The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-05-27

!: THE PURPLE GOD. !;
By WILLIAM MURRAY GRAYDoN. Copyright, 1904.
O.


guards suspected what GRAND they
meant; and under the archway and
through tho outer town trotted the
bloodstaned eleven. rousing the inhabi-
tants by tho unaccustomed noise..-
DR.. Mackindcr was q poor sleeper, and
1t CHANGED that no had risen early that
| morning and gone out OF tho residency
into the bungalow compound to look for
moths. Flo had Just discovered Il rare
specimen in the dewy grass, and was
STOPPING eagerly to pick 1t up. when he
heard tho riotous voices and tho drum
OF hoofs.
CHANGING over tho wnil he saw with
surprise. through his gold-rmmed spec
tacles. tho troopers in silver gray riding
along the street. And on the Same In
slant they saw him.
CHAPTER #xIv-CONTINUDD.
Stay tho feringhee'
Half dozen threats shouted the cry.
AS manly pistols were leveled. There
was n squirting Jet OF flame. q murder
GUS volley, and the harmless old man
fell dead. riddled with bullets. beneath
the flutterIng folds OF the British flag
SO perish all infidels!" Matadeen Lal
said complacently, as no restored his
smoking weapon to its holster.
He galloped on with a fine bearing at
the head OF his men. They came to tho
gates OF tho inner town, won their way
through with scant speech. and went
gathering up tho steep stony street.
overtopped on both sides by high. mar
row. many-bnlconied houses. with lat
which peeped faces old and young.
swarthy men and pretty women and
girls, all curious to know what was dis
turbing the peace OF Jhalapur ut this
early hour.
They saw only a flash OF sIlyer-gray
and orange. CLINT Of steel and furry
NJ chod honYa ~ cH he
summit OF the rock and Numbered at
the gates. Bairam Khan. the captain
of the guard, held parley with them
from n spy hole overhead.
What mad tnle is this r. he demanded.
E''What brings yo from Mecrut?"
'Mcerut no longer exists!" they re-
piled. 1T lies in ashes. and oil tho
fcringhees are consumed by firo and
sword. Long 1.-Two the king"
Long live tho king!" Balram Khan
echoed fiercely.
He FASTENED off to bear the first news
to his master. and very shortly his su-
bordnates opened the gates to Matadeen
aI1l and his men.
Through portal and archway. over
Tagged court and pavement. they
struck sparks from the ringing iron OF
their steeds, and soon they were clam
oring under the carved and gilded ia
cade of the palace itself.
The rnjah did not long try their pa
tience. He presently appeared on Il bal
cony that jutted out above them. and
with him were two others-Azim Ullah
and tho Maulavi. The troopers rent the
air with loud cheering and applause.
and then Matadeen Lal. acting as spokes-
man, proclaimed his news.
Chandra sngh's rigid face masked
whatever he may have felt. He listened
attentively, and having gathered by
questioning clear idea OF what had
taken place. he gave tho messengers q
diplomatic expression OF approval md
dismissed them with promise OF food. .
drink and rupees. With q final cheer
they rode away under tho guidance OF
Bairam Khan.
But the rajah's countenance was
gloomy. and there was fire Of anger
in his eyes when he stepped into the
palace with his companions
IT feared this" no said, Il knew that
Meerut was source of danger. 1t
wants two moons to the destined time.
yet now the fuse Is lighted, and tho tide
of instruction will surely spread.
at is the will Of Allah" tho Maulavi
replied, piously. Ills hand will lead US
TO victory"
"There is no cause for anxiety" ex-
claimed Azim Ullnh, In whose brain
we're stored secrets Of his own. and who
was far from Ill pleased at tho turn af-
fairs had taken. why should not the
blow be struck now, instead OF later!
For weeks past all has been been n r., rea ,ha
Sepoys of the Bengal army have waited
with such patience
''My children will rise to n man." de-
cInred the Maulav!. BE OF GOOD heart.
most high, and fear nothing. There VIII
be tidings from Delhi ere mo uay -
over"
II confess that am troubled" said
the rajah II was not prepared for this"
"But your word Is given" Interrupted
Aim Ullah. surely, your highness.
am not to return to the Mana and tell
him that your heart weakensY
swered sharply. What have promised
/ shall perform, Since the train Is fired
the opportunity must be ripe. There dare
be no faltering or hesitation now
Ho turned abruptly. and as he gazed
through the window at tho fortress walls
and the sloping roofs OF the town, and
tho fair, green stretch of tho country be-
You'd, he asked himself with heavy heart
whether he was making mistake, doing
n mad thing; whether he might not IN the
end, instead of winning back the glory
of his ancestors. DO stripped OF what pow
er and wealth the hated EnGllsh hhu per-
mitted him to retain,
'"roo latel" he reflected. II have staked
my ALL must play the game to the I'm
Meanwhile, from n window easement
above tho balcony. with her pretty rce
peeping between the curtains Fora had
listened to the narrative told In triumph
by Matadeen I.al. She understood Its
meaning, for she was not ignorant Of the
great conspiracy. 10
She watched the troopers ride away TO
their we'll earned reward, ana then she
looked with sad and wistful eyes across
the dawn In tho direction OF Meerut, as
if she would pierce the veil of distance.
A hot tear dropped on her jeweled hand;
supplicntion rose to her lips.
"He was not caught. so he must have
reached Meerut In safety. Did he perish
in the massacre?-but no, tho hayildar
said that the feringhee soldiers escaped.
May tho God of his people protect him!'
There was much tumult In the town
that day md much Sharpening OF wea-