The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-02-14

"Let us be frank with each other" said Umbslla, smil-
ing to cover the fire in his eyes.
"That is what we DESIRE replied the captain, with a
knowing look at his silent troopers.
"I must buy you"
The captain salaamed,
But after I have bought you? ironically.
Heaven born, our blood is yours to spill where and
when you will"
From under the teak table Umballa drew forth two
heavy bags Of silver coin. These he emptied upon the
table dramatically; white, shining metal, sparkling as the
candle flames wavered. Vubslla arranged the coin in
stacks, one Of them triple in size.
"Yours, captain" said Umballa, indicating the large
stack.
The captain pocketed it, and one by one his troopers
passed and helped themselves and fell back along the wall
in military alignment, bright eyed and watchful.
Thanks, heaven born"
The captain and his troopers filed out. Unballa fin
gered the empty bags, his brow wrinkled. Gu: of a
cobra's head and it could only wriggle till sunset. Umballa
gave the vanishing captain two weeks. Then he should
vanish indeed.
The next morning while the council and Umballa were
in session relative as to what should be done with Kathlyn
in the event of her refusal to bend, two soldiers entered,
bringing with them a beautiful native young woman, one
Pundita, wife of Ramabai, found in murder.
Umballa wiped his betel stained lips and salaamed mock
ingly. Not SO long ago he had been attentive to this
young woman-after her marriage. She had sent him
about his business with burning ears and a hot cheek,
made so by the contact Of her strong -oung hand. Re-
venge, great or small, was always sweet to umballa.
To the slave girl who attended Pundita he said: Go
summon the queen. 1t is for her to decide what shall DO
done with this woman
Through the veil Pundita's black eyes sparklsd with
hatred. A" -.
When Kathlyn came in it was at once explained to her
that the woman's husband had been taken for murder:
by law his wife became the queens property, to dispose
Of as she willed. The veil was plucked from Pundita's
face. She was ordered to salaam in submission to her
queen. Pundita salaamed, but stouhy refused to knesl.
They proceeded to force her roughly, when Kathlyn
interviewed. "f. ri .-
"Tel her she is free" said Kathlyu.
"Freer p came from the amazed Pundita's lips.
. "You speak English r. cried Kathlyn ~excitedy.
Eyes, majesty"
.. Kathlyn could have embraced her for the very joy of the
knowledge. A woman who could talk English, who could
understand, who perhaps could help! Yes, yes; the God
Of her fathers was good. NJ E#+ + '...#
Umballa smiled. ALI this was c~actly what he had
reason to expect. Seven days of authority; IL would
amuse him to watch her. E :.a
"Tell me your story" urged Kathlya kindly. "Bs not
afraid Of these men. 7 shall make you my lady in wait
ing . SO long as | am a queen with a searching
glance at Umballa's face. She learned nothing from the
half smile there. 49,.
Pundita's narrative was rather long but not ~uninterest-
ing. She had learned English from the old white priest
who had died during the last plague. She was OF high
caste and far, back in the days of the Great Mogul in
Delhi her forebears had ruled here; but strife and rebel.
lion had driven them forth. In order that her Immediate
forebears might return to their native state ana dwell in
! peace they had waived all possible rights OF accession
They had found her husband standing over a dead man in
the bazaars. He was innocent.
UmbalIa snoothed his chin. Pundita had not told hei
queen how he, Umballa, had, made the accusation, after
8 having been refused money by Ranabai. He secretly
B. admired the diplomacy Of the young woman. She dix
{ not at this moment care to push his ennity too far. Al
a matter OF fact, he no longer cared about her: at least
V not since his arrival at the Hare wild animal farm !.
California