Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-08-31

CHAPTER VII. (COntinucd)
eyes; nor do understand from
whom it comes. All" he added, tear
ing open the letter "still another invi-
ration but Of a very different nature.'
and he read aloud the following lines:
'"The Princess Djella begs Sir John
Malcolm, civilian. of the Presidency Of
Benares, and his sons to do her the
honor to assist at a panther hunt, on
Thursday next. September q. After
the hunt the princess hopes to see her
guests at supper at Schahabad.'
"A panther hunt" exclaimed George.
"Ah, father, nothing could be more de-
lightful!'
but there is danger" murmured
Agnes. "Oh, dear guardian. decline
this invitation. beg you!'
II have very strong reasons. dear
child, to. accept. But YOU need not
fear. We will not wantonly expose our
lives. Your love renders them too pre-
cious."
'But who is this Princess Djella"
asked George.
''She is Il descendant in direct line of
the Tamerlides. and possessed of one
of those gigantic and limitless fortunes
of whose extent our greatest wealth
can form no idea. Entire provinces be-
long to her. She exercises almost alb
solute rights of sovereignty. She has
palaces at all the large cities OF India
at Calcutta, Agra, Delhi and Il dozen
more. Her country houses. which de-
serve the name Of palaces. are as many
as the days of the year: her influence
Is, Of course. Froportionately immense,
and if she were not the faithful frieH!
Of the Company, she might bHcome lis
most dangerous enemy.
"You have never doubted her file!-
ity?'
mo: for on several occasions she has;
given of it indisputable proofs"
SIS she married."
cat eighteen she was Il widow. Slln
is now scarcely twenty-five. and one CT
the most wonderfully beautiful women
that the Imagination of a poet might
conceive. The singular light i'll her
eyes, the warm pallor of her complex
ion, the splendor of her black hair. are
incompatible"
"Ah, Sir JOHN interrupted Agnes.
with an involuntary shud'lcr, chow
lovely that woman must be-
Every lovely, dear child; but less so
than yourself. About her unquest!oned
and fascinating beauty is something
singular and almost repulsive. Near
her, one does not feel as with you. the
charm of purity and innocence
Agnes thanked her guardian with a
smile, but an underlined trouble Still
weighed upon her. 1t was the dawn OF
Jealousy within her heart
HAS this Hindoo princess who in
vites to a panther hunt as an English
duchess to a tea, preserved the man
ners and slightly savage customs of
her ancestors?' asked George.
''She. is the most singular contrad:c-
ton in the world" answered Sir John.
"She is as completely a woman Of the
world as the most honorable and IT,
tiled lady in all England. She has re-
ceiyed most thorough and brilliant
education; she speaks English and
French as though she had been born in
London or Paris; She has travelled
throughout Europe; she has danced at
the Tuileries; She has painted and
drawn from nature from the loveliest
sites in Italy and Switzerland, and
skilled artists who have seen her work
declare that it's execution is marvellous
She imports her jewels from London
her toilets from Paris. Her French
cook came to her from one Of the
finance kings of France. One might
not push farther the extreme of refine
ment and civilization, AMI yet, the prin-
cess has preserved all the beliefs and
superstitions and prejudices Of her
race. She, whose elegance might rival
any woman's: she. who has visited the
<lroI nnv,
is and st. Peters at Rome. vet abso-
lItely believes herself descended from
the god Vishnu, and kneels with pro-
found and ardent conviction in the
Temple of silva or Bowhanie. If one Of
these terrible Hindoo divinities should
demand. to-day, through the mouth OF
their priests. a human sacrifice, [ am
confident that this charming woman,
who would be found charming in any
country Of the globe, would stand by
and assist at the torture with a smile,
even thought her victim were her lat
est partner in the dance'
Horrible" said George. "She is a
monster
Gin fashion-yes. She is of her
country and her race, and instinct is.
with her, stronger than education. She
lives in the midst of luxury. of which
we, as Europeans. can form no idea.
To cross the threshold Of one of her
palaces is to be transported from real
tty into fairyland."
"Of her personal life, what is said?''
Nothing. If her public life is known,
her private life is so completely yelled
that it defies Investigation"
"Why does she not marry againw
Sir John smiled.
THAT is question she alone can an
/ swer," he replied. Put it to her, If
you will, but understand that the hour
she discovers widowhood to be n bur-
den, the asplrants to her hand would
be al numerous as the stars in the sky
or the sands upon the shore.