Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1911-08-10
CHAPTER XIII.
The Photograph.


That same night Amber dined at
the Residency. on the invitation OF
Raikes, the local representative OF
government, seconded by the insist
ence of Colonel Farrell. 1t developed
that Sophia's telegram had somehow
been lost in transit. and Farrelrs sur
prise and pleasure at sight Of her were
tempered only by his keen apprecia'
ton OF Amber's adventurous services
slight though they had been. He was
urged to stay the evening out. before
proceeding to his designated quarters
and the reluctance with which he ac-
.ceded to this arrangement which
worker so happily with his DESIRES
may be imagined.
Ease OF anxiety was more than
food and drink to Amber; his feeling
of relief, to have conveyed Sophia to
the company and protection OF Anglo
Saxons like himself. was intense. Yet
he swallowed his preliminary brandy
neg in q distinctly uncomfortable
frame OF mind, strangely troubled by
the reflection that round that lone
white table was gathered together the
known white population Of the state;
a census of which accounted for just
Ave souls.
Amber was relieved when at length
the meal was over, and Miss Farrell
having withdrawn in conformance with
inviolable custom, the cloth was
deity whisked away and cigars, ciga-
rettes, liquors, whisky and soda were
served.
Amber took unto himself q cigar
and utilized an observation Of the
PolItical's as lever to swing the con-
versation to a plane more likely to
inform him. Farrell had grumbled
about the exactions of his position as
particularly instanced by the necessi-
ty Of his attending tedious and tire
some native ceremonies In connection
with the tamasha.
Whats, precisely, the nature OF
this tamasha, Colonel Farrell?"
why, my dear young man, l
thought you knew. Isn't 1t what you
came to see?"
NO" Amber admitted cautiously;
81 merely heard a rumor that there
was something uncommon afoot. Is 1t
really anything worth while?
Rather" Raikes interjected drily,
'the present rulers abdicating In IA
vor of his son, child Of twelve. That
puts the business in a class by itself"
But why should a prince hand over
the reins Of government to a child
OF twelve! There must be some rea'
son for It. Isn't 1t known?" asked
Amber.
who can fathom a Hlndu's mindT
grunted Farrell. II daresay there's
some scandalous native intrigue at
: the bottom Of 1t. Eth, Raikes?"
The Resident shook his head.
Don't come to this shop for informa-
ton about what goes on in Khanda-
war. l doubt II there's another Resi-
dent in India who knows as little Of
the underhand devilment in his state
as I do. His majesty the Rama loves
me as a cheetah loves his trainer.
He's an intractable rascal"
There have been a number Of
deaths from cholera in the Palace late
", the grand vizier's amongst them"
white arsenic cholera?"
THAT, and the hemp poison kind"
Refractory vizier?" questioned Far
rell. "The kind that wants to re-
trench and institute reforms-rall-
ways and metalled roads and 30
forth?"
mo: he was quite suited to his
master. But the bazaar says Naraini
took a dislike to him for one reason
or another"
'NarainI?" Queried Amber.
THE genius Of the place" Raikes
nodded toward the Raj Mahal. shining
like a pearl through the darkness on
the hillside over against the Resi-
dency. she's saligs head queen. At
least that's about e. near TO her
status 90 one can gst. She's not actu-
ally his queen, but some sort Of
hsritags from the Rutton dynaSty-I
hardly know what Or Why. Salig never