The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1910-01-06

toward them from the Opposite wall.
oenevra did not move. She stood quite
still and nanh. watching bis tall fig.
ure crossing the stone noor. Ah. what
q man he was' The little Persian wife
Of selim. after waiting for full min.
ute. gently touched the arm Of the
princess Geneva started aud looked
down Into the dark. accusing. smiling
eyes. She flushed deeply aud hated
herself.
shall we 20 back ," she asked nerv.
ousiy. II have seen enough. Come,
Neenah. Lead me back to-
Most glorious exoellcncy." said Nee.
nah. shaking her pretty head. we are
to walt here. The sahib and Selim
will join us soon"
where are they golngy" demanded
the princess. feeling of awe coming
over her 81 don't want to be left here
alone" Chase and Selim had opened
a low. heavy iron door at the lower
end and were peering into the dark.
ness beyond.
"Selim will explain. He has learned
much. 1t is the secret passage to the
coast. Be not afraid"
Geneyra looked about her for the
first time. They were standing In a
long, low room, the walls of which
reeked with dampness and gave out a
noxious odor. A single electric light
provided faint, almost unnatural
light. Selim raised lighted lantern
as he led Chase through the squat
door. Behind Genevra were enor.
nous casks. q dozen or more. reach.
ing almost to the ceiling. A number
of boxes stood close by, while on the
opposite side of the chamber four
small iron chests were to be seen,
dragged out from recesses In the dis
tant corner. Observing her look OF
wonder, Neenah youchsafed a casual
explanation.
at Is the wine cellar and the store
room. The iron chests contain the
silver and gold plate that came from
the great rajah of Murpat in ex
change for the five huge rubies which
now adorn his crown. The old sahib.
stored the chests here many ySars ago
but few know of their existe1a, See
They were hidden In the walls over
there. Won BiitZ has found them"
won Blitzi" In amazement.
"He has been here He has carried
away many chests. There were TWEEN.
ty In all"
"And-and he will return for these?"
queried the princess In alarm.
"Assuredly. most glorious one. Soon
perhaps But be not afraid. Seliul
can close the passage door He can
not get In. He will be fooled. eh
Why should you be afraid? Have you
not with you the most wonderful, the
most brave sahib? Would he not give
his life for your The dark eyes
sparkled with understanding-aye ever
mischief. Genevra felt that this orr
entail witch knew everything, For q
long time she looked In uncertain mood
upon that smiling. wistful face Their
she said softly. moved by an irresisti
BILE impulse to confess something. ever
obscurely:
"Oh. II only were such as you
Neenah. and could live forever ON this
dear islsndr
But, most high. there are NJ
princes here. There Is no one t
whom the most gracious one could bt
sold. No one who could pay NOR,
than dozen rubies. Women ar,
cheap here, and you would be WON
an, not "A most beautiful princess.
perhaps"
You love my Sahib Chaser" de
manded Neenah abruptly, eagerly.
"Neenah!" gasped Genevra. with 4,
startled look. Neenah looked lntently
into the unsteady. blue gray eyes anC
then bent over to kiss the hand of thu
princess The latter laughed almos
aloud In her confusion. She caugh
herself up quickly and said with some
asperity: You foolish child. | am t
become a princes wife. How can
love your sahib? What nonsensel
am to marry prince. and he is no
to pay for me In rubies."
"Ah, how wonderfulr' cried Neenah
with ravishing candor. "A prince fol
a husband and the glorious Sahit
Chase for a lover all your life! All!
The exclamation was no less than &
sigh of rapturous Endorsement
The princess stared at her first IL
CONSERVATION. then In dismay. Before
she could find words to combat this
alarming prophecy. SO ingenlously pre-
scented to her reflections, Selim ant
Hollingsworth Chase returned to the
chamber. She was distressed, ever
COMPOUNDED, to find that she was star
Ing at Chase with a strange. abasheC
curiosity growing In her eyes--a stare
that she suddenly was afraid he nigh
observe and appreciate. A wave o.
revulsion, of shame, spread over hel
whole being.
With the swiftness Of lightning she
recalled the things that had been sale
Of more than one grand dame In Eu
rope-aye. of women at her own court
Even q princess she had known whC
but for shamel she cried In her heart
1t could not be. Despite herself {
cruel, distressing shyness came Owe
her as he approached. his eyes glowing
with the light she feared, yet craved
Was this man to remain In her life
Was hef Would he come to her ant
wage the unfair war? Was he honest