Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-02

walled with spacious and glowing land
sea pes-the lake asleep under a fierce
white noon, volcanoes notchng the lofty
horizon with dark green pinnacles-a
world of stiffness. poignant color and
great distances, set in panels of bamboo
framework but pictured in limitless sun
light and the Incompatible purity of
mountain air Barefoot hillmen, reverent-
~ mute, %lided into and from the pavil-
ION. kneellng TO serve the diSheS-pas toral
dishes of rice, bamboo pith and savory
beans: of wood birds and young water
fowl steWed in cocoanut milk; OF tiny red
fishes heaped in curry: of pineapples from
the hot lowlands, and artfu jelies dis
sulsed as fruit. with fresh rind seemingly
intact Ashore, from time to time. Dato
HaSans yellow turbaD shone like great
blossom among the roadside trees he
craned out TO guard the approaches.
And now yaWned the sultan. at last.
nov. Bowman, it is the hour to sleep
Throughout tiffin he had dscoursed lazily
of horses, their speed their ancestry
their exploits in Poona, Buitenzorg. Mosul
or Shanghai; but more and more his voice
had dropped his eyes grown heavy. TO
sleep eh? 1t is very pleasant. You, too.
VIII be wishing to sleep
DaVids temper, long smoldering, broke
out in flame.
Il want To Inc off. p" he retorted. angriiy
just that and no more. Hand over what
belongs 10 me and let me go.
Dear fellow, replied his host. with a
smile, friendly bur obstinate: dear fellow
there no such hurry. Too HOT, besides
The speaker curied himself into the
Shadiest corner of the pavilion, stretched
his limbs luxurious as a cat subsidized on
the mating and. with cheek upon arm.
dropped at once into the sweet oblivion of
stern Sumber.
David sat and listened to his breathing
the only sound among the mountains
The longer he listened the more he grew
cnraged. 1t quickly became unbearabe
Rama he cried
The sleeper made no stir
Rama. David brought down his heel
so heavily that the pavilion shook
where's my packet
The royal sluggard allowed one eye to
open and blissfully to close.
Il don't remember" The words died
IN a broken whisper, blur of meaning
| less and mea sureless content. Wait till
catch that felloW--you go to sleep, too.
Ii was useless. \ caravan Of packets
would not summon this Malay from mis-
afternoon stupor. David might glover
as he pleased; he saw himself at a dead
lock, simple Yet effective. not TO he
broken either by force or by entreaty. He
could only wrap himself In patience. wait,
stick closer TO Rama. than a brother.
seize more fortunate mood, watch the
chance. He chose another corner of the
floor and. stretching out resigned HIM
self 10 smoke Even the black Paaconlbo
tobacco brought no comfort, it might not
cloud that vista. all too clear and dismal,
into which his busy plans unfoded.
Suppose do get it back" he pondered
suppose | do overtake herr Its all for
the other man. Gerald-that was his name.
something she'll cry over and keep the
rest of her life. And my part-thats all.
Thank You SO much: goodbye"
He flung away his cigarette. 1t fell into
the lake with a slight hiss. Rama'S quiet
breathing succeeded tranquil accompani-
ment TO vexing thought
Thanks and goodbye: that. indeed. was
the end of the vista. All for the other
Nillameres Englishman. or another man
now dead. Thanks and goodbye. On
the heels of this, why should there steal
in CWelcome and unWelcome, like bit of
solace he had not asked for) the memory
of her eyes in the hill garden and by the
roadside? They were not dark. after all.
but blue-a deep and changing blue.
When he woke the lake was of that
color. and the evening air and all the
mountains but a few peaks tipped with
amber sunset.
''Siam." The sultan's voice rose, nedi-
tauve, through the dusk. 'Siam. 1t is
twilight
P;opped on elbow Rama lay staring
mournfully over the bamboo rail- far ouL
pose. in that uncertain light We're full of
unutterabe WEAKNESS and sadness. He
seemed mystical ancient figure of mel
ancholE, questioning the world in vain.
Alone. He was murmuring to him.
self. The soul of man is alone-like a
bird flying on the face of dark waters"
He turned slowly to find David watch
ing. His face frightened somewhat.
Awake. Bowman" He reused, but
lauguiuIy, "SIeeD is great MYSTERY II