The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-04-27

no suspicion. There were many elephants about the
palace this day. In one of the howdahs sat Bruce,
armed in the other, Pundita, trembling with dread.
So many times had SILVA, that evil spawn, interviewed
that Pundita would not believe all was we'll till they had
crossed the frontier.
"They will be coming soon, Sahib," said Ahmed.
Bruce wiped the sweat from his palms and nodded.
Now, when Umballah and his captain of the guard de-
parted with the betrothal chain they did not firmly close
the outer door, which shut off the leopards from the
main palace. The leopards were Immediately freed and
began their prowIing through the corridors, snarling and
growing as they scented the air through which the two
men had just passed. One paused by the door, impa-
tiertly thrusting out a paw. The door gave.
In the throne room the mockcry of the betrothal was
gone through, and then the calm Ramabai secretly signi-
fed that the hour for escape was at hand: for every
where, now that the ceremony was done, vigilance would
be lax.
Immediately the high priest announced that the success
full candidate would be conducted to the palace zcnana
and confined there till the final ceremonies were over.
Umballah dreamed of what he had seen.
To Ramabai was given the exalted honor Of conduct
ing the king and his betrothed to their respective quar-
tiers. Once in the private passageway to the harcm, or
zenana, Ramabai threw caution to the winds.
1--WE must go a roundabout way to the garden Of
brides, which will be deserted. Outside the gate Bruce
Sahib and Ahmed and Lal Singh await with elephants.
Once We can join them we are safe. And IN q months
time l shall return"
Meantime one of the leopard keepers rushed franticahy
into the throne room, exclaiming that the seven guardian
leopards we're at large. Even as he spoke one of the
Ieopards appeared in the musicians balcony. The panic
which followed was not to be described. A wild scramble
cnsued toward all exits.
The fugitives entered the royal zenana. Kathlyn pro-
ceeded at once to the exit which led to the garden of
brides. There she waited for her father and Ramabai,
who had paused by the door of one of the zenana cham
bers. Between them and Kathlyn lay the plunge.
Ramabai addressed the lady Of the zenana, telling her
that if guards should come to state that Kathlyn was
concealed in her own chamber. To this the young woman
readily agreed.
Suddenly a leopard appeared behind the Colonel and
Ramabai. Kathlyn, being first to discover the presence
Of the animal, cried out a warning.
ely, Kit! Save yourself! I am accursed " called
the Colonel.
Ramabai and the young woman at the chamber door
hurriedly drew the Colonel into the chamber and shut
the door. The Colonel struggled, but Ramabai held him
tightly.
1--WE are unarmed, Sahib," he said, " and the Mem
sahib never loses her head"
"Ramabai, l tell you l shall die here. 1t is useless to
attempt to aid me. l am accurscd, accursed! Kit, Xiii"
The leopard stood undecided before the door which
had closed in his face. Then he discovered Kathlyn,
fumbling at the wicker door at the far side OF the swim
ming pool. There was something upon which to wreak
his temper; for all this unusual commrtion and freedom
had disturbed him greatly. Kathlyn opened the wicker
door, closing it behind her. Clear headed, as Ramabai
had said, she rccoIlected the paIanquin which had been
last to enter the garden Of brides. She ran into the
garden, flew to the palanquin just as she heard thu
leopard crash through the fimsy wicker door. She
reached and entered the palanQuin not a moment toe