Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-24

pleasantly shaded by the dark green, eve,
trembling foliage of ppul trees with the ad.
ditional cool attraction of tank of clear water
in the center, partly overgrown with lotus.
The melodious twittering OF birds and an oc-
casional emerald flash of parrot wing over.
head were otherwise appealing
But it was not the setting of the picture tina,
spontaneously captured Latham's attention
His eyes became riveted upon the figure of
girl, standing at the edge of the tank and
apparently admring her reflection in the
water. Assuredly, he thought, she was entitled
to considerable measure of satisfaction in that
respect. He had not encountered the like OF
her in all his Eastern travels. Some of his
favored enough after their kind; but the classic
beauty and garb of this Hindu maid swept in
irresiStibly upon his artistic sense Such grace
of form emphasized by the clinging diaphanous
folds of her pale orange sari! Such sym.
metrically modelled contour! The tiny dia-
mond that sparkled in the lobe of one of her
nostrils seemed entirely harmonious and to
point the delcacv of that feature. He did not
doubt the downcast eyes held all manner OF
mysterious witchery.
Latham had halted abruptly in fear lest she
detect his presence and take to hasty fight
realizing that before him was his ideal for the
Kings portrait. Presently she liftd hand with
a jingle of bangles and tossed few crumbs into
the water.
''Hai, Ram! Quick. RAM" she cried. ELSE
you will go without bread to-day"
A 1uttering dart of silver scales to the sur
face of the water was followed by ripple OF
laughter as the girl chided particular fish
called after the great Hindu deity.
"Ah, Ram! Slow, Rdml Your wife, Deva
has now got all the bread. Besides you have
sp1ashed my sari."
CHE shook the skirt of her garment and
- raising her head, cast her eyes upon Lat
ham. But she did not set wings to her feet as
he thought most probable. or even hastily veil
her face. Impulsively she drew fold merely
across her mouth: but the smile she shot from
her eyes was SO full of naivete and frank con-
fidence that Latham would have been other
than an American had he failed to reciprocate
As he came forward she saluted him with
to explain the characteristics of the holy fish
that dwelt in the tank, as If it was the most
natural thing in the world for her to talk with
a white sahib.
BY degrees he drew from her part of her
story, which perhaps accounted for her friendly
and somewhat unconventional attitude. II
appeared she was of Maratha parentage, and
Maratha women are accustomed to 60 in pub
lie unveiled. The robber, freebooting spirit OF
the race bestowed upon the women greater in
dependence than is found elsewhere in India.
In the flashing glance of their dark eyes you
feel they are capable of things otherwise than
household duties Perchance their small hands
might be found not unfamiliar with weapons
at pinch. So relates history, at any rate.
Neither was this girl afraid of the white sahibs.
Why should she be. when she had played with
the Colonels little son of her fathers regimentl
Her father had been subadar Major, the senior
native officer. But the chota sahib chat was
the little white boy) had gone away over the
great black water and "Ahi!" she was afraid
7ould never see him again. But for his sake she
~ he fyyoc fhor1 | a
wistful, pensive expression subsequently re.
ed with approval in the portrait.
is much of her confidence gained, it was not
ult matter for Latham to suggest painting her
ait Perhaps she appreciated the compliment
,r beauty, probably she hardly understood the
ficance of the act She could not of course 60 to
partment at the hotel; but as she came every
ing to feed the holy fsh-why, if he thought she