The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-03-16

AVING decided upon the fate of Kathlyn, the
- natives set about recapturing the wild elephant
4 1t took the best part OF the morning. When
this was accomplished the journey to Alfalfa was
begun. But for the days of peace and quiet of the will.
derness and the consequent hardness of her flesh, Kathlyn
would have suffered greatly. Half the time she was com.
PEELED to walk. There were no houdahs, and it was a
difficult feat to sit back Of the mahout. The rough skin
Of the elephant had the same effect upon the calves az
her legs that sandpaper would have had. Sometimes she
stumbled and fell, and was rudely jerked to her feet
Only the day before they arrived was she relieved in
any way: she was given a litter, and in this manner sbs
entered the hateful city.
In giving her the litter the chief mahout had been in.
spired by no expressions of pity; simply they desired her
to appear fresh and attractive when they carried her into
the slave mart.
In ftful dreams all that had happened came back to
her-the story her father had told about saving the old
kings life, and the grim. ironical gratitude in making
Col. Hare his heir-as If such things could be! And
then her own journey to Alfalfa; the nightmarish dur
bar during which she had been crowned; the escape
from the ordealB with John Bruce; the terrors OF the
temple of the SUE: the flight from there John
Bruce! She could still see the fire in his eyes; she could
still feel the touch of his gentle yet tireless hand. Would
she ever see him again2
On the way to the mart they passed under the shadow
Of the grim prison walls Of the palace. The elephants
veered off here into a side street, toward the huge square.
""A~ NNhS~ XIV Satle IL SIePuaHLS bought ana
sold. The litter, in charge Of the chief mahout, pro-
seeded to the slave mart. Kathlyn glanced at the wall
wonderingly. Was her father alive? Was he in some
bleak cell behind that %crumbling masonry? Did he know
that she was here? Or was he really dead? All, perhaps
1t were better that death should have taken him-better
that than having his living heart wrung by the tale of
his daughters unspeakable miseries.
Even as she sent a last lingering look at the prison the
prisoner within, bis head buried in his thin, vasted
hands, beheld her in a vision-but in a happy. ioyous
0slon' ousylng about the living room OF the bungalow.
And far away a younger man beheld a vision as very
tenderly he gazed at kathlyn's discarded robe and re-
sumed his determined quest. Often, standing beyond his
evening hres, he would ask the silence, "Kathlyn. where
are Sou!" Even then he was riding fast toward Alfalfa.
a Elave mart is a rare thing these days, but at the
tune these scenes were being enacted there existed MANY
o them mere and there across the face of the globe.
Men buy and sell men and women these times-enlght-
ened' SO they say-but they do it by legal contract or
from vile hiding places.
Alfalfa had been a famous mart in its nrin,e 70 had
drawn the agents of princes from all over India. Persia.
Beloochistan, Afghanistan, and even southern Russia had
been rided of their beauties to adorn the zenanas of the
slothful Hindu princes.
The slave mart in the capital town of Alfalfa stood in
the center of the bazaars, a great square platform with q
roof, but open on all four sides. Here the slaves
exhibited, the poor things intended for dalliancs and
those who were to struggle and sweat and die under the
overseer's lash.
Every fortnight a day was set aside for the business
OF the mart. Owners and prospective buyers met, chewed
retel nut, smoked their hookahs, slipped coffee and ten.
and exchanged the tattle of the hour. 1t was as mich
an amusement as a business; indeed, it was the oriental
idea OF a club, and much the same things were discussed.
Thus, Appaji bought a beautiful girl at the last barter
and Roya found a male who was a good iugeler. and
only night before last they had traded. The bazaars were
mot what they used to be. Dewan Ali had sold his wife
go q Punjab opium merchant. Aunut Singh's daughter
had run away with the son Of a bhisti. All white peopls
ate pig. And no one read the slokay, or moral stanzas.
amy more. Yes, the English would come some day. when
there would be enough money to warrant it.
all about there were barkers, and fruit sellers. and
bangle wallas Qor slave girls should have rings of rupee
silver about their ankles and wrists), and solemn Brah.
minis, and men who painted red and ochre caste marks
On ones forehead, and ash covered faFirs with withered
hands. Nautch girls, girls from the bazaars, peripatetic
jewellers, kites, and red headed vultures-this being a
proper place for them.
Ihe chief malout purchased for Kathlyn q beautiful
saree, OK veil. which partially concealed her face and hair.
SChaIu! " he said, touching KathIyn's shoulder when
eyer sae Jagged, for they had dispensed with the litter.
Go on!
CHE uaasrstood. outwardly she appeared paaaive