Evening star., 1914-04-19

engaged was of Arab blood. In four
days he expected to reach the camp
If Winnie had not yet arrived. he
would take the road. meet her. warn
her of the dangers which she'was about
to face and convey her to the seaport
II It was too late, he would send the
camel back with a trusted messenger
to the colonel. to advise him.
They watched him depart in a cloud
of dust, and then played the most en-
ervating game in existence-that Of
waiting. for they had decided to wait
till they heard from Ahmed before
they moved.
Four nights later when Ahmed ar
rived at the bungalow. he found con-
Litions as usual For reasons best
known to himself Umballah had not
disturbed anything. In fact he had
always had the coming of the younger
sister in mind and left the bungalow
her.
She had not yet arrived. So Ahmed
flung himself down upon his cotton
rug, telling the keepers not to dis
turb him; he would be able to wake
himself when the time came. But All
med had overrated his powers. he was
getting along in years. and it was noon
of the next day when a hand shook him
by the shoulder and he awoke to wit
ness the arrival of Winnie and her
woman companion.
For the first time in many years All
med cursed his prophet. He that had
like the sloth Of Ceylon!
He went directly to the point. He
told her briefly what had happened. He
had not the least doubt that Umballah
was already aware Of her arrival She
must remain hidden in the go-down
of the bungalow: her maid also. That
night, If Umballah or his men failed to
appear, he would lead her on to safety
But there was no hope of stealing away
in the daytime. In his heart, how
ever he entertained no hope: and like
the good general he was. he dispatched
the messenger and camel to the sea-
The father and daughter were fated TO
return.
4
Ahmed had reckoned shrewdly. Um-
ballah appeared later in the day and
demanded the daughter of Col. Hare.
Backed as he was by numerous sol
diers, Ahmed resigned himself to the
inevitable. They found Winnie and
her maid (whom later they sent to
, the frontier and abandoned) and took
them to the palace.
There was no weeping or wailing or
J. struggling. The dark, proud face of
the young girl gave forth no sign of
the terror and utter loneliness of her
position. And Umballah realized that
it was in the blood Of these children to
be brave and quiet. There was no
mercy in his heart He was power
mad and gold mad. and his enemies
lived because he could reach neither
of his desires over their dead bodies.
The rigamarole and mummery Win
} ME went through affected her exactly
as it had affected her sister. 1t was
all a hideous nightmare. and at any
moment she expected to wake up in
her coy corner at Glendale.
In the bazaars they. began to laugh
at Umballah and his coronations. or
durbars They began to jest at his
futile efforts to crown some one
through whom he could put his greedy
hand into the treasury. Still. they
found plenty of amusement and excite
ment- And so they filled the square
in front of the platform when Umballah
put the crown on Winnie's head. How
) long would this queen last?
And kathlyn. her father and Bruce
| were forced to witness the event from
behind the Gordon of guards. dressed
IN native costume. their faces stained
and their hearts swelling with Inn
potent anger and despair. For il WAS
in such suise they had returned to Al
laha
During a luil in the ceremonies a
resonant voice from out the dense throug
cried, Give Us queen of our blood and
race. thou black, gutter born dog"
Ramabai started a the sound of that
voice, but caught himself before he
looked in the direction whence it rose.
1t belonged to one La Singh