Rocky Ford enterprise., 1915-11-05

listed, was as the giant fern ne useu 10
eat In the days when he was free and
wild in Ceylon.
Kathlyn called out to the men. but
they turned and fed in terror. To them
Rajah was amuck. The elephant
passed the fire 80 closely that the wind
Of his passing stirred the fire into life
again: and this time it crept toward
the highly infiammable grass. few
hundred yards beyond Kathlyn turned
to see the flames leaping along the
grass. Rajah. getting a Whit Of the
acrid smoke. quickened his stride. The
fire followed with amazing rapidity
and stopped only when 1t reached the
bed of a trickling stream. no doubt
torrent during the big rains. A great
pail of smoke blotted out everything in
the rear: blotted out hope. for Bruce
never could pick up the trail now.
Kathlyn's eyes were feverishly dry
and bright 1t was only a matter OF
time when the howdah would slip
down the brute's side. She prayed that
she might die Instantly. Strange
fancies fitted through her mind, dis
ordered by all these days Of suspense
And suddenly the jungle came to an
end. and a long plowed field opened
into view. Beyond this field rose a
ruined wall, broken by crumbling
gate. and lounging in the gateway
were soldiers. Near by were two ele-
plants employed in piling logs.
Rajah. perforce, slackened his gait.
The soldiers became animated. 1mme.
diately the two mahouts charged their
brutes toward Rajah, who stopped.
He had had his sport. He swayed to
and fro. One of the mahouts reached
forward and clouted Rajah on the
knee. He slowly kneeled. The sol.
diers ran forward to help Kathlyn out
of the howdah. At the sight OF her
skin their astonishment was great
She was very weak and faint. and
the increasing babel Of tongues was
like little triphammers beating upon
her aching head. One of the soldiers
gave her drink of water. He held
his canteen high. SO that the water
trickled into her mouth; no lips but
his own must touch the nozzle, other
wise, being a Brahmin, he would be
defiled Natives instantly focked
about. jabbering in wonder. Some OF
the bolder touched her bare arms.
The soldiers drove them back angrily.
Through the press a horseman pushed
forward. The rider stared at the
strange captive, started. and uttered
an astonished cry.
THE white queen of Allaha, whom
mine own eyes saw crowned at the
Durbar there!" he murmured. by the
shroud of the prophet, what can this
mean? Stop!" he called to the sol
diers. Kathlyn looked up DULY
Convey her to his highness the ku.
mor!" The prince should decide what
should be done with her.
The kumor was big and lazy and
sensual. He gazed upon Kathlyn with
eyes which sparkled evilly, like cats
Who is this woman?" he demanded
"Highness. she is the white queen
of Allaha. but who may say that she Is
here!" with q smile as evil as his
masters.
But how came she here?"
The horseman briefly recounted the
events as he had seen them In the cap
ital of Allaha.
Who are you. maiden?" the kumoI
asked in English. for. like all poten
tates, little or great, in India. he
spoke English. 1t presented the de
lectable pastime of conspiring in two
languages; for from Bombay to Cal
cutta, from Peshawar to Madras, India
seethes, conspires. and takes an occa
sional pot shot at some poor devil oi
a commissioner whose only desire Is te
have them combine religion and sani
tation.
II am an American. Please take me
to the English commissioner" Some
how instinct told her that she might
not expect cuccor from this man with
the pearls about his gross neck.
Il regret that his excellency the
commissioner has gone to Bombay
Besides, | do not know that you tel
the truth Still, can offer you what
pearls and emeralds you may find te
your liking"
Your highness. there are those
whose coming shortly will cause YOU
much annoyance if you refuse to give
me proper aid. There is no possible
way for you to cover up my appear
ance here. Send me to the commits
sioner's bungalow, where ! may avail
the coming of my friends"
Indeed" The kumor saw here 8
conflict not altogether to his liking
He was lazy, and there was the damn
able, unrelenting hand of the British
raj looming in the distance. He
shrugged. "Achmet. call the captain
of the guard and have him convey this
runaway queen to Allaha. Surely, ]
may not meddle with the affairs of q
friendly state" With a wave of his
fat. bejeweled hand he appeared TO dis
miss the matter from his mind.