The Delta independent., 1911-08-11

not exchange rupees for copper coins.
Ali renI ined motionless. as one
about whom lightning has flashed, and
who feels his only chance of safety
lies in escaping the notice of the next
bolt. The Swami signaled to Kanan.
da, and the Prince, following the hab.
its of the Occident. seated himself on
the divan in Oriental fashion, and
Gained himself with deep draughts
from the pipe that dubbed on a low
table. AS he smoked. the severity
Of his features relaxed a little and at
length he recovered his composure SO
far as to take pity on the exceedingly
uncomfortable Ali.
Rise. dog!" he said, and give us,
If you can. an explanation of the dis.
graceful bungling on this simple mis-.
sion"
What explanation the servant might
have mustered is q problem. Before
he could collect his thoughts, the cleo.
trio bell of the outer door burr-r-rd
sharply. Kananda. the stem Of the
pipe in his hand. looked toward the
curtains expectantly. and the Swami
signaled to All to answer the sum-
mons without. The servant glided,
ghost-like. from the room. returning
shortly with the announcement that
visitor desired audience with the
famed Oriental scholar. The Prince
disappeared between the portieres OF
a small door opposite the main en-
trance of the room, the priest nodded
slowly 70 the servant. and the next
moment Ali ushed into the presence
OF tbs sage the man who had had the
temerity to let himself be attacked
In place Of him the Fasteners had de
sired to search.
II am a special reporter for The
Times" said Britt 81 understand
you are a scholar of distinction in
your native land would like to have
talk with you for a Sunday story"
The Swami's face wreathed into an
interrogation point.
my good friend" he said, you
have come to the wrong person. am
not in the least interested in fiction
Scientific research. with perhaps q
glimpse now and then OF the psychic
limits my activity in literature"
You don't understand said Britt
Newspaper men caH everything
story l should have said an article
an interview, you know"
We'll" said the Oriental indulgent
ly, at is not the policy of the propa.
ganda to seek publicity through the
columns of the press; but, II / can
serve you in any way, command me"
We'll, you see, Swami" said Britz,
Everything pertaining to that Illus
h.ious land of yours is Of interest to
Americans; your religion, your poll
tics, your customs. your women. your
jewels, your boundless wealth. Every
thing you can tell me about India Ia
sure to interest our readers"
IF l am to tell you everything
about India" said the Swami. I'VE
may as well make ourselves comfort
able" =
| He signed to Ali again. and. rising
with much dignity. he placed chair
at the disposal of his visitor.
THE East is a pretty big subject,
said the Swami. and then he spent
many minutes sketching Oriental
ways and thoughts for the entertain
ment of his visitor. To follow him
would be to recapitulate the history
of Hindostan from centuries before
| tn6 DiillSA thtdbiOh NhSh ~
finished, Britz knew enough about In
dia to fill the pages OF all the Sunday
papers of New York; but this was not
what the detective wanted.
Your women evidently lead pref
ty secluded life," he said, but sup
pose they have their compensation
their music. embroidery. delicacies.
gems-by the way, Swami. jewels fig
ure largely In your religion, don't
they?"
The same inscrutable CLEAN again
flickered in the eyes of the scholar.
ut would be difficult to make you
understand in what way they do" he
answered. I'm the ordinary CONNER
cial sense. they do not We of India
care less for the intrinsic value of the
beautiful jewels which you OF the
West characterize as precious stones.
They are precious to US. but In dill
ferent way We love them for their
loveliness-not merely for their bril-
lance and cost. To US, there Ia a
world OF metaphysical meaning in the
lambert glow OF ruby. or the I'M
prisoned rainbow OF diamond. An
emerald to US is the spirit OF the sea
the spirit OF the water itself; Just
as the pearl suggests that other world
on the floor of the deep. Jewels. as
we see them. are the crystallized ex-
preston Of divine emotions. Diamonds
are the tears Of Buddha-pearls SO
many drops of wisdom from his lips.
and sapphires the heavenly aspira-
lions Of his thoughts. What to the
Occident means profit. to us means
poetry"
Some Of your jewels are. dare
say. a great deal more important than