Evening star., 1914-03-15

Courteously he asked Kathlyn how
she had become injured, and Ramabai
acted as interpreter. He then ushered
them into his house. spread rugs and
cushions for them to sit upon, and
mildly inquired what had brought the
son Of his old friend so far
Col. Hare spoke several dialects fiu-
emily. and briefly told (between sips
of tea and bites of cake which had
been set out for the guests his ex-
periences in Allaha.
The rulers Of Allaha." observed Bala
Khan. have always been half mad
Ramabai nodded in agreement.
went on Bala Khan, lighting a ciga-
rette and eyeing Kathlyn with wonder
and interest. "Ah. that Durga Ram
whom they call Umballah. 1 have
heard of him, but fortunately for him
our paths have not crossed in any
way" He blew a cloud of smoke
wisdom in avoiding me. In front of me.
a desert: behind me, verdant hills and
many sheep and cattle. well guarded.
I am too far away for them to bother.
Sometimes the desert thieves cause a
furry. but that is nothing. 1t keeps
the tulwar from growing rusty" pat
tipr Ep{fa of HE
Bala Khan was muscular: his lean
hands denoted work: his clear eyes,
the sun and wind. He was in height
and build something after the pattern
of the colonel.
"And to force a crown on me- said
the colonel
You could have given it to this Um-
ballah," wisely.
That would not do
In each case you showed fore
thought The Durga Ram when he had
you where he wanted you" Bala
Khan drew a finger suggestively across
. his throat 'Ramabai. son of my
friend. will have many sheep for you
this autumn. What is it to me wheth-
er you Hindus eat beef or not?" He
laughed.
Il am not Hindu in that sense
returned Ramabai. Il have but one
Cod"
, And Mahomet is his prophet" said
the host piously.
perhaps. 1 am a Christian"
Bruce stirred uneasily. but his alarm
was without foundation.
"A Christian" unused Bala Khan "Ah,
WE'LL have no fear Of me. There is no
Mahdi in these hills. There is but one
road to paradise and argument does
not help us on the way
Lowly and quickly Pundita translat-
ed for Kathlyn so that she might miss
none of the conversation.
The Colonel Sahib looks worm"
Il am"
Now, in my travels l have been to
Bombay. and there 1 dressed like you
dress Perhaps the Colonel Sahib would
be pleased to see if he can wear it?
And also the use Of my barbera'
"Bala Khan cried the colonel. you
are a prince indeed. 1t will tonic me
like medicine. Thanks. thanks
TT is WELL
there in the compound said Bruce.
who had remained a silent listener to
all that had gone before
.'.Ah. That is a curiosity. He is wor-
SHIPPED by Hindus and reverenced by
my own people. l am his official Gus
todian. There is a saying among the
people that i'll will befau me should
lose. sell or permit him to be stolen"
And many have offered 10 buy?'
inquired the colonel.
Many"
When the colonel appeared at sup
per, simple but substantial, he was
new man. He stood up straight.
though his back still smarted from the
lash. Kathlyn was delighted at the
change.
After the meal was over and coffee
was drunk. the Khan conducted his
guests to his armory. of which he was
very proud. Guns Of all descriptions
lined the walls. Some Of them Bruce
would have liked to own, to decorate
the walls of his own armory. thousands
Of miles away.
The colonel whispered a forgotten
prayer as, later, he laid down his
weary aching limbs upon the rope bed
Almost Immediately he sank into slum-
Der as deep and silent as the sea.
Kathlyn and Bruce however, went UP
to the hanging gardens and remained
there till 3. marveling over the beauty
Of the night. The Pathan city lay
under their gaze, with a likeness to
one Of those magic cities one reads
about in the chronicles Of Sinbad the
a Dot