The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-08-27
CHAPTER XXI.
AIIaha's Real King Killed.
r

Allaha's Real King Killed.
In the rear Of the temple Umballa
sought was small chamber which
was used by the priests when they de.
sired to rest or converse privately,
which was often. The burning temple
lamps of brass emphasized the dark.
ness of the room rather than dis.
PEELED 1t. a shadow occasionally flick.
cred through the amber haze-an ex.
ploring bat. A dozen OF more priests
stood in one Of the dim corners, from
which their own especial idol winked
at. them with eyes like Goals blown
upon. The Krishna of the Ruby eyes,
an idol known far and wide but seen
by .fcw.e i'i7Lbmlrs ~ I'd
sFIn the temple itself there was d
hahdfdl Of tardy '%orshipers. The
heat Of the candles, the smell of the
eteEnal lotus flower and smoking in;
oceuse; sticks made even the huge vault
stiflingH Many Of the idols were DE.
icweled or patched with beaten gold
leaf, andOmahy had been coveted BY
wandering f%liteoimen,s who. when
their endeayor became known, dis.
appeared mysteriously and were never
more known in the haunts OF men.
A man In tatters appeared suddenly
in the great arched doorway. His tur.
ban came down almost to his eyes
and q ncckcloth covered his mouth.
All that could be seen of him In the
matter of countenance was pair Of
brilliant eyes and predatory nose. He
threw quick, piercing glance about,
assured himself that such devotecs as
ho saw were harmless, then strobe
boldly II hurrledly toward the rear
chamber, which he entered without
ado. Instantly the indignant priests
rushed toward him to expcl him and
give him q tongue-lnshing for shis I'm.
pudence, when aIhsndnwas thrust out,
and they teheldnuPun a finger a great,
green stone! They stopped as sud.
denly as though they lad met an I'm
visible electric c1frent.
!. The curtain fell behind the man III
tatters, and he remained motionless
for space. Allow murmuring among
the priests ensued, and presently one
| OF their number = the youngest -
passed out and stationed himself be.
fore the curtain. Not even a privileged
dancing girl might enter now. y
Tho man In tatters stepped forward
He became the center Of the group;
his gestures wero quick, tense. au.
thoritatiye. At length priest turned to
priest, and tho wrlnkled faces became
more wrinkled still: smiles.
.'IIighness," said the eldest, I'VE
had thought Of this, but you did not
make us your confidant."
It'll an hour como It had not &C.
CURED to me. Shall Ramabai, then,
become your master. to set forth tho
propaganda Of, the infdel?"' i9
Mo- The word was not spoken
loudly, but slbilantly. with something
resembling a hiss. MOI 80
''And shall o king who has no mind,
no viii, no strength, resume his 5au.
thority? Perhaps to bring more white
people into Alfalfa, perhaps to give AL.
iaha eventually to the British raj?"
Again the negative.
But the method?" I"
Umbalia smiled. What brings the
worshiper here with candles and flow.
ers and incense? Is 1t love or rev.
| erence or superstition" ~
The bald yellow heads nodded like
porcelain mandarins. 2
superstition went on Umballa.
the sword which bends the knees OF
the iayman, has and always will
through the ages!'' 2
In tho vault outside . bell tinkled.
q, gong doomed melodiously. R
when I give the sign, continued
the sehemeri declare the curse upon
H