The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-02-14
H'ErH?A A ll]D0'V6E l 1EEalNN 7 ]E U7RlE$ or' 1& A l1T 1E!lI7I1 Y27 1N
By HAROLD MAC A.

Tmballa recoiled. This was no longer Sa'adi's houri
but the young woman who had mastered the lion in the
railway train. Rage supplanted the ~1ssion in his heart.
Since she would not bend, she should break. AS her arm
sank he sprang forward like q cat and seized her wrist.
He was not gentle. The dagger tinkled as it struck tn"
marble floor. He stopped for it.
"Since you will not bend. break" he said. and left the
chamber, cold with fury.
Kathlyn sank weakly upon her pillows as Pundita ran
to her side.
what shall I do, Pundita p
God knows, Memsahib!"
"Are you a Christiauf'
Yes"
And no they ~conforted each other.
There was a garden in the palace grounds, lovely
indeed. A fountain tinkled and fat carp SWAN about in
the duted marble basin. There were trellises Of flowers,
too; Persian roses, despite the fact that it was still win
ter. 1t was called the Garden Of Brides.
KathIyn, attended by Pundita, awaited there the CON-
ing Of Umballa and the council. Her heart ached with
bitterness and she could not think clearly. The impress
sion that all this was some dreadful nightmac REQUIRED
to her wildly. What terrors awaited her she knew not
nor could conceive. Marry that smiling demon?-fyT
something occult told her that he was a demon. No; she
was ready to die. And but a little while ago she
had been working happily in the outdoor studio; the p,
leopard sprawled at her feet from the bungalow she
heard the nightingale voice of Winnie, soaring in some
aria Of Verdi's; her father was doing on the veranda.
Out of that, into this! 1t was incredible. From time to
time she brushed her forehead, %bewildered.
In this mood, bordering on the hysterical (Which is
sometimes but a step to supreme courage), Durga Ram,
so-called Umballa, and the council found her. The face Of
the former was cold, his eyes steady and expressionless
HAS your majesty decided"" asked the eldest Of the
council.
YES" quietly.
And your decision isl"
"No, absolutely and finally. There is no reason why
should obey any of your laws; but there is a good reason
why all of you shall some day be punished for this
outrage
Outrage! To be made queen of Alfalfa The spokes-
man for the council stamped his foot in wrath.
Think ~ said Umbslla.
al have thought. Let us have no more of this cat
and-mousa play. I refuse to marry 'ou. I'd much pre-
fer any beggar in the street There is nothing more TO
be said"
"There are worse things than marriage"
What manner of i~ndignities have you arranged for
me?' Her voice was firm, but the veins in her throat
beat 10 hardly hat they stided her.
Said the spokesman of the council; 1--WE have found
a precedent. We find that one hundred and ninety years
ago a like case confused the council of that day. They
finally agreed that she must submit to two ordeals with
wild beasts of the jungle. If she survived she was TO De
permitted to rule without hindrance. 1t would be a
matter for the gods to decide"
"Are you really human beings asked Kathlyn, hHr
lips dry. "Can you possibly commit such a dreadful
rhine against one who has never harmed you, who asks
for nothing but the freedom to leave this country
Pundita secretly caught Kathlyn's hand and pressed :
"Once more!' said Umballa, his compassion touch/I
for the first time. But he had gone too far; for the
safety of his own head he must go on. -
81 am ready"
The four men salaamed gravely. They turned, the
flowing yellow robes Of the council huttering in the wind.
the sun lighting with green and red fires the hlt nj