Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-09
CHAPTER XVII.-Continued.

CHAPTER XVII.-Continued.
Rarna's voice, gentle and persuAding.
trailed Off into silence. His brown hand,
cropping before him as for some word at
the finger tips. dropped into his lap.
.'Oh, very hard to say" he laughed;
then, appealing to Miss Arnot, with a sud
den. bright, boyish look, "Wfll you let me
tell you in q story?'
David never liked him better. or the girl
half SO well, as now when they agreed
and turned. with nod and a smile. for
his consent.
The sultan, watching the soft play of
lightning over the trees, took up his al
Iegory.
I'm the old days." he began. slowly.
"Rajah Suran marched upon his elephant
to battle. In his army went a youth
ramed Perak. my mothers forefather. At
the Emerald Place they met the host of
Rajah Chulan coming on like sea waves.
with horses and elephants like islands
and q golden Jungle Of banners. The
armies rushed together. The shock was
loud as Gabriefs voice or the blast that
makes all nothing Bull elephant and
bull elephant whetted their tusks and
cored: horses bit horses: the dust and
the flying Of arrows blinded the sky like
an eclipse. SO that In the darkness men
cried amok on their friends till blood laid
the dust. And Rajah Suran pierced Ra-
jah Chulan with an arrow, so that he fell
dead from his high elephant, like a mon
key from q palm. All this is written in
Sajarat Malayu.
men fought. and tens Of thousands, but
the bravest of all was the young man
Perak. my forefather and my mothers,
for he ragged among them like tigers
squawking. So all men cried: 'Perak,
the bravest In two armies!'"
Rama spoke in low chant: he made
TO gesture. but his face glowed.
The women waited in the city, he
continued. "Ampu. the rajah's daughter,
sat on q balcony Of black stone. She was
a brave woman Of lofty spirit. The army
returned and passed below her. She wore
n her hair q single champaka blossom
This Ampu was very beautiful. they say
was a child.) So the mobiles passed, in
their finest war clothes. and the horse
men and the elephants with painted fore
heads; they all marched by in order. and
young Perak among them, on foot, plainly
dressed. No word of him had reached
the city, for the host came in solemnly
without shouting. But Ampu looked down
from her black stone balcony. and Perak
met p '''' inc ''0"'' ana 50 '"e'f eyes
Rama paused bent on his hearers
troubled frown. and like marksman who
has missed his aim. gave q short laugh
of vexation.
How shall you understand? ?" he cried
This il not a story of love 1 am telling!
Ampu saw the young man. The look
i,assed between them. as 1 have said-as
the little butterfly hawk darts. from one
tree to another. She had never heard
Perak's name. He was marching among
ten thousand men. But the rajah's daugh-
ter took the single blossom from her hair
and tossed it down to him-to him alone.
And Perak. catching 1T. marched on. That
is all my story"
The speaker leaned back in his chair,
but watched Miss Arnot eagerly. with
wide, serious eyes. David watched also.
The lamplight touched her hair in bronze
CLEANS. powdery specks Of radiance. like
The sunshine notes in darkened ROOM
She sat looking out from the veranda
thoughtfully. Over q dark fringe Of Gin
chonas the clouds came rolling up. now
and then bianched by the warm lightning,
that struck through them as through rag
ged paper lanterns Thunder had been
grumblinG In the plains. and now q nearer
burst Of IL came shuddering up the ravine,
like surf crashing into q split promontory.
think said Mary Arnot. when the
YOU. Tuan Rama" Turning. she met his
eyes: her own. dark blue and lighted from
within. answered him frankly and freely.
Your story makes me very proud and
j
understand-l" She paused. recalling
something. A fine color flushed in her
cheeks. Twill this help. in part? We, in
our tongue. have q poet who tells US
how In It. again?-
10 cannt the lilo Of battle good,
And dssrer ret the brothersood ''1 '''' !.
That binds the brave Of ell the earth"
The sultan whipped out Of his chair,
bowed to her and stood erect.
delight 81 thought it was SO before.
knew 1t was so when we metz
Footsteps returned along the tiled We
randa- Miss Arnot rose.
Our hostess has had a long day OF 1t.
We shall see each other tomorrow" And
before Mrs. Hemmes came within earshot
the girl held out her hand quickly to Da-
vid. you have forgiven me?"
Forgiven your" he stammered. in be-
wilderment. "For what2"
For thinking Of myself" she answered.
For sending you into danger. As if-as
Do your
At that David forgot everything. It was
the fault Of her question: her hand; her
eyes. that shone SO near and with such
candor. A hundred resolves and cautions.
well made and long pent. flew down the
wind like straws.
never be such talk between us!''
Her hand was gone In q flash.
Good night, then" Her smile remained
friendly. but there was trouble in II and
alteration. Thank you. Mr.. Bowman,
and you, Tuan Rama Yes. Kate, I'm
coming" She drew back as Mrs. Hemmes
arrived. Good night"
The two women had hardly disappeared
into the house. when the clouds. rolling
up from the plains, carried the breast
work OF cinchona tops and swept over
head. Thunder shook the whole planta-
iion; the air became a subtle white flame,
quivering everywhere, and showing all the
leaves q brilliant green all the garden
flowers motionless. bright red and vivid
white. Then. in binding darkness with
out wind, a few heavy drops of rain spat
the driveway and the steps.
Showers coming" said David, grufny.
Let's to quarters.
In the bachelors wing, q low, detached
building on the right. their veranda lamps
burned under a trellis or pergola To-
ward this the two friends ran, pelted with
multiplying drops.
Once In shelter between the lamps Rama
broke out laughing. quietly. The rain
had streaked his face like tears. and bead
ed the links Of his chain with pendants
brighter than glass.
Not to herr" he painted. holding Da-
vid's arm. Not to her! Don't try, my
dear chap" HIS big eyes danced in
shrewd and sober mockery. You can
not talk to womeni You have a heart of
gold. but the brains Of q buffaIo!"