The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-01-06
CHAPTER V.
T>uo peopIe Interfere.

Ii happened shortly afterward that
the professors prophecy was fulfilled
and the grim specter OF famine
sstalked the parched and barren val
; leys OF the Deccan. In KORUNA. as
elsewhere, the European inhabitants
watched the enemy's progress with
an active alarm which was counter
balanced by the fatalistic resignation
o. the inevitable sufferers. The ma
tlves prayed to their gods for mon
soon which never came. and the Eng
lish officials prepared themselves for
the conseuuences--hard and unremit-
ting labor. with the curses of the
population as thank-oifering. Even
Kolruna's native regiment shared In
the general activity. Large stores OF
rice had been Struggled secretly into
town. and lay under Colonel Chlches-
ter's protection. in anticipation OF the
day when relief should be doled out
4 to the famine-stricken. Colonel Chi
chester had himself advised the meas
ure. He knew something OF Indian
famines. aud moreover there were rn-
mors that the gods declared that the
( presence or the cow-killing, wine
drinking foreigner was the cause OF
< the monsoon's non-appearance. After
that" as the brisk little soldier eX-
pressed 1t, you might expect the band
to play at any minute"
There was probably only one per.
son In Koruna or. for that matter
In India, TO whom the famine came In
the guise OF a god-send-namely.s Mrs
Chichester. That little woman. though
she had long since exhausted the EN-
ergies OF her friends IN countless
fOredoomed enterprises. was herself
inexhaustible, and she viewed the
prospective trouble with the delight
OF an incorrigible philanthropist
Within twenty-four hours OF the an
nOuncement that the enemy was ir
the land she had formed It committee
had appointed herself president and
% q sop to Cerebus, presented Mr.
Eliot with the post OF secretary
within forty-eight hours KORUNA wa,
faced with the fact that her "frs
lady" was on the eve or giving com
bfned subscription bali and bazaal
which everybody had 10 attend-witl
che option OF social ostracism
Kolruna groaned, but Mrs Chiches
49, explained her project with an en-
mniasm worthy OF the cause--if no
the means. The subscriptions wer
- TO the relief fund, and the ide
the bazaar was that the ladie
hnld present articles for sale sell
knufactured. stolen or bought. Mrs
1chester. in the name Of charity
~ not particular-and that thei
nbands, or brothers. as the cas-
kht be, should buy them back a
Inc prices. The ladies were d,
@Hhted. the masculine part OF tn
radiation resigned. and Mrs. On
oeter hustled along her path {
k<1umph. She chose Mrs. Hurst's bur
low as the scene OF her operations
lffa. Hurst protested. but Mrs. On
" *esfer. who only heard what sh
4 &nnted II hear. arrived shortly afte
S0hrxl with her committee. consistin
* her daughter. Diana. two elderl
X adies. Mrs Elliot and the judge, an
{rnn so determined and cheerful an
&Q&GQ1e that her unwilling hostess M
|j63lv had to surrender. but was he
~ hustled into the select circle a
{ooeurer. The Judge witnessed TN
FINISHED spectacle with sham
Hol delight.
<lss1 was frightened out OF my III
IS VA heard we had to come here
whispered. under cover OF the ge
oonfurion. II know how you hat
~. and did my best. brt nothin
ntop her--rot even yoIL"
~ though I were sort OF in
49, Mrs. Hurst laughed. "A