The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1914-11-06

rapidy as Bruce drew his elephant Il
a halt before the gate OF the white
walled city The guard ran out bar
ring the way,
Il am Ramabai. a friend OF Balls
Khan. / am come 10 pay him Ylhit
Direct me TO his house or his palace
The authority In Ramabai's voice
was sufficient for the guard, who gave
the necessary directions. The party
continued on into town
Presently they came upon a group ID
the center Of which we're the dancers
at their vocation. They ceased theii
mad whlrllngs at the sight OF the two
elephants. There were nine OF these
men, fierce OF eye and built muscular
". No effeminate Hindus here, mused
Bruce, who did not like the looks Of
them at all.
On through the narrow streets
sometimes the sides OF the elephants
scraping against the mud and plaster
Of the buildings. and one could easily
look into the second stories. NO one
seemed hostile; only natural curios-
ity was evinced By those standing In
doorways or leaning out Of windows
The house OF Bala Khan was not eS
actly a palace. but 1t was Of respecta'
BILE size. A high wall surrounded the
compound. There was gateway
open at this moment A servant ran
out and loudly demanded what was
wanted
Say to your master, Bala Khan
that Ramabai, son Of Maaho Singh
his old friend awaits with friendly
greetings"
Kit" whispered Kathlyn's father
this chap Ramabai wouldn't make a
bad king. And look excitedly
There's the sacred elephant, and II
he isn't white I'll eat my hat!
The servant ran back into the com
pound and spoke to digniiied man
who proved to be a high caste Bran
min, having in his charge the care ol
the white elephant He disappeared
and returned soon with the khan, The
pleasant face. though proudly nodded
together with the simplicity OF his ap
pearance. conveyed to Kathlyn the
| fact that here was o man TO be trusted
at least for the present. He greeted
Ramabai cordially. struck his hands
and ordered out the servants to take
charge Of what luggage there was anC
10 lead away the elephants TO be Zee
and watered.
Courteously he asked Kathlyn how
she had become injured, and Ramaba
acted as interpreter. He then ushereC
them into his house, spread rugs anC
cushions for them to sit upon. anC
mildly inquired what had brought The
son of his old friend so far.
colonel Hare spoke several dialects
fuently. and briefly told Cbetween sips
of tea and bites of cake which hat
been set out for the guests his eXperi
ences in Allaha.
THE rulers Of Allaha," observed
Bala Khan, have always been hal
mad"
Ramabai nodded in agreement
You should never have gone back,
went on Bala Khan. lighting cigarette
and cycling Kathlyn with wonder ant
interest "Ah. that Durga Ram whom
they call Umballa! have heard o
him. but fortunately for him our paths
have not crossed in any way. H'
blew a cloud of smoke above his head
well. he has shown wisdom in avoid
ing me. In front of me, desert; be
hind me, verdant hills and many sheer
and cattle. we'll guarded. ] am too IA
away for them to bother Sometime
the desert thieves cause a furry, bu
that is nothing. It keeps the tulwa
from growing rusty" patting the grea
knife at his side.
Bala Khan was muscular; his leal
hands denoted work; his clear eyes
the sun and wind. He was in heigh
and build something after the patterl
OF the colonel.
And to force a crown on mel sail
the colonel.
You could have given it to this Um
balla," wisely
That | would not do
In each case you showed fore
thought. The Durga Ram. when he hat
you where he wanted you Bal
Khan drew a finger suggestivel!
across his throat
(TO BE CONTINUED)
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