The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1914-09-18

rapidly as Bruce drew his elephant to
a bait before the gate OF the white
walled city. The guard ran out, bar
ring the way.
Il am Ramabai, a friend OF Bala
Khan. | am come to pay him a visit.
Direct me TO his house or his palace,
The authority in Ramabai's voice
was sufficient for the guard. who gave
the necessary directions, The party
continued on into town.
Presently they came upon a group In
the center of which were the dancers
at their vocation. They ceased their
mad WRITINGS at the sight Of the two
elephants. There were nine OF these
men, fierce of eye and built muscular
ly. No effeminate Hindus here, unused
Bruce, who did not like the looks OF
them at all.
On through the narrow streets.
sometimes the sides Of tho. elephants
scraping against the mud and plaster
of the buildings, and n could easily
look into the second stories. No IL
seemed hostile; only a natural curtos-
tty was evinced by those standing In
doorways or leaning out of windows
The house Of Bala Khan was not ex-
actly a palace, but 1t was of respecta'
Bile size. A high wall surrounded the
compound. There was a gateway,
open at this moment, A servant a
out and loudly demanded what was
wanted.
Say to your master. Bala Khan.
that Ramabai, son of Maaho Singh,
his old friend, awaits with friendly
greetings"
Kit" whispered Kathlyn's father,
this chap Ramabai wouldn't make a
bad king. And lookl" excitedly.
There's the sacred elephant. and II
he isn't white I'll eat my hat
The servant a back into the com.
pound and spoke to a digniied man.
who proved to be a high caste Brah-
min, having in his charge the care OF
the white elephant. He disappeared
and returned soon with the khan. The
pleasant face, though proudly nodded.
together with the simplicity Of his ap.
~pearance, conveyed to Kathlyn the
fact that here was a man to be trusted,
at least for the present. He greeted
Ramabai cordially. struck his hands
and ordered out the servants to take
charge of what luggage there was and
to lead away the elephants to be fed
and watered.
C~ourteously he asked kathlyn how
she had become injured, and Ramabai
acted as Interpreter. He then ushered
| them into his house, spread rugs n
| cushions for them to sit upon, and
mildly inquired what had brought the
son of his old friend 30 far.
Colonel Hare spoke several dialects
iuently. and briefly told (between sips
of tea and bites of cake which had
been set out for the guests) his expert
ences in Alfalfa.
"The rulers of Allaha." observed
Bala Khan, have always been half
mad"
Ramabai nodded In agreement.
You should never have gone back
went on Bala Khan. lighting a cigarette
and cycling Kathlyn with wonder and
interest. "Ah, that Durga Ram whom
they call Umballa! have heard OF
him. but fortunately for him our paths
have not crossed in any way" He
blew a cloud Of smoke above his head
well. he has shown wisdom In avoid
ing me. In front OF me. a desert; be'
hind me, verdant hills and many sheep
and cattle. well guarded. ] am too lar
away for them to bother. Sometimes
the desert thieves cause a furry, but
that is nothing. 1t keeps the tulwar
from growing rusty" patting the great
knife at his side.
Bala Khan was muscular; his lean
hands denoted work; his clear eyes
the sun and wind. He was In height
and build something after the pattern
OF the colonel.
And to force a crown on mel" said
the colonel.
you could have given 1t to this Um
balla." wisely.
"That | would not do"
IN each case you showed fore
thought. The Durga Ram, when he had
YOU where he wanted you Bala