Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-09-14

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descended the great staircase, and adj
dressing the young officers.
''DO you know, gentlemen" he asked
eff our friend, Sir John Malcolm, has
arrived at the palace?"
1--WE have not yet seen him." an
swered A[idley.
that he is not present." added another
DOUBTLESS he is immersed in one OF
those mysterious judicial investiga
tons whose end no one exactly under
stands. but which so completely alb
sorb him.
DOUBTLESS, my lord" affirmed Lieut.
Midlcy.
But, as he spoke. on the, highest step
of the staircase appeared Sir john
youngest son, accompanying his fan
Gee. Her;l Burtell, and her sister Agnes
Lord Singleton was the first to dis
cover them.
ALI" he exclaimed. "here is Sir Ed
ward With Sir Johns wards! He will
be able to bring us news of his father
You bring us Sir .John?" he asked, after
II formal interchange Of cuurtesies.
NO, my lord" answered the young
man. 81 hoped to find him here"
I'VE have awaited him. replied the
Governor, land are surprised ut his alb
scnce."
! "But it more than astonishes me. y
murmured Edward. ut causes me
great Ineasiness."
And why:'
why? My lord" repeated Edward
Il will explain. My father neither
brcakfasted nor supped With us. He
left the bungalow before daybreak, and
on entering his room, l found his bed
untouched"
Indeed" said the Governor. at ap-
pears very strange
| Zone thing treasures u.s." added Ag-
nes. timidly. My guardian was not
alone. His eldest son accompanied
him and also Stop. Il most faithful
man. and Sir Georges valet. In that
case. you must put aside all thought OF
danger
Yes" added Edward "and it must
also be said that my father has had
the habit of absenting himself in this
fashion, without forewarning anyone y
''1Ah. it is doubtless one of these jour-
neyS he las made. l am convinced we
shall soon press his hand"
I'VE share your hope, my lord"
At this instant hussar announced,
in ringing tones:
".I'he Rajah Doorgal Sahib!'
Quite movement of curiosity was
apparent among the guests to see the
newcomer, whose reputation had pre-
coded him as one of the wealthiest and
most civilized of the HindOo princes
and English allies.
The Governor advanced several steps
to meet him. He was cOStumed in the
Oriental habit, his dress sparkling with
precious stones, and he descended the
staircase surrounded by a numerous
and brilliant suite. Agnes seized He
ra's arm and tremblingly whispered:
Look, Hera-looll! 1t is the man we
so constantly meet, and whose gaze,
! W ilen fixed on my face, burns like Il
flame. and makes me redden in spite OF
myself Hera, am afraid of him. In
scme way this man brings me misfor-
tunc!"
Hera, in answer, pressed her hand.
Nonsense dear!' she said. eff we
meet the prince, it is by accident, and
if he looks at you, it is because you are
so beautiful that I cannot be aston
ished at his admiration. l think him
charming. Besides, our guardian knows
him. Why, then, are you afraid?"
II do not KNOW" murmured Agnes.
II shudder-cannot help it! am, per-
haps, weak and foolish, but it is not
my fault. One cannot control PRESENT.
lnents."
The Governor and the rajah had now
met
welcome, Doorgal Sahib!' said the
former. elm this palace, which is En-
glish territory, I am proud and happy
to reckon you among my guests"
My lord,' responded the rajah, 81
offer to you my hand and my heart fol-
lows it. Our countries are not the
same, our gods are different, but we
are brothers,
sit could not be otherwise" replied
Lord Singleton. ''since England and
India are sisters
Doorsa1 then. perceiving the two sis
ters. FASTENED towards them.
"NIiss Agnes-Miss Hera,'' he said.
with the mlst profound respect. 'Iet
me bend the knee before you rs before
one of the smiling divinities of the
temple. Sir Edward. l salute you.
Shall we not see. this evening, Sir
John. your father:'
DOUBTLESS, prince. since we expect
him." answered Edward.
Il shall await his coming. since
rave one favor to ask Of him.
ga favor, prince?' echoed Hera.
'sWhat may it be?'
$40 be permitted to offer each of you
one of those trihes, pleasing to young
girls, whose sole value in my eyes will
be that it may enhance your beauty"
| "What is it, then?"
A magnificent belt of embroidered
cachemire encircled the rajah's waist
and held his silver-handled dagger, in
crusted with jewels. Doorgal thrust
his right hand into it's ample folds and
drew therefrom two caskets, similar in
shape, which he handed the young
girls, Slightly bending the knee before
them, in Eastern fashion.
With marked hesitation, Agnes re-
ceived hers; but Hera opened the
spring with child-like impotence, and,
with a gesture of astonished admira-
ton, cried:
"How beautiful! Look. nv lord!
Edward-Agnes, look! 1t is wonderful,
superb, dazzling"
permit me to say, Miss Hera," in.
terrupted the prince, "that you exag-