The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-09-19

A servant admitted him, n with
out a word ushered him into a small
interior chamber, where, at an open
window. looking out on a fair garden
below, sat the Maharajah himself. DIS
missing his attendant by a sign, ne
turned his head toward lie Marchant,
In acknowledgment of his presence,
but made no further salutation or
movement to rise. And now, for the
first time since his last nights brandy
debauch, the captain began TO De
ashamed of himself. Fidgety and m
barrassed, he felt singularly unable to
, hold himself with any dignity or dis
play the jaunty air of Indifferent ease
he desired to assume. He looked about
for a chair to sit down on; there was
not one in the room save that on which
the Maharajah was himself enthroned.
And the composed sovereignty of the
Maharajah's attitude, the terrible
steadfastness of the Maharajah's eyes,
which regarded him with a look where
in hatred, contempt, reproach and Won
der were all combined in n dark and
piercing flash, began to be distinctly
trying to the not oversteady nerves OF
this particular officer n gentleman.
He shifted awkwardly from one foot to
the other, and studied the pattern of
the floor, finding the atmosphere sud
denly warmer than usual. Two min
utes, perhaps, passed like this in UNI
comfortable Stiffness; then the Maha-
rajah spoke.
Captain LIE Marchant," he said, In
low, but very clear accents, "INregret
that I attacked you last night when
you were unable to defend yourself.
Men of my race and caste do not drink,
hence we are not always able to realize
the degradation OF drunkenness in 9th
ers. I understand that 1 was worng.
I, therefore, apologize"
Captain LIE Marchant moistened his
dry lips and bowed stiffiy. The Maha-
rajah went on, still in the same even
voice:
do you demand further s~atisfac-
ton, or do you accept this a~pology?"
The captain raised his head and en-
deavored to look magnanimous, but
only succeeded in looking foolish. He
cleared his throat and twirled one end
of his tawdy mustache.
II accept It," he said. and his voice
was husky n uncertain.
The Maharajah's burning glance
swept over him like lightning, and a
faint, contemptuous smile rested on
the proud mouth.
81 wish you to comprehend me per-
fectly, Captain LIE Marchant," he went
on. "If 1 could fight you now that you
are capable Of fighting. hand to hand.
man to man, I would do it! I am
ready for 1t at this momenti 1t would
give me the keenest Joyl" His brown
hands clinched, his chest heaved. Anon
h. IA IDA nj -
whose cause I would defend, whose sor-
rows move me to indignation, Is your
wife; o can do what you will with
her-it Is your law. 7, at any rate,
have no right to protect her!"
A shuddering sigh broke from him.
LIE Marchant stared amazed. A new
light dawned upon his mind-a sudden
conviction that moved his coarse and
fjppant nature to a sense of malicious
amusement. And now in his excite
ment the Maharajah rose, fiercely
gripping with both hands the carved
ivory arm-rests Of his chair.
"If l could buy your wife from YOU"
he said, his mellow voice quivering
with passion, a save her from an
other such outrage upon her as that
which L witnessed last night. L
would give o a my possess
sions! If 1 could steal her from
you without shame to her or
to me, 1 should be 'uncivilized,'
enough to do It! OF course you know
what this means, and you can make
scorn of me If you choose. 1 am power
less to prevent you. We are a con-
quered race. and you English despise
us. l Will not say that we do not merit
your contempt-we have allowed our
selves to be kept down under the yoke
or evil custom and barbarous super
stition for countless ages, and we have
never truly discovered our own intel
lectual torce. Perhaps We sha dis
cover IL some day-who knows? Yours
is a great nation, but men such as you
disgrace 1t. You buy our Indian wom-
en-, and neglect and ill-treat your own.
This | cannot understand. But I waste
words. l have made you an apology
which you have accepted: so much be-
ing clear between us, l ask you. one
thing before we part forever-givS me
your word as a man that the scene of
last night shall never be repeated; that
you will cherish your wife with the
tenderness she merits, and never give
her further cause to regret having
married you. l have no right to appeal
to you, I know. but for once forget this
forget tho difference of race and creed
between us, and as man to man before
the Eternal, give me you promise!"
He spoke with eloquence and earnest
ness, and as he concluded, stretched
out his hands with a gesture of en-
treaty. But Captain LIE Marchant was
now himself again, He realized his
situation completely, and felt he was
the master of 1t. He folded his arms
and looked the M~aharajah full In the
face.
your request is most extraordinary"
ne said, coldly, and with a naughty
stare. II can promise nothing of the
kind-to you'll"
The M%aharajah advanced a step to-
ward him.
You are a Christian he demanded.
lie Marchant bent his head in stiff