The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-02-07

neSe ana Ch1nasMen AWu n1C"noL EAS OHtRsG SeAa
were everyday affairs. The brown turban, however. and
an enormous emerald on one OF his fingers, produced an
affect quite gratifying to him. Vanity In the oriental In
never conspicuous for it's absence. The reporters gave
him scant attention, though, for this was at a time when
the Gaekwar Of Baroda was unknown.
The stranger, after two or three days of idiug, casually
asked the way to the wild animal farm Of his old friend,
Col. Hare. 1t was easy enough to find. At the village inn
he was treated with tolerant contempt. These brown
fellows were forever coming and going, to and fro, from
the ColoneIS celebrated farm. #
AT 5 o'clock in the afternoon of the 31st day of Deem
Der this East Indian peered cautiously into the French
window Of the Hare bungalow. The picture he saw there
sent a thrill into his heart. She wus as fair and beautiful
as an houri of Sa'adi. She sat at a desk, holding a long,
white envelope in her hand. BY and by she put IL away
and he was particular to note the drawer in which she
placed it. That the dark haired girl at the tea tabaret
was equally charming did not stir the watcher. Dark
haired women were plentiful in his native land. Yonder
was the girl of the photograph, the likeness of which had
fred his heart for many a day. With the patience of the
oriental he stood in the shadow and waited. Sooner or
later they would leave the room, and sooner or later, with
the dizziness OF his breed, he would enter, The leopard
he had heard about was nowhere to be seen.
Winnie said Kathlyn, Il dread it" ~
Winnie set down the teacup, her eyes Drumming.
What can it all mean? Not a line from father SINCE,
Colombo, five months gone" vi
DO you think" ~
"No, mol" replied Kathlyn, hastily. Father somaf
times forgets. He may be hunting miles from telegraph
wires and railroads; it is only that he should forget uS 50
long. Who knows? He may have dropped down info
Borneo. He wanted some pythons, so I heard him say
The elder sister did not care to instill into the heart Of
her charge the fear which was in her own.
WHO knows but there may be good news in the en-
velope? Dads always doing something like that. New
Year's!" 9
The collie, released from the kitchen, came bounding in.
In his exuberance he knocked over a cloisonne vae. Both
girls were glad to welcome this diversion. They rose
simultaneously and gave chase. The dog headed for the
outdoor studio, where they caught him and made believe
they were Furnishing him. 81
Quietly the watcher entered through the window, alert
and tense. He few to the desk, found the envelope,
steamed it open at the kettle, extracted the sealed envelope
and Col. Hares note. He smiled as he read the latter and
changed his plans completely. He would not play mes
senger; he would use a lure instead. With his ear
strained for sounds, he wrote and substituted a note. This
houri oil Sa'adi would not pause to note the difference in
writing; the yitalness of the subject would enchain her
thoughts. It was all accomplished in the space Of a few
minutes. Smiling, he passed out into the fast settling
twilight. )
They were shipping a lion to San Francisco, and the.
roaring and confusion were all very satisfactory to the
trespasser.
Midnight. From afar came the mellow notes OF the
bells in the ancient Spanish mission. The old year was
dead the new year was born, carrying with it the I'M
changing sound of happiness and misery, Of promises
made and promises broken, of good and Of evil.
"The packet !" cried Winnie.
Kathlyn recognized in that call that Winnie was only
a child. All the responsibility lay upon her shoulders.
She ripped the cover from the packet and read the note.
"KathIyn: II not heard from, I'm held captive 10
Alfalfa. Sealed document can save me. Bring it yourself
to Allaha by first steamer. FATHEg."
At knew it" said Kathlyn. calmly. The fear in her
heart had, as the brown man had anticipated, blinded her
to the fact that this was not her fathers characteristic
blunt scruwL
sob, Kit, Xiii"
"Husb, Winnie! I must 90, and 60 alone. Where's
the evening paper?' All, there it is. Let ne see what
boat leaves San Francisco tomorrow. The Impress Of
India, o a. m. I must make that. Now, you're your
fathers daughter, too, Winnie. You must stay behind and
be brave and wait. I shall come back. I shall find sathsr,
if I have to rouse all India. Now, to pack"
When they arrived at the station the passenger train
had just drawn out. For a while Kathlyn felt beaten.
She would he compelled to wait another wssk. Il was
disheartening. -..hG@
why not Try the freight, then?" crisd Winnie.
You little angel! I never thought Of thatl" ~,
But the crew would not hear of it. It was absolutely
against the company's rules. Kathlyn could have cried.
1T isn't money, miss; it's the rules" said the con
ductor, kindly. al can't do it."
Kathlyn turned in despair toward the station. It waa
then she saw the boxed lion on the platform. She re-
turned to the conductor OF the freight.
why isn't that lion ~shipped?" sa
1--WE can't carry a lion without an attendant, Miss.
You ought to know that"
"Very well" replied Kathlyn. She smiled at the cen
ductor confidently. "I1l travel as the liou's attendant.
You certainly cannot object to that" a
"I guess you've got me-" admitted the conductor. " But
where the dickens win we put the eat2 Every car 10
closed and locked, and there ia not an empty
"You can easily get the lion in the csboase. I'll see
that he doesn't bother any one.".
LIONS in the cabooss is a new one on, me. Well You
know your dads business better than I do Look alive.
boys, and get that angora aboard. This la Miss Hare her
self, and she'll take charge.
Kit, Kit" :%a
"Winniet" t
oh, I'll be brave. I've Just sot to be. But i've never
been left alone before s
The two girls embraced. and Winnie went sobbipg back
to the maid, who waited ON the platform. s8
What happened in that particular caboose has 3long
-t-AI - $780, FH- AHEsAE@