Gilpin observer., 1911-11-30

Hul tHch Jul. AHu when tulS was
done, she composedly ordered her pipe
and threw herself lazily at length
upon pile of kincob cushions, her
posture the more careless since she
knew herself secure from observation;
the garden being private to her use.
The tread Of boots with jingling
spurs sounded in the gallery, warning
her. She sighed, smiled dangerously
to herself. and carelessly adjusted her
veil. leaving rather more than half her
face bare. Salig Singh entered the
garden and found his way TO hef, tow.
ering over her beneath the canopy,
brave in his green and tinsel uniform.
She looked up with listless hauteur
that expressed her attitude toward the
man.
"Achcha!" she said. sharply. Thou
art tardy, heaven-born. Yet have
waited for thee this half-hour gone,
heavy with sleep though / be-waited
to know the pleasure of my lord"
There was a mockery but family
disguised in her tone. The maharana
seemed to find 1t not unpleasant, for
he smiled grimly beneath his mus
tache.
There was work to be DONE" he
said briehy-"for the cause. And thou
-thow has thou wrought, o Breaker Of
Hearts?"
The woman clasped her hands be-
hind her head. Am not Naraini?"
"The man is ours?"
Mine" she corrected amiably His
face darkened with a scowl of jeal-
ousy and she laughed in open derision.
Were l Naraini could l not divine
the heart of man."
by what means?"
What is that to thee, o heaven
born?" She snuggled her body COM
placently into the luxurious pie of
cushions. IF ! have accomplished the
task thou didst set for me, what con-
cern hast thou with the means l did
employ? Thou art only Salig Singh.
maharana of Khandawar, but l am
Naraini. free woman"
Thou" Rage choked the rajput.
Thou he sputtered-"thou art"
Softly, heaven-born, softly-lest
loose a thunderbolt for thy destruc-
ton. Is 1t wise to forget that Naraini
holds thy fate in the hollow of her
hands," She sat forward, speaking
swiftly and with malice. Thou art
pledged to produce Har Dyal Rutton
in the Hall of the Bell before another
sunrise, and none but Naraini knows
to what a perilous resort thou art
driven to redeem thy word
'T was lied to-" he argued sullenly.
fp1 tnla tN,-.H
who hath repented of his error. If
was told that Har Dyal Rutton would
be in India upon such-and-such a day,
am to blame that did promise to
b.-ng him to the Gateway"
And seeing that the man is dead,
art thou to blame for bringing in his
place a substitute, even so poor a
changeling as this man Amber? Nay.
be not angry; do l blame thee? Have
thou dost desire? g.. Thou
shouldst be grateful to me, rather
than menace me with thine anger.
.. And" she added. sweetly, lit
were well for thee that thou shouldst
bear always in mind my intimacy with
thy secret. II thou art king. then l
am more than queen. in Khandawar."
Il am not angry. Naraini." he told
her humbly, but mad with love for
thee"
And lust. my lord. for-power." she
interpolated.
But il what thou has said be
true"
WHO lies to the king, is already
dead man.. Why should / trouble to
deceive thee. heaven-born? tell
thee, the man is won. The day shall
declare 1t: this night will he ride with
me to Kathiapur. Why didst thou not
tarry to eavesdrop? Indeed thou hast
lost an opportunity that may never
second time be thine-to learn OF the
wiles of woman"
There was work to be DONE" he re-
peated. II went to take measures
against thy failure
20 thou of little faith"
Nay. why should / neglect proper
precautions? Whether thy confidence
be justified or not this night will Har
Dyal Rutton-or one like him-endurc
the ordeal OF the Gateway"
so have told thee" she assented
equally. HE will come, because
Naraini bids him"
1T may be so. II not, another lure
shall draw him.
She started with annoyance. "The
Englishwoman OF the picture?"
Have l named her?" He lifted his
heavy brows in affected surprise.
Nay, but"
Secret for secret" he offered;
mine for thine. Is 1t a bargain, o
Pearl of Khandawar?"
Keep thy silly secret. then. as I
will keep mine own counsel" she said,
with assumed disdain. 1t was no
part of wisdom, In her understanding,