Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1913-11-08
q

o----- orb of temple or marble
minaret But it was not at the ma
tive city Paul looked; rather at the
mushroom town which had sprung up
almost overnight, with its acres of
canvas and high scaffolding. King
George and Queen Mary were TO be
crowned in their magnificent pavilion
on the third morning, when all the
feudatory chiefs of the sub-continent
would present themselves before them
TO pledge their loyalty.
1t was the first time that a reigning
British sovereign had set foot within
the boundaries of his Indian empire.
And the cause of this long journey
was known TO every one. India was
seething with disaffection, so that 1t
required the presence of the king-em-
peror to strike home into the magma
ton of the natives something OF the
power of the British sway.
When, glittering with gems and
gold, the native princes bent before
their majesties, the symbol of the act
would impress all the myriads who
would be watching from walls and
towers and packing every road and
footpath of the ancient capital.
Paurs mission had been suddenly
determined on. The League of Lost
Causes, as it was popularity termed,
sitting at its headquarters, had re-
solved that Englands prestige must
be shattered in the East, that, out Of
her difficulties, something might be
gained. The league spun webs within
webs; no stroke was planned but had
some bearing upon its ultimate ends;
the restoration of the monarchical
ideal among the peoples and the over
throw of democracy. And England.
as the leader of the democratic ma
tons of Europe, was hated perhaps
most bitterly by those who directed
the league.
Jean Rosny, its secretary, had
called on Paul in Paris and outlined
the situation.
Desperate as the chance appears"
he said, "it requires only determine
ton and self-confidence to effect our
purpose. The British power is tot
tering; India will never willingly see
king from overseas crowned in the
sacred capital of the Moguls. We have
secured the adhesion of the most pow
erful of the feudatory princes-the
Jam of Nagshipur. He commands
thirty millions of subjects-as many
as the population of all Italy. The ma
tive troops look to him as their lead
er and will follow him. When he
stands before King George and Queen
Mary, then, instead of pledging his
loyalty, he will address their native
bodyguard. order them into arrest, and
himself pluck the crown from the
british sovereign's head and place 1t
bn his own. Delhi will acclaim him
Emperor, and all India will be ablaze
with rebellion.
Now, my dear Paul." Rosny had
continued, unfortunately the Jam,
who alone can commit this action
with the certainty of success, is vacil-
lating. Educated at Oxford, he has
something Of an Englishman's loyal
ty to his emperor, or rather, let us
say, he realizes the might of Eng
lands power. But the thought of do
minion has dazzled him. He can be
persuaded. You will go, then, to his
palace at Delhi and communicate with
him through his chief officer, Ram
chundra Sing, our Indian representa-
tive. Together you will overcome the
Jams reluctance. And to prevent all
possibility of failure | may tell you
that, out of the millions which you
have placed at the disposal of the
league. we have devoted nearly $780,
900 to this purpose.
And now, Paul, l may speak upon
subject more to your heart than
even this magnificent opportunity to
overthrow the power of England in
the East | will speak as man to man
and not as the leagues western secre-
tary. am not blind TO the perception
o. your ultimate desires; you love
Mademoiselle, as we have agreed to
term her-the mysterious, unknown
woman who visited you in America
and pledged you and your millions to
our cause. You feel that we are play
ing with you-Eo, don't protest
utilizing your services and your mil
lions without the intention to admit
YOU into our councils. Rest assured
that Mademoiselle has followed each
effort OF yours with interest and ap
probation, and that, If you succeed in
this endeavor, you shall at least learn
her identity. That much l guarantee
and the rest shall come after"
This much Paul recalled as he
looked down upon the Durbar city
with tents and pavilions and flying
flags, roped-off courses for camels
and elephants, and its circles of seat:
for the spectators. The Jam, claC
in the robes of empire, was at last re
solved to make his coup at the psyche
logical moment. So much he hat
learned at an interview with Ram
chundra Sing, a Sikh of high lineage
who, speaking in fiawless Engllsh, al
lated upon the possibilities OF TIT
scheme
Think of it, Mr.. Lane" he said, al
his eyes flashed, "a continent OF three
hundred million souls dominated b!
seventy thousand English troops
Why, we shall sweep them away a
the wind sweeps the threshing hoor
But first we need the man. And tn
Jam has determined to cast his al
upon this throw"
poul bsd on oDpointment at tn