The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-02-22

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 wilderness and the consequent hard
ness Of her flesh Kathlyn would have
suffered greatly. Half the time she was
compelled to walk. There were no how
dahs and It was q difficult feat TO sit
back Of the mahout. The rough skin
Of the elephant had the same effect upon
the calves Of her legs that sandpaper
would have had. Sometimes she STUN
bled and fell and was rudely jerked to
her feet. Only the day before they ar
rived was she relieved In any way-ehe
was given q litter, and in this manner
she entered the hateful city.
In giving her the litter the chief
mahout had been inspired by no ex-
pressions Of pity-sImply they desired
her to appear fresh and attractive when
they carried her into the slave mart.
In fitful 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 II 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 ordeals with John
Bruce: the terrors Of the temple Of the
sun: the flight from there-John
Bruce! She could still see the nre in
his eyes; she could still feel the touch
Of his gentle yet tireless hand. Would
she ever see him again?
On the way to the mart they passed
under the shadow Of the grim prison
walls Of the palace. The elephants
veered of here into a side street. toward
the huge square where horses and cat
tie and elephants were bought and sold.
The litter. in charge Of the chief mahout,
proceeded 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 ne know that she was here? Or
was he really dead? All! perhaps II
were better that death should have
taken him: better that than having his
living heart wrung by the tale Of his
daughters unspealcable miseries.
Even an she sent last lingering look
at the prison the prisoner within, his
head buried In his thin. wasted hands,
beheld her in a vision-but In happy
JOyOu8 tlblOu, OuSyIuB INC Nv
ing room Of the bungalow.
And far away a younger man beheld
q vision as very tenderly ne gazed al
Kathlyn's discarded robe and resumed
his determined quest. Often. standing
beyond his evening fires, he would ask
the silence. "Kathlyn. where are you?'
Even then she was riding fast toward
.Allaha.
A slave mart Is q rare thing these
days, but at the time these scenes were
being enacted there existed many Of
them here and there across the face OF
the globe. Men buy and sell men and
women these times-enlightened, &C
they say-but they do it by legal con.
tract or from vile hiding places.
Alfalfa had been famous mart In
its prime. 1t had drawn the agents o,
princes from all over India. Persia
Beloochistan, Afghanistan and even
southern Russia had been rined Of theil
beauties to adorn the zenanas Of thu
slothful Hindu princes.
The slave mart In the capital towr
Of Alfalfa stood in the centre Of tn,
baxaars. a great square platform with
q roof but open on all four sides. Her,
the slaves we're exhibited the pool
tnlnBb INTENDED TOT ualllanCe ana tnOS<
who were to struggle and sweat ant
die under the overseer's lash.
Every fortnight a day was set asid,
for the business Of the mart. owner
and prospective buyers met, chewet
betel nut. smoked their hookahs. sippe,
coffee and tea and exchanged the tattl
Of the hour. 1t was as much an amuse
ment as q business; indeed. 1t was tn
Oriental idea OF club. and much tn
same things were discussed.
All about there were bankers an,
fruit sellers and bangle wallas TO
slave girls should have rings Of rups
silver about their ankles and wrists)
and solemn Brahmins. and men VIII
painted red and ochre caste marks OF
ones forehead. and ash covered fakir
with withered hands. nautch girls, girl
from the bazaars, peripatetic jeweliers
kites and red headed vultures-this b.
Ing proper place for them.
The chief mahout purchased 70
kathlyn beautiful saree, or veil, whic
partially concealed her face and hair,
"Chalu!" he said. touching Kathlyn
+ ehoulder whenever she lasged, for the
had dispensed with the litter. go ON!
- mo Understood. Outwardly she sx
psared passive enough, but her 40,
was on fre and her eyes a. brillis,
- those Of the circling. swooping kite