The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1914-09-11
CHAPTER ~.
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OF his race were chattels, lazy and In
ert, without fire, merely drudges or
playthings. Here was one worth con-
Quering. white flame to be controlled.
To bend her without breaking her.
that must be his method Of procedure.
The skin under her chin was as white
as the heart OF a mangosteen, and the
longing TO sweep her into his arms was
almost irresistible.
A high priest spoke TO Kathlyn.
What does he say?" she asked.
That you must marry me-"
Tell him refuse!"
Umballa shrugged and repeated her
words. Here the Council OF Three in
terposed, warning Kathlyn that she
must submit to the law as 1t read.
There was no appeal from 1t.
Then ! shall appeal to the British
raj"
How" asked Umballa, urbanely.
Swiftly she stepped to the front OF
the platform and extended her arms.
It was an appeal She pointed TO Um-
balla and shook her head. Her arms
went out again. A low murmur rippled
over the pressing crowd; It grew in
volume; and a frown Of doubt fitted
over Umballas brow, The soldiers
we're swaying restlessly. Kathlyn saw
this sign and was quick to seize upon
its possibilities. She renewed her ges-
ture toward them. It seemed that
she must burst forth in their mad
dening tongue: Il appeal to the
chivalry OF Allaha! Soldiers,
you now wear my uniform! Liberate
mel" But her tongue was mute; yet
her eyes. her face, her arms spoke
eloquently enough to the turbulent sol
diers. Besides, they welcomed the op-
portunity to show the populace how
strong they we're and how little they
feared Umballa. At a nod from their
leader they came romping up the steps
to the dais and surrounded Kathlyn.
A roar came from the populace; an
elephant trumpeted; the pariah dogs
barked.
Umballa stepped back, his hand on
his jeweled sword. He was quite un-
prepared for any such fragrant mutiny
--mutiny from his angle Of vision,
though in law the troopers had only
responded to the desire of their queen.
He turned questioningly to the Council
and the priests. He himself could
move no further. His confreres appre-
ciated the danger in which their power
stood. They announced that it was
decreed to give the queen a respite OF
seven days in which to yield. Il
would at least hold the bold troopers
on the leash till they could be brought
to see the affair in its true light by the
way of largess in rupees. Umballa
consented because he was at the bot
tom Of the sack A priest read from
scroll the law, explaining that no
woman might rule unmarried. Because
the young queen was not conversant
with the laws OF the state she would
be given seven days. Thus the dur.
bar ended.
With a diplomacy which would have
graced a better man Umballa directed
the troopers to escort Kathlyn to her
chamber in the zenana. He had in
mind seven days. Many things could
be accomplished in that space of time
For the present" he said, smiling
at Kathlyn, the God Of your fathers
has proven strongest. But tomorrow
All, tomorrow! There will be
seven days Think then, deeply and
wisely. Your khitmatgar Rao is a
prisoner. 1t will be weeks ere your
presence is known here. You are
helpless as a bird in the net. Struggle
if you WILL you will only bruise your
wings. The British raj? The British
raj does not want a great border war,
and l can bring down ten thousand
wild hill men outlaws between whom
and the British raj there is blood
feud; ten thousand from land where
there is never peace, only truce. In
seven days. Salaam, heaven born!"
She returned his ironical gaze calm
ly over the shoulder of a trooper.
Wait" she said. Il wish you to
the enormity of your
crime"
"Crime?" with elevated eyebrows.
Yes. You have abducted me-"
NO. You came of your own free
will"
The white men Of my race will not
pause to argue over any such subtlety.
Marry you? l do not like your color"
A dull red settled under Umballa's
skin.
Il merely wish to warn you" she
went on, that my blood will be upon
your head. And woe to you If 1t is. |
There are white men who will not
await the coming of the British raj"
"Ah, yes; some brave, hardy Ameri-
can; Bruce Sahib, for instance. Alas.
he is In the straits settlements! Seven
lays"
81 am not afraid to die"
But there are many kinds of DEATH"
and with this sinister reflection he
stepped aside.
The multitude, seeing Kathlyn com
ng down from the dais, still surround
ID by her Gordon Of troopers. began
to disperse. Bread and
he circus!"-the mobs viii cry it
lown the ages; they will always pause
o witness bloodshed, from safe dis
ance, you may be sure. There was a
leal of rioting In the baEaars that
light, and many measure OF bhang
md toddy kept the Ares burning. ORR
'ntal politics is 1ks the winds Of the
'Quinox: 1t blows from ali directions.
The natives we're taxed upon every
conceivable subject, not dissimilar to
he old days in Urdu, where a maR
,aid so much for the privilege Of