New-York tribune., 1910-09-04
By Michael White
Drawins. by Wladyslaw T. Benda

curtain Of an Indian Princes family affairs For
this there sufficient reasons as witness the case
of DR.. Ward of San Francisco. You may DeheVe MS
story or not lust as you please but those who know
best say it than probable II was an lnclp4Ie
Stage that drew him the Paclfc ana eVentuay
landed him in Shvabad. He didn't care baciiiuS lol
occult vops lain temples or ancient tombs; but he was
nightly interested in the Incpient Stage OF terror
which literally hyeth by night That was why W Walu
was entirely satisfied to settle down in ShvaDad wnen
the chance tourist sped from its burning heat fever I'M
pregnated dirt and unholy smells as fast as ransack
tonga could travel AS sure as kismet the Inc'peil'
Stage was there for Shvabad was the Caplta OF I'd
tive State with ruler whose public health loeaS' anu
much else medieval 1t picturesque OF course
when not too close, to observe the street cleaning
ment of cur dogs and crows at work
But that all this story has to do with the ihcios
Stage for very the doctor found himself involved
in other stirring matters NV
rival the days of the old Naharaa Sahib were num-
bered At least the Maharaja thought SO, not being ue
ceved by his astroogers who predicted tna' ne c woa
mantra but he wanted to be certain IN order that ne
might depart this world in accord with ancient custom
So he sent for the American haklm, IN other words
Dr. Ward.
Thus it came about that the doctors professional
brethren might have opened their eyes rather VIDE on
beholdng him driving furously to the palace IN the
Maharaa's silver mounted C-spring barouche, with a
right of way cleared by detachment OF the MaharaJa
fierce ancers. He had received many hurry calls IN the
course of his practice but attended by quite
so much STYLE dust and tumut. Even So at one polnt
he prepared for jump when elephant looed up not
twenty ahead But somehow the nu8e DedSt was
showed aside half into a Coppersmths shop, and the
barouche ratified on with shouts and curses following
THE Maharaa Sahib received DIR. Ward reclining on
rich couch propped up by cushions. Inc couch
had been moved out on kind Of balcony to catch any
breath of air stirring Nearby stood bronze vsaged at
tendants,bearers of ms, fly whisks, slippeIs' etc
The Maharaa presented but the relic OF hne physical
human being, much emacated by sickness and old age
For all that he garments of embroidered tusser SILK
and several magnificent jewels Also ne preserved an
air of proud dignity, which, according to his lights be-
came high caste well as royal rank When 1t IS re-
marked that he had invariably declined to meet on an
equal footing low caste Kings with more official guns
and bigger chests than himself, nothing more
need be said. In his estimation he stood several
steps higher than the Viceroy, while as to European
sovereigns they were all yesterday parvenus in
parson That why he such stlckler for ancient
forms and ceremonies.
In the cursory personal examination permitted DR..
Ward hope for the MaharaJa and the N1aharaJa
was quick to discern that unfavorabe opinion written
the physician S face.
Yes know what you going to tell me, he said
You are like those asroogers afraid to speak the
truth But from you what want to know IS the mo-
ment of my DEATH.
THAT cannot exactly foretell, replied the doctor
ut all depends upon your Highness strength You
may last for day or two or pass away IN few hours
That is speaking frankly, as understand you WISH
look of dissatisfaction swept across the MaharaJas
face We'll, he questioned, after reflective pause you
would know the moment of my death when 1t comes?
YES | may say l would, aCqulesCed DIR. Ward,
holding back purely professional point of argument.
Udh! Wah! That is better spoken" exclaimed the
Maharaja ''You shall stay here to tell my Minister,
Narayan Rao, the moment it happens 1t is important
for you to know.
"Or to inquire" returned the doctor rather coldy.
"My efforts do not extend into the region of state,
Ali All" The Maharaja's dark eyes cleaned with
all the vitality remaining in his body Il you
to be trusted not like those English always prying