Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1899-09-21
CHAPTER XVI.

Lord Singleton, sad and silent. took
their leave; the lights were extin-
guished; the fete was over ere it fairly
had begun.
"Doorgal," said the princess to the ra-
jah, 1--WE must tonight have a long in
terview. Accompany me. / beg YOU"
II am at your service, princess" he
replied; and they left together the Pal
ace Of the Presidency.
Djella's palace at Benares was, to all
Europeans, q miracle of art and beau
ty. Constructed of rose granite and
white marble Of the purest Oriental
architecture, it's balconies commanded
the bridge of the Gauges, running
through the center of the city. I'm
mense gardens extended behind 1t. The
princess, leading Doorgal into an ex-
quisitely-appointed boudoir, left him
alone, saying:
"In a few moments I will be with
YOU"
In fifteen minutes she reappeared.
Meanwhile, she had replaced her ball
dress by a wrapper of white embroid-
cred muslin, and her splendid hair, re-
lieved from the weight of the diadem,
hung in long, perfumed braids over her
| shoulders. Two servants followed her,
! bearing a small table. entirely served,
which they placed in the middle Of the
room.
"What, princess" cried Doorgal,
"you are hungry"
'My God-yes!' answered Djella.
"We should have supped at the govern
ors. but that George Malcolm must dis
rupt the fete with his melodramatic
scene. However, the appetite will not
be deprived Of its rights. / intend to
| enjoy this cold chicken and these fruits
| and to drink this amber-colored Here's.
While supping we can talk, for / have
much to say to you. Go, Doorgal, fol-
low my example, and be seated oppo-
| site me-"
The rajah took tae seat indicated,
but on his countenance was depicted
entire establishment.
"Do you know, princess" he asked,
that you are a strange woman
unique, perhaps, in the world!'
Certainly i know, and am proud of
1t. If I resembled other women, /
, should be i~nconsolable. But why this
discovery"
Around us Is being enacted q horri-
BILE and bloody drama, of which we are
and 1.-The mysterious pivot. Yet
you are calm and smiling, as if the
tempest we had gathered must not
burst"
On Djella's lips played a smile which
enhanced, two-fold, her beauty.
'What matters the storm, Doorgal,
when we can direct the lightning?'
who gave you this assurancef"
Myself"
"Take care. princess!"
"And why?"
.sYour blind confidence disturbs me-"
The young woman threw toward him
a curious and ironical glance, as though
she would read his hidden thought.
II read your thought, Doorgal!' she
cried.
what do you see?"
"You are afraid"
ct is true.0
man?'
"Ihe latter"
"His name?'
George Malcolm"
"Why do you fear him?'
hDCCduSc Il Stc III IlIl- III tuxlL COhott-
tutes a formidable foe. He has intelli-
gence and %audacity, and to avenge his
dead father he will recoil before moth
ing-not even the impossible Am /
wrong or right to thus judge himY'
Fright, Doorgal, only you'forget n
thing. 1t is / who am the opponent of
George Malcolm" 81
81 well knew that you are skillful
o-I D,,k xls- ,nUr;.1.xnc~ a..
on his guard. What can you do against
him?'
II ear do ALL"
"Do you know that time presses?"
Tomorrow, from George Malcolm,
there will be nothing more to fear"
Tomorrow echoed Doorgal Sas
hib.
Yes; or, rather, to-day, for it is now
. o'clock in the morning"
"Have you, then, prepared the plan
which Is to bring about this ruinY'
Yes"
"In this plan, am I to play a roley"
"Doubtless-the principal role
"May I know itT'
Certainly. Indeed, to satisfy this
most pardonable curiosity, l have
brought you here tonight"
81 listen, princess"
"And l begin"
Later, we. too, shall learn this
scheme Of Djella's; but it is now sutfi-
cient for us to know that, at its close.
Doorgal, carried away by enthusiasm,
exclaimed:
Princess, you are a woman of gen.
ius!"
/ have never doubted It," Djella an
swered. laughing, Then she added:
$50. you have perfectly understood and
a~rproveT'
Perfectly and entirely"
81 may, then, rely on you?"
"And on yourself"
"You will follow my instructions"
'To the line"
'Then all goes well; and now. more
than ever, | answer for success"
The rajah having taken his depart
ure, though not until the dawn was
breaking. the princess signalled for
Saugor, who instantly appeared before
her.
"Well?" she questioned.
81 have sought, and have found" lie