The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-03-29
A STORY OF INDIA.

A group of British officers were seated
in the quarters of one Of their number in
the garrison at Calcutta. Chester Ashby,
captain of dragons, seemed the most
deeply Interested
at Is certainly strange" observed
young lieutenant, "where Miss Blatchford
could have disappeared to- That 1t Is a
case of abduction there is little doubt in
my mind, but who is there who would
dare to perpetrate such crimep"
II know not, WILL" returned Ashby,
"but as suro as there Is heaven above us
/ will find her, If have to search through
every palace and howell in India. Gontle-
men, she is my aflianced bride, and dead
or alive find her willp'
AS the young soldier crossed the parade
ground white robed, dusky form followed
closely behind him. When the two reached
a spot where the light which streamed from
the barrack windows did not penetrate, the
native touched the European gently and
whispered:
"Would Ashby sahib find the lost maid
en-? If so, Ali can direct him to where she
fingers.
"What You?''
"Sahib, she is even now a prisoner in
the palace Of the rajah of Judpore.
"Whatl In the power of that heather
prince? BY my sword, I'll go to the colo
mel at once and ask permission to order
out my dragons and tear his glittering
abode down about his ears.
"Stay, sahibr' quickly rejoined the
faithful servant. "If English soldiers
were seen about the palace of the rajah,
the feeble spark of life which still flutters
In, ha nf xxyli to
die"
"Whatp Would the villain murder herr"
"Sahibl Ali has said the maiden would
die and leave no trace of her death. Lis
ten, sahib. The slaves of the rajah are the
friends of Ali, and 1t is they who have told
him of their masters captive. Would Ash
by sahib enter the palace of the rajah un-
accompanied, save by Ali?''
"Why does the light Of the rajah's eyes
| weep? 1t should bring joy to the heart to
be the chosen one of SO great lordl" and
lovely Hindoo girl knelt at the feet of
Agnes Blatchford, who was sobbing Bit
terly.
She offered no reply to the kindly meant
speech of her companion. Presently the
damask portiere at one end of the saloon
was lifted and the rajah himself entered
"When Will the light of my life cease
weepingP And when will a smile adorn
the face of her who is loved by the rajah
of Judpore?"
! Agnes Blatchford sprang to her feet and
turning upon her prosecutor exclaimed,
"Never, wretch, never, until she is re-
stored to the home of her father
| The native prince might have made an
swer had it not been for the entrance of a
sable Nubian, who, falling fiat upon his
face, begged forgiveness for the intrusion
"Speak, slave. What would you at this
time9''
"Most mighty and powerful rajah, ~
said the black. "Will it please the son of
a king to look upon that which his servant
has brought hm?''
1.-THE curiosity of the rajah is aroused.
Let him see.
! The Nuban arose and left the apart
ment, but reappeared in n moment, usher
ing in u closed palanquin, which was borne
upon the shoulders of four blacks like
| himself
A sardonic smile played about the lips
of the rajah as he stepped forward to lift
the rich curtain Of the litter. The next
moment he started back in horror, with
his right hand clasping the hilt of his
soimeter.
But before he could draw the blade the
sword of Captain Ashby was at his throat.
''Wretcbl" exclaimed the soldier "Were
you Christian, would award you mo-
ment to make your peace with the AL
mighty! But, infidel dog that you are,
look your last upon things earthly, for
your time has comer'
The rajah essayed to call for assistance,
but the call died away upon his lips, for
L., foh A..
were rapidly filling the apartment Lieu
tenant Carleton sprang forward and struck
up the blade of his captain.
''Your pardon, sir! Do not forget and
overstep your authority. This rajah is a
man in high position. The British gov
eminent should deal with him.
Lieutenant, thank you, " returned the
captain, with more composure. "Secure
our royal prisoner well. hold you re.
sponsible for his safety"
1t was now that Captain Ashby first
seemed to take notice of the girl whom he
had rescued. Springing to her side, dis
regarding the presence Of his soldiers the
captain clasped her in his arms
The faithful Ali had, as he said, OBJ.
tanned the information as to the where
abouts of the young English girl from the
servants of the native prince, who, with
out exception, hated tine tyrannical despot
1t was he who suggested to the captain tc
effect the rescue of Miss Blatchford by en-
tering the abode in a palanquin, for he fell
that If his master could reach the side OF
the young lady he could protect her from
the fury of the rajah until his soldiers
could gain an entrance and come to his
support.
Today the bappiest woman in India is
the young wife of the captain of dragons,
while the rnjah Of Judpore has been de-
posed from his high rank and made TO pay
an enormous sum for his audacity in alb
Quoting from her home an English lady
Omaha World-Herald.
Cnrsa;r xybn Uaca,na an Ar,th;aIon