The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-08-24

The cursing and railing against
late is a futile thing. never bearing
iruit: SO Ramabai suggested his house
I'LL transportation could be secured.
They perfectly understood that they
could not remain in the house more
than few hours, for Umballa
would surely send his men every
where. and quite possibly first Of all
20 Ramabai's.
Still Ramabai did not appear very
much alarmed. There were secret
,tairways in his house that not even
Pundlta knew. and at pinch he had
plan by which he could turn away
Investigation. Only in the direst
need. though, did he intend to execute
the plan. He wanted his friends out
Of Alfalfa without the shedding OF any
blood.
Well, said Ahmed, angrlly cast
,ng aside his disguise, well, Ramabai.
his is the crisis. VIII you striker
Lal Slngh's wrinkled face lightcned
lp with eagerness.
"We are ready. Ramabai," he sail.
.We?" Ramabai paused in his
pacing TO gaze keenly into tho eyes
II the old conspirator.
"Ycs. we. For |. Lal Singh. propose
% take my stand at your right hand.
have not been idle. Everywhere
!our friends are evincing impatience.
Ah, l know. You wish for a blood.
css rebellion; but that cannot be, not
,mong our people. You have said that
n their zeal your followers, IL they
NEW. would sweep the poor old king
nut of your path. Listen. Shall We
out him back on the throne, to per-
'orm some other mad thing like this
gift of his throne to the Colonel Sa-
db?"
Ramabai, watched intently by the
:wo conspirators for the British raj
md his white friends, paced back and
'orth, his hands behind his back, his
read bent. He was a Christian. he
was not only Christian, no was a
Hindu, and the shedding of blood was
LOUDLY abhorrcnt to his mind.
II am being pulled by two horses"
ie said.
Act quickly" advised Ahmed; "one
way or the other. umballa will throw
his men round the whole city and
here will not be space largo enough
or a rat to crawl through And no
will fight like a rat this time; mark
no."
Ramabai paused suddenly in front
If his wife and smiled down ut her.
"Pundita. you arc my legal queen.
It is for you to say what shall be
lone. ! had In mind republic"
Lal Singh cackled ironically.
DO not dream, said Ahmed. Com
non sense should tell you that there
:an be no republic in Alfalfa There
must be an absolute ruler. nothing
ess. Your majesty, speak" no added,
'alaaming before Pundita.
she looked wildly about the room,
Sainly striving to read the faces of her
white friends; but their expressions
Scre Ike stone images. No help there.
10 guidance.
is the life OF decrepit old man"
lsked Lal Singh, worth the lives OF
he white people who love and respect
'ou?'
Pundita rose and placed her hands
ipon her husbands shoulders.
I'VE owe them our lives. Strike,
aamabai; but only IL our need de-
nands It"
Good said Lal Singh. I'm OF
;or tho bazaars for the night. will
,uy chupatties and pass them about,
IS they did in my fathers time at
Delhi in the great mutiuy."
And he vanished.
Have you ever witnessed the
swarming OF bees? Have you ever
heard the hum and buzz OF them?
so looked and sounded the bazaars
hat night. At every intersection Of
streets and passages there were
groups, buzzing and gestlculating. In
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