The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1914-09-25


acrld smoke. quickenod HIS stride The
lre followed with amazing rapidity
and stopped only when II reached the
bed Of a trickling stream. no doubt a
torrent during the big rains. a great
pail Of smoke blotted out everything In
the rear; blotted out hope, for Bruce
never could pick up the trail now.
Kathlyn's eyes were feyerishly dry
ard bright II was only a matter OF
time when the howdah would slip
down the brute's side. She prayed that
she might die instantly. Strange
fanoles fitted through her mind, dis
ordered by all these days Of suspense
and terror,
And suddenly the Jungle came 10 an
end, and a long plowed field opened
into view Beyond this field rose a
ruined wall, broken by crumbling
gate, and lounging in the gateway
were soldiers Near by were two ele'
plants employed in piling logs.
Rajah, perforce, slackened his gait
The soldiers became animated lmne'
dlately the two mahouts charged their
brutes toward Rajah, who stopped.
He had had his sport. He swayed to
and fro. One OF the mahouts reached
forward and clouted Raiah on the
knee He slowly kneeled. The sol
diers ran forward to help Kathlyn out
of the howdah At the sight of her
skin their establishment was great
She was very weak and faint, and
the increasing babel Of tongues was
like little triphammeTs beating upon
her aching head. One of the soldiers
gave her a drink of water. He held
his canteen high, so that the water
trickled into her mouth; no lips but
his own must touch the nozzle, other
wise, being a Brahmin, he would be
defiled Natives instantly flocked
about, iabbering in wonder. Some Of
the bolder touched her bare arms
The soldiers drove them back angrily
Through the press a horseman pushed
forward. The rider stared at the
strange captive, started, and uttered
an astonished cry.
"The white queen of Alfalfa, whom
mine own eyes saw crowned at the
Durbar there" he murmured. by the
shroud of the prophet, what can this
mean? Stop" he called TO the sol
diers Kathlyn looked up duly
Convey her to his highness the ku-
mort" The prince should decide what
should be done with her
The kumor was big and lazy and
sensual. He gazed upon Kathlyn with
eyes which sparkled eyilly, like a cats.
Who is this woman?" he demanded.
"IIighness, she is the white queen
of Alfalfa, but who may say that she is
here?' with a smile as evil as his
masters
But how came she here?"
The horseman briefly recounted the
events as he had seen them in the cap,
ital of Allaha.
"Who are you, maiden?" the kumor
asked in English, for, like all poten-
tates, little or great, in India he
spoke English. it presented the de-
lectable pastime of conspiring in two
languages; for from Bombay to Cal
cutta, from Peshawar to Madras, India
conspires, and takes an occa-
sional pot shot at some poor devil of
a commissioner whose only desire is to
have them combine religion and sani.
tation.
81 am an American. Please take me
to the English commissioner" Some
how instinct told her that she might
not expect succor from this man With
the pearls about his gross neck.
81 regret that his excellency the
has gone to Bombay.
Besides, | do not know that you tell
the truth. Still, l can offer you what
pearls and emeralds you may find to
your liking"
Your highness, there are those
whose coming shortly will cause you
much annoyance if you refuse to give
me proper aid There is no possible
way for you to cover up my appear
ance here. Send me to the commits
sioner's bungalow, where l may await
the coming of my friends"
Indeed" The kumor saw here a
conflict not altogether to his liking
He was lazy, and there was the damn
able, unrelenting hand of the British
raj looming in the distance. He
shrugged. "Achmet, call the captain
Of the guard and have him convey this
queen to Allaha. Surely,
may not meddle with the affairs OF
state" With a wave of his
fat, bejeweled hand he appeared to dis
miss the matter from his mind.
Kathlyn was led away. The human |
mind nnn stand nnlu 60 rnanu shnnka