Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-08-24
CHAPTER VII.

had assigned to his son as the perlo"
which much elapse before all his plans
might be revealed to him had passed.
During that time he had redoupleo
his activity in the pursuit OF MS III
vestigations, sometimes leaving tne
bungalow at daybreak, alone and unat'
tended, and remaining absent untli
nirhtfall and often through the nlghe,
not seeking his bed at all.
George and Agnes were now De-
trothed. They felt that they belonged
each to the other; they believed thas
nothing could separate them. Never
could there have been love more ap.
sorbing. more beautiful, than tnat
which existed between them. yet, IN
this world. their sky was too pflsht'
1t presaged storm. ,
one evening, among the letters lying
before Sir John Malcols plate, two
were conspicuous by reason OF Tue
thickness of the satin paper ana tle
size of the seals which closed them.
One of the latter bore an exact repro
duction of the English crest. The 9TH
err offered, in semi-rellef, the 1antastlc
image of Hindoo divinity, with many
heads and a hundred arms.
From the first of these Sir John tore
the wrapping, and, glancing his eyes
over the page, exclaimed, addressing
himself to the young girls:
Here is something, dear children,
which interests you"
what can it beg both asked at
once.
"An invitation to grand fete.'
The young girls clapped their hands.
Sir John then read aloud:
'LOrd Singleton, Governor OF the
Presidency of Benares, prays Sir John
Malcolm. Sir George Malcolm. Sir Eu-
ward Malcolm and the Misses Burtell,
to honor him with their presence at the
palace of the President on Saturday,
September 81
"a fcte by Lord Singleton! A fete
at the palace Of the President whose
spacious rooms and immense gardens
are q mass of marvels. Will it not 6es1
charming?" cried Agnes. ="
"ADre than that, answ>S.cd Sir John.
sit will be superb, and l assure you
that Lord Singleton rivals successfully
Eastern magniicence, and bears so
Ejgh the standard of English courtesy
and British elegance and luxury that it
cannot fail to rouse the pride of the
most eXacting Of his countrymen."
"And," asked Agnes, this fete will
take place next Saturday,"
"Yes."
"And to-day is Monday. 'We have
barely time to arrange our toiletets."
"Coquettes!" exclaimed George, with
a smile.
@Coquettes if it please you" replied
his betrothed; 'but it is certainly our
duty to sustain the honor of our flag.
We wish you to be very proud of us.
We wish to eclipse all the begums, daz-
Zle the rajahs. We wish to be very
beautiful
"Rcally?' said George, smiling again.
"Really: You think. then, the task
will be so very ditiicult?"
80 much so that am going to give
you piece of advice. To be more
beautiful than the loyelieSt, there is
but one thing for you to do"
"And that?'
Remain exactly as you are"
"Flattcrer!" exclaimed Agnes, maxi
ing little threatening gesture with
her finger.
All. daughter Of Eve" he exclaimed
you well know that t1attery for an.
other is for you and Hera but the
truth. | did not know that Lord Sim
sleton knew of my arrival he added.
turning to his father.
Il myself appraised him of it." re-
sponded Sir John. Il have been most
remiss in not before this presenting
you TO him, as told him would have
the honor OF doing. However, from to-
Gay my time will be more at liberty.
To-day l have secured certain nroof
which, heretofore, has always escaped
me, ana which even now is in INV
study. Soon George you Shall know
the result
III is indeed, happy news il YOU can
nn more with u.s. answered George.
we live here as guests whose host ia
always absent. But tell me of LORD
HlnSle1on-ls he Il 20: ng MANI"
-. "plSdidECe He looks forty IN
reality he is almost fifty. His wife
uleu soon after his appointment here
some hfteen years ago. He is sill, q
MldoWer He lives like prince and
eNpends most generously his snlend;d
fortune. Every year he gives this fetn
celebrated throughout the whole Of In
qua. and which. for you, will possess
wonderful interest. At it are pathar usa
all the direct descendants Of thn IA
patilcian races. The descendants o at
1he lamerlides, who pretend TO ha ina
posterlty OF the gods, are represent ,.l,
ana the rajahs, whose names ana COS
TUNES are alike striking All these no
trlclans disdain terrestrial origin ana n.
pretend really to believe that thew
spring from the deities thew wnrshin sa /.
Sir John now examined the ssnnn,
seal sne second
, This is strange" he murmuraa
holding 1t toward George. "Do vn,, sas
this image?' =" you see
~ see frightful and grotesoue ,do, !,
., at is the seal of the Tamerlides '''
This ancient race Of whom Won have
just spOken?" 'ou nave