The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1914-09-11

ahmed! Ahmed" cried Kathlyu.
Yes, heaven born; but hurry, hur-
ry! Umballa will return to search
as soon as he can get the better OF his
legs. silva take that battery that was
worn out! Heaven born, you are now
a queen in fact"
Il want to go home, Ahmed. home!"
Here's the gharri. Here, sahib!"
he held out handful of cartridges to-
ward Bruce. These fit Lal Singh's
pistols, Hurry, hurry"
Bruce helped Kathlyn into the We
hicle and jumped in beside her, and
/ Ahmed struck the horse. The gharri
was rickety old contriVance, every
hinge creaking like some lost soul; but
Ahmed had reasoned that the more
dllapldated the vehicle, the less con-
spicuous it would be. He urged the
| horse. He wanted the flying mob to
, think that he was flying, too, which,
indeed, he was The gharri rolled and
careened like dory in a sQuall. A
dozen times Bruce and Kathlyn were
flung together, and quite unconscious
ly she caught hold of his lean, strong
brown hand. 1t would not be true to
say that he was unconscious of the
act.
Presently they entered the paved
streets of the bazaars, and the going
improved. Kathlyn leaned back
Il am kathryn Hare, and this is the
year
Come, now5SMiss Kathlyn no think
ing; leave the whole business to me,
the worry and the planning. If we
can reach my elephants, all right;
we'll be in Delhi within seven days.
The rest Of the going will be as simple
as falling off log"
That Yankee phrase did more to re-
habilitate her than all his assurances
From time to time Bruce stole a
glance through the curtained ldow
Stragglers were hpstening along close
to the walls, and there were soldiers
who had forgotten to bring their guns
from the elephant arena. Once he
heard the clatter Of hoofs. A horse
man ran along"ide the gharri, slowed
up, peered down, and shrugged. Kath-
lyn shrank toward Bruce. The rider
proceeded on his way Ahmed recog-
nized him as the ambassador from the
neighboring principally, ruled by
kumor, who was in turn ruled by the
British raj. Kathlyn could not shut
out the leer on his face.
BY midafternoon the gharri reached
Bruce's camp. Ramabai and Pundi-
ia greeted Kathlyn with delight. All
their troubles were over. They had.
but to mount the elephants and ride
away.
Ahmed" urged Kathlyn. leave the
gharri and come with us."
No, memsahib, Ahmed gazed at
her strangely-'T have work to do, |
much work. Allah guard you!" he
struck the horse with his bamboo and |
careened away.
Let US be off," cried Bruce. I'VE |
have so miles to put between us and |
freedom in fact. We cannot make the
railway. Ali, pack. Go to the bun
galow and remain there. You will be
questioned. Tell the truth There is
not an elephant in the royal stables
that can beat Raiah. All aboard No
stops!" smiling as he helped Kathlyn
into the howdah 1--WE shall be forced |
to ride all night"
The elephants started forward, that
ridden by Bruce and Kathlyn in the
lead, Ramabai and Pundita following
a few yards In the rear.
Mr.. Bruce, l am sure Ahmed has
some information regarding father.
don't know what. Who knows? They
may have lied to me. He may be
alive, alive!"
I'll return and find out, once I've
got you safe. | don't blame you for
all this a nightmare. God
knows it's nightmarish. Do you know,
I've been thinking it over. 1t appears
to me that the king latterly took dis
like to his protege, Umballa, and
turned this little trick to make him un-
happy. l daresay he thought your "a
Their wise enough to remain away, Um-
balla hangs between wind and wa
ter; he can go neither forward nor
backward. But poor Ramabai back
here will lose his gold for this"
"Ramabai has always been very
kindly to the poor; and the poor man
defends his benefactor when
the right time comes. To Umballa
was only means to the end. If he
declared himself. king, that would
,pen up the volcano upon which he
stands; but as my prince consort, that
would leave him fairly secure"
Only a. means" unused Bruce In.
vardly, stealing a glance at her sad
ret lovely profile. Umballa was a
nan, for all his color; he was human:
md to see this girl 1t was only human
O want her. Your father was one of
he best friends had. But, oddly