Meade County news., 1915-01-14

are going in, too. What caste wouId
those dancers be, Ramabai?"
"Pariahs. quite possibly; probably
brigands"
The rim Of the sun was sinking
rapidly as Bruce drew his elephant to
a halt before the gate of the white
walled city. The guard ran out, bar
ring the way.
Il am Ramabai, a friend of Bala
Khan. l am come to pay him a visit.
Direct me to his house or his palace"
The authority in Ramabais voice
was sum cient for the guard, who gave
the necessary directions. The party
continued on into town.
Presently they came upon a group In
the center Of which we're the dancers
at their vocation. They ceased their
mad whirlings at the sight of the TWO
elephants. There were nine of these
men, fierce Of eye and built muscular
ly. No effeminate Hindus here, mused
Bruce, who did not like the looks of
them at all.
On through the narrow streets,
! sometimes the sides of the elephants
scraping against the mud and plaster
Of the buildings, and one could easily
look into the second stories. No one
seemed hostile; only natural ourioe-
ity was evinced by those standing In
doorways or leaning out of windows.
The house Of Bala Khan was not ex-
actly palace, but it was of respecta-
BILE size. A high wall surrounded the
compound. There was a gateway.
open at this moment. A servant ran
out and loudly demanded what was
wanted.
Say to your master, Bala Khan,
that Ramabai, son of Maaho Singh,
his old friend, awaits with friendly
greetings"
Kit" whispered Kathlyn's father,
this chap Ramabai wouldn't make a
bad king And look!" excitedly.
There's the sacred elephant, and If
he isn't white I'll eat my hiatt"
The servant ran back into the COM
pound and spoke to a dignified man.
who proved to be a high caste Brah-
min, having in his charge the care of
the white elephant. He disappeared
and returned soon with the khan. The
pleasant face. though proudly nodded,
together with the simplicity Of his ap-
pearance, conveyed to Kathlyn the
fact that here was a man to be trusted,
at least for the present He greeted
Ramabai cordially, struck his hands
and ordered out the servants to take
charge of what luggage there was and
to lead away the elephants to be fed
and watered
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.
Colonel Hare spoke several dialects
fluently and briefly told (between sips
of tea and bites OF cake which had
been set out for the guests) his expert
ences in Allaha.
"The rulers of Allaha," observed
Bala Khan, have always been half
mad"
Ramabai nodded in agreement
"You should never have gone back,
went on Bala Khan, lighting cigarette
and eyeing Kathlyn with wonder and
interest, "Ah, that Durga Ram whom
they call Umballa! / have heard Of
him, but fortunately for him our paths
have not crossed in any way" He
blew cloud of smoke above his head
We'll, he has shown wisdom In avoid
ing me. In front of me. desert; be-
hind me, verdant hills and many sheep
and cattle, well guarded am too far
away for them to bother. Sometimes
the desert thieves cause furry, but
that is nothing 1t keeps the tulwaV
from growing rusty" patting the grea,
knife at his side.
Bala Khan was muscular; his leab
hands denoted work; his clear eyea
the sun and wind He was in height
and build something after the pattern
of the colonel.
"And to force a crown on mel" sale
the colonel.
You could have given 1t to this Um-
balla," 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.
(TO BE CONTINUED)
IMNEnr IlOIIAII tn DI ANNE