The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-07-25

reached out over seas thus strangely
to reassure her, A hardness came
INTO her throat and she swallowed des
|perately. She was only twenty.four
Except for herself there might not be-
20 white person IN ali this sprawling,s
rugged principally. From. time to!
time the new mahout turned! and
smiled OF her curiously. but she was
too absorbed to note his attentions
SDurga Ram, called lightly umballa,i
went directly to the palace, where he
knew the Council OF Three solemnly
awaited his arrival He dashed .upsthe
imposing fight Of marble steps, ;exult.
ant. He had fulfilled his promise; the
golden daughter. OF Hare Sahib was
but flew miles away. The soldiers,
guarding the entrance. presented their.
arms respectfully but Instantly after
tmballa.I disappe ared the expression
| ontthetr faces was mot pleasing.
tUmballas hurried along through the
deep corridor. supported by exquisite.
luz carved marble columns. Beauty In
fstone was In evidence everywhere and,
magnificent brass lamps hung from.
the ceiling There was a shrine topped,
by an Idol In black marble, Sincrusted,
with sapphires and tturquoises. Durga
Ram; who shall be called Umballa,
nodded slightly as he passed 1t. Force
ofthabit, since in his heart there was
only one relig ion-self. Z:
He stopped at a door guarded by q
single soldier, who salnted but spat
as soon as umballa had passed into,
the throneroom. The throne itself
was vacant. The Council Of Three rose
lat tiiesapproach of Umballa.
She'll here he said ihaughtily.
The Council salaamed.
umballa stroked his chin as he
gazed ! at theg huge candles Pickering
atieachy side OF the throne Helsnifred,
the Tibetan incense, and shrugged. II
was written. 60 he said, ito Hare
|ssahib's bungalow and await me. Il
shall be there. presently. There is
|splenty Of time. And. remember our,
four heads depend upon the next few
hours. The soldiers are on the, verge.
Of mutiny. and onlyssuccessic can pacify
them., s ;f sSa ~
He turned without ceremony and
left them. With oriental philosophy
they accepted the situation. They had
sought to. oyerturn him, and he held
them In the hollow Of his hand. Dur.
ing the lweeks. Of his absencein Amer.
lea hislspiesl had hung about them like
bees about honey. They were the fowl.
ers shared. a
1 Umballa proceeded along the CORR!
dor to a flight of stairs leading be.
meath the palace floor. Here the sol!
diers were agreeable enough; they,
had reason to be! Umballa gave them
new minteds rupees for their work,
many rupees! Forsthey knew secrets;
Before the door Of a dungeon umballa
paused and listened: There was Spo
sound. He returned upstairs Eand
sought al chamber near the haFeI,I
This he entered, and stood with folded
arms near the door ldsst u N III
Colonel Sahib!n illSij;ss III !. Il
"Umballa % Colonel Hare, bearded,
unkempt, tried TO stand erect! and face
his enemya6tt You 'blacK tscoundrel!" Il
4"Durga Ram, isatib: Words, words,
the 2atterio f.rainon stone roofs. Our
king. lives no5more; talas!""}9s Ss Z
sA"Youslie!. 9jit had glt.I
"Heds dead. Dying. he left you this
throne--you. a whiteNmans Gknowingi
1T was n legacy Of terror and confu:
sion. You knew. Why did ,iyou re-;
turn? All, Epearlsg andt 5sapphires and
emeralds! What? I offer you this,
throne upon conditions.
"And those conditions u have re-
fused ,l3y st.E
you have, yes. but now" Umballa
smiled! Then he suddenly lblazed forth:.
Think You. a white man shall sit upon
this throne while ! live? tits mine
Twas his heir"
Then why didn't you save him from
the leopard? I'll tell you Why. You
expected to inherit on the spot. and
1spoiled the game. Is that not true?"
And what II Il admit it?" trucu.
lently, X q
"Umballa, or. Durga RAM IL you
WISH listen. Take the throne: What's
to hinder! you? You want 1t. Take 1t
and let me begone.' .31s4 4
Yes want it, and by all the gods
of Hind I'll have it-but safely! ;Ah!i
1T would be fine to proclaim myself
when mutiny and rebellion stalk about.
Am ], a. pig to play a game like that?
Tchl Tch!" He clicked his tongue
against the roof Of his mouth in de.
rision. "No; l need a tbuckler, till all
this roilys water subsidies and clears
And then. some fine night, Hare
Sahib's throat? I. am not afraid Of
death, umballa. l have faced it too
many times: Make an end Of me at
once or leave me to rot here. my an:
swer will always be the same. I will
not become a dishonorableg tool! You
have offered me free dom and Jewels.
No; I'repeat 1 willifree all slaves, abol.
ish the. harems, the buying and selling
of5 flesh II will mako n ma n ~ avssrv