The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1912-02-19
CHAPTER XIV.

o~SSp POA0tA a@A08, IL UooASOs SAo vSAJ
bowels of the Raj Mahal. 1t ended un-
expectedly in q low arch through
which the twosmen passed into an
open courtyard. apparently given over
entirely to stables. Despite the late
ness Of the hour It was tenanted by
several wideawake syces. dancing at
tendance upon pair Of blooded stall
lions, Of the stud royal. who saddled.
bridled and hooded, paved and
champed indpatiently in the center of
the yard. making it echo with the
ringing Of iron on stone and the jim
Cling Of their silver curb-chains.
Salig Singh paused, with q wave Of
his hand calling Amber's attention to
the superb brutes.
Thou canst see, hazoor. that all u
prepared"
For whatl"
But Salig Singh merely smiled eng
matically, and shaking a patient head.
passed on.
A second arch gave upon a corridor
which led upwards and presently
changed into a steep flight Of steps,
OF ancient storm worn smooth and
grooved with the trafic Of generations
Of naked feet At the top they turned
aside and passed through a heavy
door which Salig Singh unlocked with
private key, into a vast, vacant
room, with Q lofty ceiling supported
by huge, unwieldy pillars Of stone,
scul6tured with all the loves and wars
OF Hindu mythology. At one end the
fitful. eerie flare of great bronze
brazicr revealed the huge proportions
OF an ivory throne, gorgeous with
gems and cloth Of gold, standing upon
dais and fianked by two motionless
figures which at first sight Amber took
to be pieces Of statuary. But they
quickened. saluting with a single
movement and fash of steel, as the
maharana drew nearer, and so proved
themselves troopers Of the state,
standing guard with naked swords.
There is no need, perhaps, to tell
thee, hazoor.* Salig Singh muttered,
bending to Amber's ear, that sitting
upon this throne. in this Hall of Au-
ruled this land. making and admins
tering it's laws, melting out justice.
honored Of all men-and served, my
lord. for generations by my forebears.
the faithful stewards Of thy house:
even as l would prove faithful
Interesting" Amber interrupted,
brusquely, III true. Is this what you
wanted to show me?"
NAY. hazoor. not this alone Come"
The rajput led him out of the hall
by way Of a small doorway behind the
throne. and after q little turning and
twisting through tortuous passages
they began to ascend again, and so
went on up. ever upwards, the flight Of
steps broken by other corridors, other
apartments. other galleries and gar
dens. until at length they emerged
into a garden laid out in the very top
most court of all-the Hottest SPOT In
all Kuttarpur.
1t was very beautiful. garden .
jungle Of exotic plants and shrubs
threaded by narrow walks that led
to secluded hooks. and unsuspected
pleasaunces, and lighted by low-swung
festoons Of dim lamps, many-color4d.
my lord" said the maharana, paus-
ing. III thou wilt wait here for a little.
permitting me to excuse myself"
All right" Amber told him toler-
antly. run along"
Sally Singh quietly effaced himself.
and the American watched him 70
with an inward chnckle. II presume
I'll have to pay for my impudence in
the end" he thought: but It's costing
Salig Singh good deal to hold him
self in" He moved away from the els
tern, idling down path in direction
opposite that taken by Salig Singh.
An abrupt turn brought him to the
outer wall, and he stopped to gaze.
leaning upon the low marble bAlus-
trade. .5s
Amber turned away to rejoin Sally
Singh BY the scistern. But the rajput
was not there: and. presently. another
path tempting him to unlawful explo-
ration, be yielded and sauntered aim
lessly away. A sudden corner cloaked
with Foliage brought him to a little
open space; patch Of lawn over
which q canopy had been raised. Be
meath this, woman sat alone. He
halted, thunderstruck.
simultaneously. with a soft swish
of draperies. = clash of jeweled brace
let's, dull and musical, and a fash Of
coruscating color. the woman stood
before him. young. slender, graceful,
CARRIED in indescribable splendor-and
yelled.
For the space Of three long breaths
the Virginian hesitated, unspeakably
amased. Though she were yelled, 1t
were deep dishonor for q woman Of q
rajput's household to be seen By
stranger. 1t seemed inexplicable that
Salig Singh should have unwittinxly
left him in any place where he might
encounter an inmate of the zenana
Yet the maharana must have known
Amber made IN irresolute
~ Il to 90. But II was toe
late.
With murmur. inaudible,. and q
swift. Infinitely alluring gesture. the
woman swept the Vofl away nom hnr