The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-08-03

Bruce had possessed Rajah he had
never exhibited anything but dociIity.
The elephant was not running amuck.
though he might eventually work him
lself Into that blind. ungoyernable rage.
Ion like that, without the slightest
warning! II Kathlyn could only keep
him clear Of the trees, for the old,
rogue would do his best 70 scrape on
1.-THE irksome howdah.
Kathlyn heard the shouts from be-
thind. but she could not understand
whether these were warnings or ad.i
Twice. Could they overtake her before
|she was flung on? She tried to re-,
call the elephant talk; Ahmed had
taught her In the old days at the farm,
tbpta Just now she was too dazed. At
Ithe end Of an hour all sounds from the
|lrear ceased no more pistol shots to,
encourage. her with the sknowled ge that
friends were near. Rajah must have
outstripped them two or three miles!
At length she came into a small
clearing amid the tall Jungle grass, Ia
dead and brittle last years growth.
She sawstwo natives in the act 81 kick:
| ing iouti a dung fire. Rajah headed dl.
rectlys toward them, the fire evidently
being the line Of path, he had chose en-.
This rare and unexpected freedom,
this opportunity to go whittier he
listed, was as the giant fern he used to
eat in the days when he was free and
wild in Ceylon. IN
Kathlyn called out to the men, but
they turned and fed in terror. TO them
yRajah was amuck. The elephant.
passed the fire SO closely that the wind
Of his passing stirred the fire into life
again; and this time it crept toward
| the highly inflammable grass. a few
hundred yards beyond gKathlyn turned
toGsees the flames .leaping along the,
grass. Raiah, getting a Whit Of the
acrid smoke, quickened his stride. The
fire followed with amazing rapidly.
land stopped only when Il reached the
bed of q. trickling stream, no doubt a
torrent during the big rains. A great
pail of smoke plotted out everything in
the rear; blotted out hope, for Bruce
never could pick up the trail now.
Kathlyn's eyes were feyerishly dry,
and bright. II was only q mat ter Of,
time when the howdah would slip
down the brute's side. She prayed that
|Ishe might die instantly. Strange
Ifancies fitted through her mind, dis.
ordered by all these days Of suspense
and terror. 81,
And suddenly the Jungle came to an,
end, and q long gplowed field opened
into view. Beyond this field rose a
ruined wall, broken by a crumbling
gate, and lounging in the gateway
were soldiers. Near by were two ele.
fphants employed in ipiling logs. r.
Rajah, perforce. slackened his gait.
sThel soldiers became animated. Imme.
|idiately the two mahouts charged. their.
Ibrutess toward Rajah,. who stopped
ale had had his sport. He swayed to
|Efnd fro. One OF the inahonts reached
Ifforwardi and clouted. Rajah on 1.-the
|kpee. He slowly kneeled. Il The. sol.
Alers ran forward to. help tKathlyn out.
~ the howdah, AT the sight Of her
skh their astonishment was great.
"a She was very weak and faint, and
The increasing babel Of tongues was
like little triphammers{ 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 ibe.
Sdefiled. Natives instantly flocked
about, jabbering in wonder. Some OF
the holder touched her bare arms.
The soldiers drove them back angrily.j
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