Meade County news., 1914-12-31
CHAPTER TX.
The Colonel In Chains.

The Colonel In Chains.
The colonel and Umballa swayed
back and forth. Umballa sank to
his knees and then fought madly to
rise; but the hands at his throat were
the hands Of a madman, steel, resist
less. The colonels chains clanked
sharply. Lower and lower went Um-
balla's head; he saw death peering
Into the cell. His cry ratified in his
throat.
Not a sound from Kathlyn. She
watched the battle, unfeeling as mar
BILE. Let the wretch die; let him feel
the fear of death; let him suffer as
he had made others suffer. What
new complications might follow Um-
ballaIs death did not alarm her. How
could she be any worse off than she
was? He had polluted her cheeks
with his kisses. He had tortured and
Bhamed her as few white women have
been. Mercy? He had said that day
that he knew not the word
"Ah, you dog Haven't l prayed
God for. days for this chance? You
black cahal Diei"
But Umballa was not to die that
moment or in that fashion.
That nervous energy which had in
fused the colonel with the strength
of a lion went out like a spark, and
as quickly. Umballa rolled from his
paralyzed fingers and lay on the floor,
gasping and sobbing Hare fell back
against the pillar, groaning. The ces-
sation of dynamic nerve force filed
him with racklng pains and pitt
able weakness. But for the pillar he
would have hung by his chains.
Kathlyn, with continued apathy,
stared down at her enemy. He was
not dead. He would kill them both
now. Why, she asked with sudden
passion, why this misery? What had
she done in her young life to merit
st? Underfed, dressed in grass,
harassed by men and wild beasts
why?
Umballa edged out of danger and
nat up, feeling tenderly Of his throat
Next he picked up his turban and
crawled to the open door. He pulled
himself up and stood there, weakly.
But there was venom enough in his
eyes. The tableau lasted minute or
two: then slowly he closed the door.
bolted it, and departed
This ominous silence awoke the old
terror in Kathlyn's heart far more
than verbal threats would have done.
There would be reprisal, something
finished in cruelty.
my dear. my dear!" She ran over
TO her father and flung her arms
about him, supporting him and moth
ering him. An hour passed.
"All in, Kit; all in; haven't the
strength Of cat. All, great God! II
that strength had but lasted mo-
ment longer! Well, he's still alive.
But, o, my Kit, my golden Kit, to see
you here is to be tortured like the
damned And 1t is all my fault, all
mine!" The man who had once been
so strong sobbed Historically.
Hush, hushl"
There were rare and wonderful
Jewels of which alone knew the hi
ding place. But God knows that It was
not greed; wanted them for you and
Winnie. I'knew you were here. Trust
that black devil to announce the fact
10 me ~. God what haven't
suffered in the way of suspense! Kit
Kit, what has he done to your"
Briefly she recounted her adven'
lures, and when she had done he
bowed his head upon her bare shoul
der and wept as only strong men
made weak, weep.
TO Kathlyn 1t was terrible. Father
doz't, don't! You hurt me! cant
stand I'll"
After a while he said: What
shall we do, Kit; what shall we do?'
'I will marry him, father" she. an
gwered quietly 1--WE can take our re
renge afterward.2''
What
'1fyit will save you"
-Child. let me rot here. What
Would you trust him, knowing hil
false heart as you do? The momen
sOu married him would be my deatl
warrant No, no! II you weaken nov
J shall curse you. curse you, my Kit
There has been horror enough car
de"
well, and SO can ], father"
Silence Afar cockatoo shrilled
: laugh came family through the win
~. and later the tinkle Of music