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

the bungalow. Farewells were eN-
changed, and new promises of pru-
dence and speedy return given, before
the little cavalcade Yves permitted to
start; Sir John and his two sons going
before: Stop and Kazil following be-
hind.
In two hours they had reached the
forest of Picara, where We're already
gathered large number of horsemen,
conspicuous among whom was Lord
Singleton, who approached Sir George,
as, at little distance. was heard tri-
umphant flourish of trumpets an
ncuncing the arrival of the princess
and her suite.
You do not know. the princessY'
questioned Lord Singleton.
mo, my lord,
'Your father, then, will present you;
! but have one piece of advice to offer.
| Place over your heart q shield Of triple
! bronze, to preserve yourself from a
great danger-the danger of falling in
love with the princess"
Sir Johns eldest son smiled incredu-
lousy.
do not SMILE" answered the govern
or, land, above all, do not doubt the
truth of what [ say. The princess, 1
assure you. is seductive. almost ire
siStiblc. and when you have seen her
you will be, l am convinced, of my
! opinion
My lord" answered George, doubt
! neither her attractions nor her charms,
but | am invulnerable."
In his turn Lord Singleton smiled.
"Invulnerable?" he repeated ''You
are Sure?"
"Quite sure. possess an all-pOwer-
full shield-love! The heart of Agnes
| purtelrs betrothed can beat for no WO-
man but her!'
"You are right" answered the gov
ernor. II had forgotten your engage
| ment with one of the most charming of
my countrywomen. Yes; you are right,
to love ardently, loyalty, wholly. Hap
by the young girl to whom your heart
so entirely belongs-happy, indeed, is
she to be worthy to inspire such deyo-
toni
At this moment the princess and her
followers appeared in sight. Preceding
her, and little in advance, were
INclNc llluSlSl'llAS, uIeSScu Ill purple
and silver, and mounted on horses of
spotless wilderness. After these, on
StceGs of midnight blackness, came n
guard OF Amazons, numbering twenty
five. with helmets of polished steel,
surmounted with white plumes. Be
hind this graceful bodyguard rode the
princess surrounded by the principal
officers of her household. and at her
right a Hindoo prince, the Rajah Door
gal Sahih, destined to play in our story
Il most important part. Then followed
a second detachment of amazons,
while Il large number Of Wallets, splen-
didly mounted on fresh horses, des-
tined for the princess guests, closed
the procession.
The princess was dressed in Euro
pean fashion, in simple habit Of blue
cloth, cut by the most celebrated tailor
Of London. A narrow white collar en-
circled her throat; gray felt hat, in
which was long red plume, was set
gracefully upon the thick and shining
! braids. She rode superb horse, hold
ing the reins with the left hand, and in
the right a curious and beautiful whip.
This simple toilet was extremely be-
coming. The close-fitted habit revealed
the exquisite beauty of her form, the
perfect roundness Of her arms. Never
in all the glory of her jewels and pre-
cious stones, and in the midst of the
most sumptuous of her apartments,
had the Princess Djelia been more en-
trancingly beautiful.
Some mysterious emotion, whose
cause we may divine, caused her heart
to beat violently and her eyes to dilate
with wonderful light. Her nostrils
quivered, her lips trembled, a faint
rose-tint crept into her pale cheeks, as
she drew rein near George Malcolm.
Lord Singleton and his three country.
men advanced to meet her.
Thanks, my lord! Thanks, gentle
menu she cried, saluting them with
her hand. "You have accepted my in
vitation. l am most grateful, though,
I! from your courtesy, expected not
/ less"
! In hearing her speak, George trem-
/ bled. Somewhere, it appeared to him,
that he had heard that voice before;
| but that the unknown in the velvet
mask was one with the Princess Djella
never entered the remotest realm of
| his imagination. He regarded her at
tentiyely, and found her superbly beau
tiful; but no INNER emotion revealed
to him that he had EMBODIED in his em-
brace this woman. whose beauty and
power were all unrvalled.
Princess" replied Lord Singleton,
kissing her hand, 1--WE are alike proud
and delighted to be permitted to rem
der our homage to India's real sover-
eignv'
"Too much gallantry, my lord!" cried
| the princess, laughing. '.Of the crown
! which my ancestors wore, nothing is
left me but the diadem of my black
hair" Then. turning toward Sir John
Malcolm, she added: "You have come
and have brought your sons. Believe
me. l am, indeed, happy!"
Princess" answered Sir John, "youl
remembrance was an honor; nothing
could have pardoned my declining
I Permit me to present to you my eldest
! son, Sir George"
Djella lifted her eyes to the young
Englishman regarding him for several
moments so fxedly that he felt almost
embarrassed under her gaze.
! "Welcome among us, Sir Georgev
she said, at last. II have many times
I, followed the chase in England, hunting