Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-28

wrapped her sari round the child and to-
gether they sat shivering and murmuring
lncantations and anon peering out cur.ously
and with awe at the troubled figure of
their mistress
And then on sudden the silence was
broken by cry from the courtyard be-
low: 'Ho-f, Ben Israel Ben Alif, aow,
hither aow."
AT the sound Loda sprang erect and for
an instant stood with her hands clenched
TO her bosom, then she drew them away
dlsdainfuily, and as she heard the dwarf s
voice replying to the call she threw back
ner mead with gesture of infinite pride
that seemed to bode no good for Doctor
Allan Meredith.
Wnen few moments later, he entered
the lower room where she always received
MIN, the girl was lying neglgently among
her pillows the picture of luxurious indo-
lence. She wore great baggy -Turkish
trousers and was draped about in some
pIack gauzy tissue through which her cool
pnant form was suggested. Her naked
rect were but half hid in scarlet sinners
and heavy jeweled nanparas of both silver
and gold weighed down her shapely ankles
She looked at the man with something of
the scornful mockery in her eyes that he
mad seen there on the first night he had
been in this room. He noted II Instantly
ana also the fact that she made no ef-
fort to receive him, barely turning her hea Il
wnen ne stepped through the purdah. She
let him genufiect there before her ard
when she spoke there seemed Some of the
SLOW scorn In her voice that showed in
her eyes.
SO. my lord, thou hast deigned to visit
tne mouse OF the 'sorceress once more; pray
thy horoscope. or the fate in thy hand-or
maybe thou wouldst have little Bod Bal
gaze in the ink-pool. my lord?"
ne looked down at her curiously from a
NIUE distance where he stood partly in the
shadow. His eyes narrowed just a trifie
and the ghost of smile struggled with his
lips as she gfbed at him, but 1t was gone
In an instant, as he answered gravely:
Nay. Eoda Bal, I am not here to de-
mand service from thee, but to render it."
To render service to me? Nay thank
thee; but !, my lord. certainly have no
lieve l have people below who attend to all
my wants"
May, Rani-sahib, am serving thee even
now"
How? Thy speech is subtle. my lord.
and am but woman"
Aye by serving as a target-an I'M
worthy one, doubtless: still a target-for
thy wrath Was 1t for this that thou ddst
call me, Loda Bai?'
II did not call thee"
Then, If thou didst not call, an angel
did, and the voice was like unto thine. For
give me once more for breaking in on thy
privacy and let me depart"
He was moving toward the doorway in q
dignified retreat when the girls voice stop
ped him. 1t was no part of her plan to let
him go thus, and even while he was speak
Ing a new idea seized her. She sat up
among her cushions and spoke imperiously:
II did not bid thee CO. May I not be
touched with bile or in heavy humor, but
thou, who hast declared myself my slave
50 often, must stalk away with sullen sour
mien? Yea, thou hast trespassed; but now
I bid thee stay. There, sit thee down, for
love of all the gods. Are there not pillows
enough, that thou must stand glowering
there? So; that is better. Now 1t seems
that perhaps thou mayeSt serve me after
all, my lord, II thou wilt so condescend,
though did not call thee-mark. that well!
Perchance II was thy Soondai, but surely
twas not l."
$50 may serve the queen. It matters not
who called"
'Wilt thou obey me absolutely and with
out question this night in whatever COM
mandT