New-York tribune., 1909-12-05

desire 10 be passed by unnOtCed- But OF
that there remained SO much doubt that
the perspiration came IN big drops from his
forehead.
Again that omnous cough this time few
PAGES 10 one side Of Fosters ambush. II 1t
would have been suicidal 10 move foot, FOs-
ter could not restrain an impulse 70 turn his
head slightly and glance toward the spot
whence the last sound came. Between a few
intervening bamboo canes Fosters eyes fell
upon the huge striped head and the powerful
neck and shoulders of the great cat slowly
moving forward. How much Foster devoutly
hoped the tiger would keep on moving might
bc difficult 10 estimate because a single leap
could easily have landed the beast on Fosters
frail perch In that situation he scarcely dared
TO raise an eyelid draw his breath His
earnest desire was 10 simulate the condition OF
death so we'll that the jaws of reality might not
close upon him. The tiger paused 70 thrust
aside some underbruSh. and Fosters heart
stopped beating. The tiger $ head came slowly
round in Fosters direction. but fortunately
II not lifted
In a few seconds which seemed as many hours
Foster found himself looking upon the strong
hind fianks Of the tiger as the beast again Crept
onward with that sinister Crunching of the
leaves That Stripes had passed was some re-
lief At the edge of the bamboo clump the tiger
crOuched low and halted with body and head
set in the direction of the terror stricken wait
ing bullock and rustling the dead leaves with
gentle sweeping motion Of the long supple tail.
Ii Foster had possessed a million dollars. he
would gladly have relInquished every penny for
the tiger TO end the suspense by some action.
but like a true villain. Stripes seemed 10 enjoy
teaStIng hIs eyes upon the sight of his hapless
prey. How long the tiger intended 10 prolong
the bullOckS agony. OF for what length of time
Foster could have maintained his tense position
without movement and discovery NAV be lett
open questions. because the tigers final action
was qulckened by an unexpected circumstance.
FROM his slightly elevated position Foster
beheld a small procession enter the COM
pound, apparently with the intention of cross
ing and taking the Jungle path In the van
marched some red turbaned servants of the
Ram; then came curtained litter gilded and
decorated with figures of strange gods the
RanIs HHHShI, and a scattering of attendants.
HeedleSS OF the consequences To- himself. a
shout of warning rose from Fosters chest: but
before II had passed his lips the yellow body of
the tiger shot from the bamboo clump with
that lightning upward course which ends by
/ selling the victim bv the throat hurting Il
| backward. and swapping the vertebra In Fos-
ters excitement the frail platform gave way
under hIm and he tumblcd 10 the ground
vt the same moment a roar seemed 10 shake
the foundations of the earth. but ended in a
long drawn out half snarl half mighty groan
which brought Foster Scrambling 20 his feet
As he parted the bamboo canes. wild con
SterndtIon had taken possession of the RAMS
attendants, and the huge bulk of the tiger was
rolling IN titanic commissions
y cry of relief went up from Fosters lungs
IL was clear that he had mechanically thrown
the switch IN falling and shot over two thou
sand volts into the tiger the moment its teeth
fastened on the metal collar of the bullock
Grasplng his pistol. he rushed forward 10 warn
back woman'S slender figure which had
sprung from the litter and was moving toward
the tiger with a dagger clutched in one hand
OF the next few moments of confused excite
ment Foster has not a very clear TcCol-
lection. He believes he needlessly emptied his
revolver INTO the prOstrate body of the tiger
with Its Jaws fastened in the bullocks throat
When the brute's power for mischief was clearly
ended. he FASTENED 10 the bamboo clump 10
switch of the current When he returned 10
the scene of action. the woman was standing
over the tiger. With ewes dilated her nostrilS
We're quIverInP from emotion.
As her veil had fallen from her face Foster
gained a privilege seldom. almost never. falling
To the lot of an Occidental He looked upon
the features of one of the Queens of India
From her voice behind the curtain he had PIC
tured considerable degree of beauty IN It's
owner. but IN the dchcate lines of the oval
contour, the soft complexion flushed with cx-
cltenent, flashing ewes, and proud lips anv
ideal he have formed WIS far =