Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-01
CHAPTER XI,-Continued.

David, bowling smiled with sudden en-
Hghtenment. All the while his memory
had been cropping and striving: and now
he recalled where, many months ago.
many miles away. he had seen this olive
countenance, with its curved lines. by
turns so mobile and SO impassive, SO
clouded in mournful pride or aDght with
boyish pleasure.
eff you wish it,. he replied. las a
matter Of fact, though, I could name
your kingdom up there. l saw you once
not fncognito. Do you remember. at the
Hongkong races. an ugly little gray geld
ing named Chop-Chop?'
The sultan widened his great eyes. He
gave a subdued cry.
Remember" His laugh sounded like
a mellow bell. my Chop-Chop? Why,
that pony beat Bintang, my roam stallion,
by half a head. Never enjoyed better
surprise in my life! Remember? bought
Chop-Chop next day. just for that. Happy
Valley meeting. two years ago" All
clouds had left the sultan's face. He
talked in q low, even. melodious cadence
too polite for eagerness: but his curved
lips quivered gleefully and his fine white
teeth flashed 81 bought the horse from
a little chap-let me sea little cnap
named Pryce."
fright" David joined his laugh, for
the royal animation was catching. got
Pryce that pony. from the north OF China
snapped him out of herd of grifins. :"
His companion flung dignity and custom
so far to the winds as to pat him on the
elbow.
mo. Did your. The ruler Of men had
vanished; in his place stood delighted
Chop-Chop? You can always be proud
of that. say. Bowman. you'll have to
stay over with me down here and see me
through this affair. I was being bored
fiat. You must stay
Sri Rama Vicrama had somehow. quiet
ly and decorously slipped his black
silken cuff, heavy with crusted gold. under
Davids plain sleeve of white drill. and
with the same gentle insistence. had be-
gun pressing forward to where the alley
Of moss opened among the leaves.
At the risk of discourtesy David hung
back.
I'm afraid he protested. that we
mustn't forget. The robbery, you see, and
this fellow Rosario. You said he can
place you in trying position?"
His companion unlocked arms, halted
and swore a round oath by the name OF
Can? The beggar has already" His
frowning at the sunlit water. Horses.
he declared. from out this meditation.
horses drive everything else out OF my
head, you know" Presently he turned
with negligent but gracious air, inviting
David to follow. Come inside mere TIL l
show you this matter"
Erect and 1.-THE, with swaying gait. In
which every movement was piece OF re-
gal composure, he entered the gap In the
waringin grove: and began slowly 70
thread a winding path among the
branches. David came after, wondering
Sandals and boots alike trod silently In
deer moss. delicate as peach bloom, in
imitably green. The pleasant odor Of the
A~n Ia
virtue under adversely. in the immemorial
comparison; and through 1t, sleeping the
cool heart of the wood, drifted the al
Turing smell of fresh water. and all those
dewy fragrances which hover about fresh
Waterfront roots, from small hidden
blossoms from leaves long chilled by the
night and now stirring in early sunlight.
Here" said the sultan. after a final
turn of the maze. "One moment please"
II seemed as fitting as an act OF ritual
| that he should lower his voice, and that.
| pausing where the moss spread wide in
| the green carpet of a fairy ring. he should
nut off the sandals from his feet. The
| two men faced circular bower. walled
and twisted, like bootlaces and torn bas-
ket work, long creepers and banyan roots
all furred with brilliant moss. The place
contained three things: A mixture OF
light and shadow as nottled as the Deer
Fight on the sultan's skirt; huge bundle
of messy pillars. great and small con-
torted alike. where an aged banyan
reared its trunk. and close under this,
coated with the same living green, the
long, low mound Of q grave.
"Here." continued the sultan. quietly. as
before. lis the tomb Of my ancestor
behind his back, David, with the awk-
wardness of western barbarian. was
tureing of hts boots. The speaker turned
and caught him In the act.
II didn't expect that" The heavy Ma
| layan lips parted In q smile. but not Of
| ridicuie The liquid Malayan eyes con-
| yeyed more than the words: Il Well,
iii remember 1t. Bowman"
Silent again they stood beside each