The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-06-26

how she had seen him with her own eyes become one Of
the fake bearers of the palanquin.
The woman lies because 1 spurned her! " roared
Umballah.
Away with her !" cried the chief rriest, inwardly
cursing Umballah for having permitted this woman to
i've when she knew so much. Away with her!"
The law!" the woman walled. "The sanctity of the
temple is mine!"
Hold" said Kathlyn, standing up. In her hating
Hlndustani she spoke: II have something to say to you
all. This woman tells the truth. Let her 60 unafraid.
You, grave priests, have thrown your lot with Umballah.
Listen Have you not learned by this time that 1 am
not a weak woman but a strong one? You have harried
me and injured me and wronged me and set tortures for
me, but here I stand, unframed. This day 1 will have
my revenge. My servant Ahmed has departed Tor the
walled city of Balakhan. He will return with Bala-
khan and an army such as will fatten the city Of Alfalfa
to the ground, and crows and vultures and tigers and
Jackals shall make these temples their abiding places, and
men will forget Alfalfa as they now forget the mighty
Chitor.' She swung round toward the priests. "You
have yourselves to thank. At a word from me, Bala-
khan enters or stops at the outer walls. 1 have tried to
escape you by what means 1 had at my command. Now
it shall be war! War. famine, plagued"
Her young voice rang out sharp and clear, sending
terror to all cowardly hearts, not least among these being
those beating in the brea is of the priests.
"Now," speaking to the soldiers, go Iberate my
father, my sister, and my husband-to-be; and woe to any
who disobey me! For while I stand here I shall be a
queen indeed! Peace; or war, famine, and the plague.
Summon the executioner. Arrest Durga Ram. Strip
him before my eyes of his every insignia of rank. He ia
a murderer. He hall go to the treadmil, there to slave
till death: 1 have said it,"
Far in the rear OF the cowed assemblage, near the
doors, stood Ahmed, in his old guise of bhistiS or water
carrier. When he heard that beloved voice he felt the
blood rush into his throat. Aye, they were right. Who
but a goddess would have had at such a time an inspira-
ton so grCat2 But it gave him an idea, and he slipped
away to complete it. Balakhan should come in fact.
So he did not see Umballah upon his knees, whining
for mercy, making futile promises, begging for liberty.
The soldiers spat contemptuously as they seized him and
dragged him off.
The priests conferred hastily. Balakhan was a fierce
Mohammedan, a ruthless soldier; his followers were
without fear. The men of Alfalfa might put up a good
defense, but in the end they would be wheImed; and
the gods of Hind would be cast out to make way for the
prophet of Allah. This young woman with the white
skin had for the nonce beaten them. Durga Ram had
played the fool: between the two women, he had fallen.
They had given him power, and he had let it slip through
his fingers for the sake Of reprisal where it was not
needed. Let him go, then, to the treadmiIl; they were
through with him. He had played his game like a tyro.
They must placate this young woman who the people
believed was their queen, but who they knew was the
~plaything of politics and expediencies.
The chief or high priest salaamed, and Kathlyn eyed
him calmly, though her knees threatened to refuse sun
port.
Majesty, we bow to your win. Alfalfa cannot hope 10
cope with Balakhan's fierce hilmen. All we ask lis that
you abide with us till you have legally selected your sue
cessor.n
Who shall be Pundita,' said Kathlyn resolutely.