The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-03-13
4 STORY OF INDIA.

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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. p" '' u -
ut 10 certainly strange" observed a
young lieutenant "where Miss Blatchford
| could have disappeared to. That II Is q
case of abduction there Is little doubt In
my mind, but who is there who would
dare to perpetrate such crimef"
'"I know not, WILL" returned Ashby,
"bnt as sure as there Ia heaven above us
will find her, IL have to search through
every palace and howell In India, Gentle
men, she is my afilanced 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
aspot 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
emf II SO, Ali can direct him to where she
lingers.p asNe,.'.,'v 'sae
what Your"
"Sahib, she Is even now prisoner In
the palace Of the rajah Of Judpore
what! In'the power of that heather
princef 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" T'',sa
Stay, sahibp' quickly rejoined tho
faithful servant. eff English soldiers
were seen about the palace of the rajah,
the feeble spark of life which still flutters
In the bosom OF the white maiden would
die F' h'"'- '7'''.I -
"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 All, and 1t Is they who have told
him OF their masters captive Would Ash
BY sahib enter the palace Of the rajah UNI
accompanied, save by ALP" ~ ~"
"Why does the light Of the rajahs eyes
weepP 1t should bring Joy to the heart to
be the chosen one of SO great q lordn and
a lovely Hindoo girl knott at the feet of
Agnes Blatcbford, who was sobbing Bit
terly 4''f' = j7's-7
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 viii smile adorn
the face of her who is loved by tho rajah
Of JudporeP"
Agnes Blatchford sprang to her feetand
turning upon her prosecutor exclaimed,
Never, wretch, never, until she Is re-
stored to the home of her father.
Tho native prince might have made an
swer bad it not been for the entrance Of a
sable Nubian, who, falling fat upon his
face, begged forgiveness for the intrusion.
Speak, slave. What would you at this
timeP''
"Most mighty and powerful rajah,"
said the black. "Will 1t please the son of
a King to look upon that which his servant
has brought him2''
"The curiosity of the rajah is aroused.
Let him see. /"
The Nubian arose and left the apart
ment, but reappeared In q moment, usher.
ing in 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 ncxt
moment he started back in horror, with
his right hand clasping the hilt Of his
But before he could draw the blade the
sword Of Captain Ashby was at his throat
"WretchW exclaimed the soldier. "Were
you Christian, would award you mo-
ment to make your peace with the AL
mighty But, infdel dog that you are
look your last upon things earthly, for
your time has comel'
The raiah essnyed to call for assistance
but the call died away upon his lips, for
his eyes fell upon body Of Dragons that
were rapidly filling the apartment. Lieu
tenant Carleton sprang forward and struck !
up the blade Of his captain. ''''i' '''-
Your pardon, sir! Do not forget and
overstep,your authority. This rajah Is a
man in high position. The British gov
should deal with him. ~
Lieutenant, thank you, returned the
,aptain, with more composure. Secure
our royal prisoner we'll l hold you re.
,ponsible 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,
the presence Of his soldiers, the
,aptain clasped her in his arms.
The faithful Ali had, as he said, OBJ
aimed the information as to the where.
lbouts of the young English girl from the
Of the native prince, who, with.
nut exception, hated the tyrannical despot.
t was he who suggested to the captain to
fleet the rescue of Miss Blatohford by en-
ering the abode in n palanquin, for he felt
hat II his master could reach the side Of
he young lady he could protect her from
he fury of the rajah until his soldiers
ould gain an entrance and come to his
Import.
Today tho happiest woman in India is
he young wife Of the captain of dragons,
While the rajah of Judpore has been de.
osed from his high rank and made to pay
60. Il Ill. |