The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1906-12-28
me stealthily IS passed into tie
presence of Raw. q 3s 5st


I line stealthily as Il passed into tie
presence Of Raw. IS
Ravi-a stout, youngish woman
was seated crosslegged on . string
bed; her hair was adorned with gold
her arms with many bangles. her nose
and ears with jeweled rings. She wore
9 rich orange silk saree fthe Brahmin
COLOR. and was evidently pleased at
my visit. The ayah interpreted with
volubility, and many women listened
to our conversation. She asked my
age. number Of my children. my hus
bands income, what paid my SER
wants. and why we came to Ahno
more? She piled me with childish
questions about England, and ex.
amined and tried on ali my ornaments
one by one. presented the amber
beads. and casually, before leaving,
preferred my request that the girl who
lived with her might now and then
spend q day with me. as I was so
lonely.
"of truth. I see no HARM" she
answered, "for she mopes, and grows
thin and ugly; but she must see nc
men. Promise that, by your God, and
our GODS"
mo men, except my husband" j
amended.
After long whispering and discus
sion I gained my point, and departed
In high glee, and high, fattered my
self, In the estimation of my hostess.
Aralee duly appeared the next morn.
Ing, conveyed in a closed palanquin
When she stepped out, saw that she
was unexpectedly tall and slim. She
looked half frightened, and as I took
her hand and kissed her, her eyes
were brimming with tears.
ooh. you are good!" she whispered
and make me so, SO happy!"
1t was pitifully easy to please ana
entertain the poor girl; everything
she saw was novelty and, delight!
Aralee Informed me that she had read
a good deal. She told me that She
feared to forget the English tongue,
and when she paced the garden alone
she often talked it aloud to herself,
The girl had but one friend-her old
ayah; and her future was an ever.
haunting horror. Narayana, her uncle.
was acquainted with rich Raiah
who, alas! had heard of her.
She had no parents or friends; and
these very pretty young girls are
much valued by the Rajahs in thei,
zenanas.
Sooner than accept that life, Twill
kill myself" she declared. "The ayah
knows of an end, both swift and sure"
DO not say such dreadful things,
Aralee," I demonstrated; there is nc
fear-we will protect you.'
"Ah, you do not understand my
uncle! He is immovable as a stone,
and as secret as the seal"
L had once seen Narayana, the zem
lndar-a tall, stately person, with
high-bred features, a pale, wheaton
colored skin, and piercing eyes. His
mteh was impassive, his air aloof and
forbidding.
Aralee talked of her father, and his
passion for sport. He had evidently
gained the poor child's heart. His
memory still burned brightly, in spite
OF absence and silence. With respect
to her mother, she told me that she
was beautiful as lotus flower, but
that of late years she had wept much,
and faded and faded away. People
said she died of decline.
Thanks to little gifts ana civil mes
sages, Raw, the zemindar's wife, &C
corded me the company Of her niece
day after day. Robbie, who had been
duly introduced to my treasure trove,
was amazed at her beauty; but as she
was painfully shy in his society, and
scarcely lifted her eyes or opened her
lips. he thought her dull.
Her face is the face OF an English
girl" he remarked, "but her mind is
oriental. Her soul is asleep"
Remembering my solemn promise,
never sent for Aralee when there was
any prospect of visit from Mr.. Be-
thune; and, marvellous to relate, ]
did not tell him one word about my
new friend. To keep such a heavy
secret was to me pain and grief, but
something at the back of my mind en-.
forced this silence. He was dear.
impulsive, warm-hearted boy-she was
forlorn and lovely.
But what will be-. will be! Archie
Bethune had sharp attack of ma.
laria, and Robbie dispatched him
straight to our bungalow, in order to
be nursed.
He arrived early one afternoon, to
discover Aralee sitting with me in the
west veranda. So they met-fate had
taken the matter out of my hands.
Although the young people had made
acquaintance in the most unexpected
manner, and their conversation was
of a prosaic and commonplace de.
scription, yet the singing little ques.
ton kept buzzing. in my brain-"What
would Narayana, the zemindar, say?"
And for once was unaffectedly thank.
full to welcome the heavy old green
palanquin. which was to transport my
visitor home. The four bearers and