Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-30

meath the canopy, brave in his green and
tinsel uniform. She looked up with list
less hauteur that expressed her attitude
toward the man.
"Achcha.' she said, sharply. Thou art
! tardy. Heaven-born. Yet have I waited
for thee this half hour gone, heavy with
sleep though l be-waited to know the
pleasure of my lord"
There was a mockery but family dis
guised in her tone. The Maharana seemed
to find it not unpleasant, for he smiled
grimy beneath his mustache.
There was work to be DONE" he said.
hast thou wrought. o, Breaker of
Hearts?'
The woman cast the silver mouthpiece
from her and clasped her hands behind
her head. Am not Naraini?'
1.-The man is ours?'
Mine" she corrected, amiably HIS
face darkened with a scowl of jealousy
and she laughed in open derision. Were
l Naraini could / not divine the heart OF
a MANI
by what means?"
What is that to thee. o.. Heaven
born?" She Struggled her body compla-
Gently into the luxurious pile of cushions.
IF I have accomplished the task thou
| didst set for me, what concern hast thou
with the means 1 did employ? Thou art
only salig Singh. Maharana of Khanda-
war. but am Naraini, free woman"
"Thou---' Rage choked the Rajput
Thou he sputtered-'thou art"
Softly, Heaven-born, softly-lest
Is it wise to forget that Naraini holds
thy fate in the hollow of her hands,
She sat forward. speaking swiftly and
with malice. Thou art pledged to pro-
duce Har Dyal Rutton In the Hall of the
Bell before another sunrise, and none
but Naraini knows to what a perilous re-
sort thou art driven to redeem thy word. -
Il was lied to-" he argued, sullenly. "A
false tale was brought me-by one who
hath repented of his error! If l was told
that Har Dyal RuttOn would be in India
upon such-andsuch day, am to blame
that l did promise to bring him to the
Gateway"
And seeing that the man is dead, art
thou to blame for bringing in his place
substitute, even 80 poor a changeling
as this man Amber? Nay, be not angry;
do I blame thee? Have l done aught but
serve thee to the end thou dost desire ?
- Thou shOuldst be grateful to me,
rather than menace me with thine anger.
well for thee that thou shouldst bear al
ways in mind my intimacy with thy Sc
cret. If thou art king, then am L more
than queen, in khandawar."
humbly, but mad with love for thee
And lust, my lord, for-power," she in
terpoiated.
But if what thou hast said be true
w no lies 10 the Ming Is already a
dead man. Why should l trouble to de-
ceive thee, Heaven-born? l tell thee, the
man is won. The day shall declare it
this night will he ride with me to Kath-
iapur. Why didst thou not tarry to
eavesdrop? Indeed, thou has lost an op-
pOrtunity that may never d second time
be thine--to learn of the wiles of woman"
There was work to be done,'' he re-
peated. Il went to take measures against
thy failure"
20, thou of little faith.''
Nay why should l neglect proper pre-
cautions? Whether thy confidence be JUS
tilted or no, this night will Har Dyal
Rutton-or one like him-endure the Or
deal of the Gateway
$50 ! have told thee" she assented.
equally. HE will come, because Naraini
bids him.
1T may be so. If not, another lure
shall draw him.
She started with annoyance. The Eng
Iishwoman of the picture?'
Have / named herr" He lifted his
heavy brows in affected surprise.
Nay, but
Secret for secret" he offered: .Inine
for thine. Is it bargain, o, Pearl of
Khandawar?"
keep thy silly secret. then, as l will
keep mine own counsel she said. with
assumed disdain. 1t was no part of wis
dom, in her understanding. to tell him Of
her interview with Amber. A mans
jealousy is potent weapon in woman s
hands, but must be welded with discre-
ton.
He was persistent Il will back my
plan against thine. Rance
so be it," she said. shortly. which
ever wins. the stake is won for both.
What doth it matter?"
She rose and moved impatiently down
the walk and back again, bangles tin.
king, jewels radiant on wrist and brow
ankle and bosom. The man watched he,
with sulky eyes until she turned. then
bent mis- head and stood glowering at the
earth and twisting his mustache. She
paused before him. hands on hips. and
raised her eyes in silent inquiry. He pre-
tended not to notice her. She sighed with
a pretense of humility thinly disguised.
"Thy trouble. my lord?' she rallied him.
Il have Wondered he said, heavily.
will he pass?'
IF not. it were we'll for thee to die this
night. O, Heaven born
THAT was my thought
Thou hast little need to Worry. lord
Woma Mike she shifted to suit his hui
NOR. He is A mani answer for that.
though he is no fool. Still, when
the hour strikes. what he must, that will
he endure for the sake 60. OF that which
Naraini hath promised him.
"Or for another Salig Singh growled
into his beard.
II did not hear.
Il said naught. | am distraught.
still further. IF he doth fail to survive
the Ordeal-Har Dyal Rutton hath dled.
If he doth survive
"Har OVAL Rutton shall die within the
hour" Salg Singh concluded. grirnly.
But / am troubled. cannot but
ask myself continually: Were 1t not
wiser TO confess failure and abide the
outcome?"
How long wouldst thou abide the out
come my king after thou hadst Informed
the Council of this deception to when
thou hast been too willing and ready
party? . He who misled you died a
dogs death But thou-art thou In love
with death?'
Unless thy other name be Death
Naraini 80
'Or if the Council should snare thee
as is unlikely? The patience of the Body
is as the patience of Kings-scant, and It's
mercy is like unto its patience. But
say thou are spared-what then? How
long art thou prepared to wait until the
Members of the Body shall again be III
such complete accord as now? When
again shall all Hindustan be ripe for re-
volt? Aho! Thou wouldst nave
sweet patience I'm the waiting. Saiig
Singh, I" Let matters rest as they be
my lord'-this a trace imperiously
Leave the man to mel shall stand
suonsor for him until the Gateway shall