
Heavens, what was that? He had lust
seen against the shinmcring white can
vas of Natalic'S tent something like a
hitting ShadoW-l human form gliding
along close to the ground and vanishing
at the entrance
Whipping out his pistol-a trusty
friend that never left him i'll that treach-
crous lmld-hc sped silently over the
ground i'll his slippcrcd feet to Natalic's
tent and was about to tear aside the cur
tain when Il low voicc-a man s-struck
his car. He paused and listened
Awake awake, daughter of the
faithfuln' said the voice in Hindoo-
stance "Rousc yourself, for time is
precious if you would escape this night
from the accursed dogs who hold you in
bondagcr'
AT these words the major set his teeth
hard together to keep from uttering Il
great oath and clutchcd his pistol more
firmly.
''Shc sleeps somdly," continued the
voice. which sounded familiar to the
officer, "aS Though she had an easy con
science. But doubtless she is kept under
the Influence Of IL powerful drug that
she may not realize her shame. Natalie,
Natalie, awake! 1t is true friend who
speaks to you-Punjo who used to serve
your father
"Punjon' repeated the major to him
self, with start. by heavens, he is
playing now into the a. nds of the Brah-
mans! 1t shall COS; a traitor dcar!''
Now there came IL little cry of alarm
from Natalie. and her soft voice asked
''Who is there? Who speaks to Nata-
lic?"
''Punjo, your fathers old servant,
who would save you from your disgrace
Listen. The handsome Brahman priest
who led You to the funeral pile and
your people-your fricnds-scnt me to
you''-
II have no friends but the English!"
broke i'll Natalie's voice
''Ah, said the spy, what has the
cunning Englishman been telling you?
He has been bcguiling you with false
words that he might mako you blind to
your shame and mako you his slave"
Slave" murmured the young widow
i'll scornful tone. cit were better to be
his slave than return to the people who
deceived meP'
"Bilt listen, Natalie You need not
return to your people if you do not wish
to. The handsome young Brahman priest
charged me to tell you that he would