The Washington times., 1911-07-24
PROLOGUE.
The Captitves,


TN THE Buddhist monastery of Tad
sa-fuh, In a lofty chamber thai
II overlooked the valley, two girls
were sitting. One was weeping
as II her heart would break, her head
resting upon the others shoulder
while from time to time she caught
words of comfort which only served
to draw forth q renewal of the tears
Don't cry, Jill-don't" said Jack
I'm not crying, and 1 don't mean to
certainly not until a whole year has
passed. He said he'd come. and
know he will-Why. Jillv
Jack lifted a strand of copperish
hair to her sisters face and dried her
sycb.
but 1t seems so long-so fright
fully lonE-and we're getting old!'
Ju sobbed.
Eyes. we're getting old" laughed
Jack. I'm twenty, or shall be soon;
and you-you're not very much
younger; are you, dear7"
But I'm wild-Im desperate to get
away. It's a panic-yes, I'm sure it's
a panie-but can't help it Jack, my
little sister, I can't. 1 know we're
doomed to live here always. Only
think how many years have passed,
and we were little children when we
came. Do you think-do you really
think he'll Gomez"
There was something pathetic in the
tone of faith, the implicit confidence
with which the younger girl appealed.
"Do l think so? Yes. dear, 1 know
he WILL" said Jack resolutely. her
dark eyes defying the odds that were
set against them. She kissed Jill upon
the arm. the hands. the breast. She
had teen a mother to the child
through all these years-since the
death Of their missionary parents in
that desolate region of the Himal-
ayas.
Drawing her sister close upon her
shoulder, and then gazing into the
face that was a counterpart of her
own. Jack said:
What a pretty girl you are. jill!
Why, II I were a man I'd never leave
you for a minute, If 1 could help it"
You know 1t will be for you, If he
comes at ALL" Jill answered. trying
10 hold back a little smile of COM
placency; though of course l should
go along" she added demurely, after
a minute.
"But I'm not sure that 1 shall let
you. I've half a mind to marry you to
The abbot What a dear little abbess
you would make. now. Jill"
"I could be anything If / had your
faith and courage. 1 could even bear
this. But, oh. Jack! Just to think of
spending ones entire time in this ter
rible place"
Again she burst into tears. The
memory of the past, the uncertain
prospects of the future. was deaden-
Ing to every hope. Even Jack. with
II I'll
thought Through all these years but
once had knowledge of the outer
world been brought, and in measure
tEsZ were satisfied with the life which
the lamas offered. Ignorant of their
native land and kin. they had learned
to look for nothing better. But a
change had come with the arrival of
q stranger. He was from their own
dear country, and stirred within them
memories which had not been aroused
since childhood.
An American. fresh. breezy. buoy
ant, Roedler had come upon them un-
awares The story of their captivity
in these far-off wtlds had reached
him, and he would save the girls II
he lost his life in doing so. He had
reached the Buddhist monastery,
feat which he had been told was i'm
possible; but to leave Tad-sa-fuh. in
company with the Varney girls, was
he had not been able to
q accomplish Only with the sisters
aid, and alone, could he escape. Only
bv saving his own life could he hope
tc rescue them. He had filled them
with new hopes.
He had promised to return at the
earliest possible day, and would take
them again to their native land. He
had counseled them to be brave, to
have patience. and never to lose their
faith in him.
They should not die alone and for
gotten-not If it required an army
to make good his word. 1t would take
long to go to England and return, and
IT was essential to the enterprise. that
he should do so.
Great deserts. continents, and oceans
were to cross; but, never mind. he
would come again, and with the means
TO help.
It might be an entire year-it would
certainly be months-before he could
return. II he died. he would leave
the mission to another, SO that 1t
should not fail.
All this while a red lamp should be
burning in the window. It was the
signal agreed upon between them.
and Jill had been faith
full to the trust, and each night, as
the sun went down. 1t was lighted.