The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1912-03-30
BY Il. M. EoBERT

imaginary eueMy.f CLEARLY lHiIuA- A4e 80
AFFECTED BusSapa's mind. I, 81
what Is II? What do you seer
asked DeWchund, lis knees shaking as
IFS superstitlous fears oyercanle him.
"Hold your tongue" shouted Bus.
sapa, apparently regainihg his seIf-con-
troll. "You tod me that you would
bring suit against me within three
days. Well. have brought you your
money. Give me your account"
Dewchund produced his ledger and
at once began adding up the total
amount OF BusSapa.s indebtedness, to-
gether with the interest due Bus
sapa, apparently calmer, sat beside him
and looked on. When the amount had
been figured Bissapa began 10 wran-
gle for a reduction, in the customary
manner, SO that the money.lender be-
came convinced th-t his visitor had.
In some unknown. manner, obtained
the money and wac prepared to pay
him. Dewchund. after much bargain
ing. agreed to knock OF lump sum
On condition Of immediate settlement.
! and Bussapa, still g:umbling, at length
agreed to his terms.
"Now bring out the mortgage deed
and the other bouGs." said the Nah
rata, land ind9rEe them as dis;
charged. Then you will write me out
a receipt in full .; fepE all the money
aue." s.a,lr,s,g58 al N. ,5ut4, u
Dewchund began to demur to this
proposition, Ray me- my money
hrst," he said, thinking that Bussapa
carried the amount with him in, the
form Of notes, -. qo.s,,..
Bussapa became highly ,incensed.
Don't you believe have the money!"
he shouted. I'm not lying. / have
brought the full amount with me, but
not In money put the bag in your
stable. Come and see it,
Dewchund was greatly alarmed at
these words, thinking that his visitor
meant to lure him ont of the house and
Murder him. But he was physically a
match for the Mahratta, weakened as
the latter was by dissipation and, his
cupidity conquering his fears, he rose
and followed his visitor. Having
stopped to light lantern, he hurried
In the wake Of the Mahratta into a
shed. In one corner Of which was a
Quantity Of dried fuel that had evident
l4y been disturbed. Bussapa took the
lantern from the money.lender and led
The way into the furthest corner,
where he set 1t down; then, turning
suddenly, he caught Dewchund by the
throat with one hand so that he could
not cry out, and forced him down upon
the ground Then he said, kissing into
his ear:
"You devil, I have paid you with my
sons life. I've killed little Blow and
hidden his body among the fuel If
you don't agree to what say I'll raise
the alarm at once and accuse you OF
l'taving murdered him for the sake of
his ornaments and silver bangles.
Quick! Make your decision! Cancel
the debt! II you consent, raise your
right arm, and then come back with
me to your shop"
stupefied with fear, Dewchund
raised his arm obediently, and Bussa-
pa, still holding him firmly, half led
and half dragged him back into the
house where, after again threatening
him in case he should call out, Bus
sapa released him.
Now you are paid" he said In low
voice. "Give me the papers and a re-
ceipt In full at once"
Dewchund, In whom the Arst shock
Of horror had abated, now said:
What is going to be done with the
body?" +" '"' 49,
we viii take 1t away presently and.
bury 1t ID the intercourse" answered
the Mahratta ..,.ish f7s =. l.'' ~.
Dewchund, trembling with fear, duly
Endorsed the papers and handed them.
to Bussapa. at the same time writing
out full receipt for all Indebtedness.
Then he took a light and followed
Bussapa to the shed.
Bussapa took the little body from
among the fuel, wrapped It In his
blanket and ordered Dewchund to lead
the way to a dry watercourse a few
yards distant and to bring spade
with him. There Bussapa dug deep
hole in the loose gravel and buried the
victim, heaping large stones upon the
body. Toward daylight, after making
considerable detour, they returned
TO the confines of the village, where
they separated, Bussapa assuring Dew
chund that he need have no fear.
There are some wandering Kaikar-
ris encamped near the village" he said
to the money.lender. Tomorrow I
shall accuse them Of having lured my
son away aud murdered him"
The KaIkarrls are one Of the preda-
tory tribes, something like gypsies,
who, ostensibly carrying on the trade
of basket weaving, do not hesitate to
rob, or even murder, when opportunity
affords. In this instance the silver
anklets of little BLOW would have fur
nished a satisfactory motive.
Perhaps the deYllish plot might have
Succeeded had Bussapa remained sober.
But his brain was in no condition to
bear the weight of this conspiracy.
| Ta,,,oT1uod Grant I,nraa In a Condition