Evening star., 1911-06-02
and though fear you overrate the hid

''and though fear YOU overrate the HID
den powers Of activity in my people. YOU
have made me stiil more anxious for a di-
iect answer 10 my question-what would
you do in my place."
III had the money and the power
would sweep the bazaar. with all its dirt
and disease. out of existence" Travers
answered. energetically. Il would build
up a new native quarter outside Marut.
and enforce order and cleanliness. Where
the present bazaar stands ! would open
out a mine. and with the help OF Euro
pean experts encourage the natives into
the subsequent employment which would
stand open to them. In short time a
mere military station would become the
center OF native industry and commercial
prosperity"
A faint. skeptical smile PLAYED around
Nehal Singh's mouth hut his eyes were
still profoundly grave.
IF I know my people. I fear they will
revolt against such changes, he said.
You have described them as dreamers
who prefer starvation to effort-such they
are"
Your influence would be irresistible,
Rajah Sahib."
Nehai Singh looked at Travers keenly.
For the second time he had been spoken
OF as power. Was il perhaps true. as
his father had said, and this cool Eng
nshman had said. that the thoughts and
actions OF more than q million people lav
at his command? IL so. the twenty-five
years OF his life had been wasted. and no
stood far below the high standard which
had been set him. He had wandered aim
lessly along a smooth path. cut OF from
the world. plucking such fruits and flow
ers as offered themselves within his
reach. deaf to the cries OF those to whom
his highest efforts should have been dedi-
Gated. He had dreamed where he should
have acted. slept where he should have
watched and labored increasingly. yet r.
was not too late. He felt how his whole
dream-world shivered beneath the convul
eions of his awakening energies. The
vague. futile. uneasy longings OF his i'm
maturity took definite shape. His shac-
kled abilities awaited only the signal to
throw on their fetters and in freedom to
create good for the whole world
You have shown me possibilities OF
which I never dreamed" he said to Trav-
ers. Il must speak to you again. and
soon, for IL things are as you say, then
time enough has been wasted. But not
tonight. Tomorrow will see you-or no,
not tomorrow--the day after. 1 must
have time to think"
The waltz had died sentimentaly into
silence. and he made a gesture indicatlnc
that he wished to return to the ballroom.
Yet on the threshold he hesitated ano
drew back.
''The light and confusion trouble me"
he said. passing his hand over his eyes,
land my mind is full of new thoughts
II you will permit, I will take my leave.
you will carry my thanks to my other
hosts, / should prefer to go unnotlced."
1T is as you wish. Rajah Sahib,"
Travers returned. "It is we who have
to thank you for partaking Of our poor
hospitality"
You have given me more than hospi-
tality." Nehal Singh interposed. Then he
lifted his hand in salute. In two days
/ shall expect you"
I'm two days"
Travers watched the tall, white clad
figure pass out OF the brightly lighted
tent into the darkness. From begsnnirg <
to end his plans had been crowned with
unhoped-for success. and yet he was puz-
zled.
Il wonder why in two days." he
thought. why not tomorrow? I wonder
IL by any chance He broke of with
q smothered laugh. 1T is just possible.
I'll make sure and send her a line"
Then. as the band began the first bars
Of second waltz. he hurried back into
the crowded room in time to forestall
Stafford at Lois side.
(To be continued tomorrow.).