New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-04-24


a face could exist among women. feared that
by some chance Of delay this dream OF lOvel1-
ness might escape me. / urged that the mar
rage might be performed with al haste. Like
a headstrong lover I did not pause % think or
suspect. but when lifted the veil of the Kings
daughter for the first time | was stunned 70
discover that she did not IN the least resemble
the portrait. She may have been pasSably good
looking but IN my frenzy OF disappointment
fear was hardly complimentary % such beauty
as she NAV have possessed. | at once repudl-
ated the contract and packed her of back to
her father.
Hence a frightful scandal. in which nv fam
ilv JON in holding that have broken every rule
Of social deCenCv. Moreover II u now de
clared that the portrait IS merely the work of
imagination. and that the original Is not TO be
found on earth. Therefore / am foolish % set
50 much store on a fantasy. But YOU know
whether this is so or not. Tel me that the
original does live IN very reality, that she Is to
be found somewhere. be her position what it
may. and there Is nothing viii not do 20 show
my gratitude.
THE Prince sank into a chair. while Latham
remained standing with hands thrust deep
IN his pockets turning the situation over in his
mind Nethodically he lit a cheroOt. Whether
IN disclosing the truth he would be assisting the
Princes best interests seemed doubtful, but he
despiSed the Nizir on professional as well as
other grounds, was inclined 70 be sympathetic
toward a love affair IN which he appeared % be
the moving spirit. and the disappearance of the
girl again rose TO his mind Meanwhile the
Prince watched Latham's face with anxious IN
terest.
Well" said Latham at last. Il can ease
your suspense on one point. | did paint the
portrait from life, and I am willing 20 add that
the beauty Of the original far exceeds nv effort
do not consider did the girl full Justice
Ahi' cried the Prince. rising from the chair
with outstretched hands. Then YOU know
where she IS"
No." replied Latham That is Just what
| am afraid do not. The fact Is I CHANGED
upon her IN the garden Of the Fish God Temple;
but she disappeared before the last pose. |
have not seen ANYTHING of her for ten DAYS at
least. and | really have no idea where she is
The Prince received this news with keen dis
appointment. but frightened as Latham re-
Sponded % his plea for assistance IN finding the
girl. d" You see he explained. % must enlist
your friendship in this matter. because | can
not move outside the palace without being
watched. If my object in irving % find the
girl was discovered. some injury might fall on
her. can trust YOU, know. | also know YOU
VIII not refuse"
III do what I can Latham responded
since to some extent l am responsible: but If
| fail
You viii not fail" asserted the Prince.
" The men Of Your race DO not fail m anything
they undertake"
of things here Is mighty different from what we
are accustomed 10. Still, III do my best. In the
meantime keep YOUR courage up. he added m
a sympathetic spirit, " and don't let anyone
know you've taken me INTO YOUR confidence /
should say particularly the Eizr or our curry
may be seasoned with something even worse
for digestion than Ramchander's spices I I'M
derstaud that family disputes are frequently
settled after that fashion IN tins country. III
let YOU know directly | gam any news of the
girl"
On the whole. Latham was not very conf
dent of finding Ahalid. In the sVarming
hive of the native town. with It's labyrinth Of
groteSquely decorated houses. streets that
doubled ON themselves. and lanes ending IN
blank walls what chance was there for him 20
discover anyone IL was necessary for HIM 70
obtain native assistance. and the natural per
son 20 rely upon WAS his servant So. without
disclosing more than he wished o. fud the gjrl
he told Golab Dat ~ he knew about her per
Sonallv, and sent HIM oh fortified with the
requisite cash "pri>Jnts"
10 was after dark when GolIb Dat returned
envclOped IN "a cloak of mystery. Sahib. ne
,aij. that girl 40 last
| Nud where. She.