Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1899-11-09
CHAPTER XXNII.

The slow night wore itself away.
Darkness was still supreme, though far
In the east it's veil was lifting at the
mandate of the coming sun. All
seemed sleeping in the silent immensely
Of the palace of Allahabad. The gar
dens were deserted except for a few
human forms vaguely outlined about a
brazier filled with burning charcoal on
the steps leading to the bronze tomb,
which served as a prison house +;
George Malcolm and Hera Burtell. The
red light from the brazier threw q
strange reflection on the angular forms
and half-naked limbs Of the fakir Sou
NANCY and a half-dozen Brahmins
crouched about him in singular and
picturesque attitudes.
Within the monument, and hidden
from those fierce eyes by the solid
door of bronze, Hera knelt, sobbing. on
the stone, her face hidden in her
hands; while George Malcolm. still
wearing his rajah's costume, but with
uncovered head and deSpoiled of his
long, white beard, stood silent and
gloomy, his face embodying supreme
agony and unconquerable grief. He
leaned against the wall, as II his limbs
had failed him Now and then the bit
terness forsOok his expression. and it
rested On Hera with unutterable com.
passion, who prayed aloud until sObs
strangled her voice. George at length
approached and laid his hand upon her
shoulder.
Pray, dear child" he said, but ask
God for resignation, not life. We are
hOpelessly condemned. The door Of
this tomb has closed upon us forever
But what have we done 20 deserve
so terrible a death%' she cried. wiring
ing her hands.
You have been condemned by. the
princess" he answered, coldly, adding,
in a lower tone, as if to himself: And
there is no hope. Powerless, we must
await inevitable death. Yet Kazll babe
me hope. But wherefore? Will he be
able to ave my brother? Will he
think Of Lord Singleton? Does h
know the accused place Of meeting?
Will not. tomorrow, the blood Of NV
c~ountrymen inundate all India?'
While he put to himself these terri
bic questions, Hera stroye to rise, but
fell back through weakness.
George" she murmured. strength
deserts me- am dyingr!'
"Hera, dear Hera, do not speak thus,
Il ntreat your replied George, eagerly.
Goods power is infinite, and His viii
all unknown to us, Until the last mo.
ment there Is time for hope. Saw that
rescue will come. Courage, my child
-~courage!'
"CourageT' she echoed. 'Ts courage
possible, when each hour brings new
t~orturc-when thirst consumes me. and
I feel my reason deserving me-"
"Hera, In heavens name, through
pity"
She interrupted him with q burst OF
convulsive laughter.
"Will you tell me there Is hopper" she
asked. "Ah, you dare not, for ven
yourself DO not believe it!'
Overwhelming rage seized upon
George.
Buried alive!" he cried; land I car.
not break this wall. I cannot batter
down this door, cannot save this
child and hasten to the rescue OF nv
darling. to tear her from the wretch
upon whom Djella has bestowed her
All, II Is this which makes INV heart
leap and M blood boil In my yeinsi
Hera, you are right; this makes mad.
ness: and, like you, I feel my brain
reel!'
Burning fever began to devour the
young girl: she began to be deilrious
Edward" she murmured, in despair
81 shall see you never more! And va,
I love you-oh. so well! IL you knew
how I love you! I will come to you, be.
loved: cannot die without showing
you my hearth
CTo be ConttnuedJ