The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-08-14

III -
at VIII Be Deathln Objected KathIyu
and Bruce.
two must be abolished. A thousand
men await the turn of my hand. And
who has a better right to the throne
of Alfalfa than Pundita, my wife?"
Good" cried Kathlyn, her eyes
sparkling. Good! And If We can hell
you"
Kit. interposed the colonel. eve
can give Ramabai and Pundita only
our good wishes. Our way lies to the
west, to the seaport. and home"
Ramabai bowed.
And the party returned to the com
pound rather subdued. This quiet
young native banker would so far,
"And IL am ever a queen, will my
beautiful memsahib come back some
day and visit me?"
THAT l promise, Punditn, though
have no love for Alfalfa"
we, will go with you to the coast,
said Ramabai, "and on our return to
Alfalfa will see what has become Of
tho faithful Ahmed"
/! For that my thanks" responded the
colonel. ahmed has been with me fol
many years, and has shared with me
many hardships. II he lives, he will
be marked man, so far as Umballa
is concerned. Aid him to come to me
The loss Of my camp and bungalow is
nothing. The fact that we are all alive
today is enough for me. But you,
Bruce; will 1t hit you hard?''
Bruce laughed easily, Il am young
Besides, 1t was pastime for me,
though went at It in q business way"
Il am glad of that. There is moth.
ing to regret in leaving this part of the
world" Yet the colonel sighed.
And kathlyn heard that sigh, and
intuitiyely understood. The flligree
basket of gems. OF such was the
minds Of men.
But the colonel was taken i'll that
night, and 1t was q week before he
left his bed, and another before he was
considered strong enough to attempt
the. journey. Bala Khan proved to be
q fine host, for he loved men of deeds,
and this white-haired old man was one
of the right kidney. He must be
strong ere he took the long Journey
over the hot sands to the sea.
A spy Of Umballa's watched and
waited to carry the news to his mas.
ter, tho day his masters enemies de.
parted from the haven Of Bala Khan's
walled city.
When the day came the khan insist.
ed that his guests should use his own
camels and servants, and upon Rama.
BATS return tho elephants would be
turned over to him for his journey
back to Alfalfa. Thus, one bright
morning, the caravan set forth for
what was believed to be the last jour
ney.
And Umballa's spy fastened away.
All day long they wound in and out,
over and down the rolling mounds Of
sand, pausing only once, somewhere
near four o'clock, when they dismount.
ed for q space to enjoy a bite to eat
and a dish Of tea. Then on again,
through the night. making about sixty
miles in all. At dawn they came upon
we'll, and here they decided to rest
till sunset. Beyond the well, some
twenty-five miles, lay the low noun.
tain range over which they must pass
to the sea. At the foot OF these hills
stood a small village, which they
reached about ten o'clock that night.
They found the village wide awake.
The pariah dogs we're bowling. And
on making inquiries It was learned
that a tiger had been prowllng about
for. three or four nights, and that they
had set a trap cage for the brute. The
colonel and Bruce at once assumed
charge. The old zest returned with
all its yigor and allurement. Even
Kathiyn and Pundita decided to Join
the expedition, though Pundita knew
nothing Of arms.
Now, this village was the home Of
the nine brigands, and whenever they
were about they dominated the ;villag.
ers. They were returning from a for.
aging expedition into the hills, and
discovered. the trap cage with the tiger
inside. Very good. The tiger was no
use to any but themselves, since they
knew where to sell IT. They were in
the actcf pulitnE the brush away from
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