The Huttig news., 1911-09-23

neers.
 "I'm Labertouche, l. S. s. This is Miss Farrell. daughter of Colonel Far rell. and this Mir Amber of New York. We've just escaped from that rock over there and-if you'll pardon-fd suggest you set a strong guard over the ford behind those tamarisks.''
 One moment. please" The officer strode off to issue instructions n ac- cordance with Labertouches advice. We got here only quarter of an hour ago" he apologized, swinging back as the men deployed into the thicket, "and haven't had time to nose out the lay of the land thoroughly"
 From the ford an abrupt clamor of voices interrupted. The officer hook ed up his scabbard Sounds as |, fny men had gathered in somebody els" he said hastily "If you'll excuse me. I'll have look" He trotted off into the shade of the tamarisks.
 As he disappeared the disturbance sbated somewhat. False alarm" Am Der guessed.
 T fancy not" said Lahertouche. "If | III UOl misldhtn OuT ITl6nQ H3Ta1nl left for the special purpose of ra sing the hue and cry. This should be the vanguard of the pursuit" "
 Amber looked upward Overhead the soulless city slumbered in a still ness apparently unbroken, yet he who saw its profile rugged against the stars, could fancy what consternation was then. or presently would be. run ming riot through it's haunted ways.
 How many of 'em are there. do you reckon?" he asked.
 Three or four hundred" replied the secret agent absontly; the pick and flower of Indian unrest. My word. but this will kick up a row! Think of 1t, man! three hundred and fifty odd lords and princes bagged all at oneo in the act of plotting the Second Mu- tiny! What a change 1t will work on the political face of the land! And the best of 1t Is. they simply can't get away"
 Amber was thinking with vindictiye relish of what fate he would mete out to the manipulator of the Bell, were 1t left to him to pass sentence. But he broke of as a body of soldiery burst from the tamarisks. and, hcaded by young Rowan, hurried toward the three, bringing with them a silent and unresisting prisoner
 'I say" the officer called excItedly in advance. here's something uncom- mon rum. It's a woman. you know"
 oh~ orI said Amber, with a click of his teeth. while the woman on his arm clung to him the closer.
 "I thought we'd better bring her to you, for she said '' Rowan paused, embarrassed, and took a fresh start My men got to the ford just as she was coming ashore with three other men. and the whole pack took to cover on this side. Two of the men are still missing, but we routed out the other just now with this-ah- lady. He showed fight and got bay onetted. But the wcman-excnse me, l Mir. Amber-she protests-by George, it's too ridiculous,--.
 T have claimed naught that is net true!" an unforgettably sweet voice interrupted from the center of tEe group. It opened out dis 'osing Ma raini between two guards. in that mo ment of passion and fear perhars more incomparably beautiful than any woman they had ever looked upon. save her who held to Amber's arm, a-quiver with womanly sympathy aud compassion.
 Aye, have claimed!" she stormed. 'I have claimed justice and the rights of wifehood, the protection of him whose wife am; or, If he deny me, claim that he must suffer with me he who hath played the traitors pert tonight, betraying his Cause and his wife alike to their downfall! I claim she insisted, lifting. in spite of the soldiers restraining hands. one small quivering arm to single Amber out and point him to scorn, that this is the man who, welded to me by solemn right and the custom of the land, hath deserted and abandoned me, hath denied me even as he denies his birthright, when 1t doth please him, and forswears the faith of his fathers! I claim to be Naraini, Queen, wife to liar Dyal Rutton, rightful ruler of Khandawar-coward. traitor, rene gade-who stands there."