The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1914-09-25

Why are you always smiling. Rama
bai7' asked Bruce
Il have had a dream. sahib." an
swered Ramabai, still smiling. "um-
balia will not return here"
you could tell me more than that"
II could, but will not" the smile Civ.
ing way to s~ternness.
IF only knew what had become OF
Ahmed" said the colonel. when the
last Of Umballa's soldiers disappeared
whence they had coma. Il should feel
content"
I'VE shall find, or he viii ind US, II
he Is alive" said Kathlyn. Now let
us make ready for the last journey.
One hundred miles to the west Is me
Arabian gulf. 1t IL . caravan port and
there will be sailing vessels and steam
ships" She shook him BY the shout
ders joyously, Dad. we are going
home, home!"
Kit, / want to Q Winniel"
The word sent a twinge OF pain
through Bruce's heart Home! Would
he ever have a real onsf WA she to
70 Out OF his life At last? kathlyn
Hare.
But you, Ramabai?" said kathryn.
81 shall return to Alfalfa. ! I and Fun
dita," replied RamabaL.
1T will be DEATH objected Bruce
and KRthlyn together.
Il think not" and Ramabai permit
ted one OF his mysterious smiles TO
stir his lips.
"Ramabai!" whispered Pundita. fear.
fully.
YES. After all. why should we
waltz"
'I7~
Even sol" .
What is all this about?" inquired
Kathlyn.
"Allaha is weary Of Umballa's iron
heel, weary Of a vacillating Council
And the time has arrived when the
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 wifeY'
Good" cried Kathlyn, her eyes
sparkling. Good! And II we a heir
you"
kit" %interposed the colonel, we
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 quie'
young native banker would go lar.
And II | am ever a queen, Will my
beautiful memsahib come back some
day and visit me?"
"That / promise. Pundita, though
have no love for Alfalfa"
I'VE will 60 with you to the coast
said Ramabai, "and on u return u
Alfalfa will see what has become O
the faithful Ahmed"
For that my thanks" responded tn
colonel. ahmed has been with me FOL
many years, and has shared with M
many h~ardships. II he lives, he vii
be q marked man, 80 far as umpaii
is concerned. Aid him to come to me
The loss of my camp and bungalow j
nothing. The fact that we are all allv'
today IL enough for me. But you
49,. TIL a. IIt pntt hardYV
Bruce laughed easily. j am young
Besides, It was a pastime for me
though I went at 1t in a business way.
II am glad Of that There Is notf
ing to regret In leaving this part OF tn
world" Yet the colonel sighed.
And Kathlyn heard that sigh. an
intuitively understood. The hligre
basket OF gems. OF such was tn
minds Of men.
But the colonel was taken III thu
night, and II was q week before D
left his bed, and another before he wa
| considered strong enough TO attemI
the Journey. Bala Khan proved to b
a fine host, for he loved men Of deed
i ~ a
and this white-haired old mi was on
Of the right kidney. He must D
! strong ere he took the long journe
over the hot sands to the sea.
: A SOY Of Umballa's watched an
waited to carry the news to his ma
, ter. the day his masters enemies d
parted from the haven Of Bala Khan
> walled city.
When the day came the khan insis
: ed that his guests should use his ow
camels and servants. and upon Ram
! BATS return the elephants would
turned over to him for his journe
: back to Alfalfa. Thus, m brigl
. morning, the ravan set forth Il
. what was believed to be the last jou
. ney.
And Umballa's spy hastened away
crO BE coNTINUED.)
IT, =