Rocky Ford enterprise., 1915-12-24

Kathiyn understood by the expres
sion on Umballa's countenance what
was taking place. She smiled down at
her enemy.
so be It, Bala Khan" snarled Um-
balla, his rage no longer on the rein.
'In one months time shall return.
and of your city there will not be one
stone upon another when leave I'll"
"One MONTH" Ramabai laughed.
why are you always smiling, Rama.
bai2" asked Bruce.
Il have had dream. sahib," aa-
swered Ramabai, still smiling. "Um-
balla will not return here"
You could tell me more than that"
"I could. but will not" the smile CIV
ing way to sternness.
"If I only knew what had become OF
| Ahmed" said the colonel. when the
last Of Umballa's soldiers disappeared
whence they had come. Il should feel
content"
I'VE shall find. or he will find us. II
he is alive" said Kathlyn. Now let
| us make ready for the last journey.
One hundred miles to the west is the
Arabian gulf. 1t is a caravan port. and
there will be sailing vessels and steam
ships" She shook him by the shoul-
| ders joyously. Dad. we are going
home. home!"
kit, l want to see Winnie!"
The word sent twinge Of pain
through Bruce's heart. Home! Would
he ever have a real one? Was she to
go out of his life at last? Kathlyn
Hare.
But you. Ramabai?" soid Kathlyn.
81 shall return to Allaha. and Pun
dita." replied Ramabai.
1T will be DEATH" objected Bruce
and Kathlyn together.
Il think not" and Ramabai permit.
ted one of his mysterious smiles to
stir his lips.
"Ramabai!" whispered Pundita. fear
fully.
Yes After all why should we
waltz"
"I?-
Even sol"
Kathlyn.
"Allaha is weary Of Umballa's iron
heel. weary of u vacillating Council.
| And the time has arrived when the
two must be abolished. thousand
men await the turn of my hand. And
| who has a better right to the throne
of Allaha than Pundita. my wife?"
Good" cried Kathlyn. her eyes
sparkling. Good! And IL We can help
you"
Kit" interposed the colonel I'VE
can give Ramabai and Pundita only
our good wishes. Our way lies to the
west. to the seaport. and home"
Ramabai bowed.
And the party returned to the COM
pound rather subdued. This quiet
young native banker would go far.
And II | am ever a queen, will my
beautiful memsahib come back some
day and visit me2"
THAT l promise. Pundita. though
have no love for Allaha."
| I'VE will go with you to the coast"
said Ramabai, "and on our return to
Alfalfa will see what has become OF
the faithful Ahmed"
For that my thanks" responded the
colonel Ahmed has been with me for
many years. and has shared with me
| many hardships. II he lives. he will
be a marked man. SO far as Umballa
is concerned Aid him to come to me.
The loss of my camp and bungalow IL
nothing. The fact that We are all alive
today is enough for me. But you.
Bruce: will it hit you hard?"
Bruce laughed easily. Il am young.
Besides. 1t was n pastime for me.
though / went at 1t In a business way"
Il am glad OF that There is moth.
ing to regret In leaving this part OF the
world" Yet the colonel sighed.
And Kathlyn heard that sigh, and
intuitively understood. The filigree
basket of gems OF such was the
minds Of men.
But the colonel was taken Ill that
night, and 1t was a week before he
left his bed. and another before he was
considered strong enough to attempt
the journey. Bala Khan proved to be
| a fine host, for he loved men of deeds.
| and this white-haired old man WAS one
| OF the right kidney. He must be
strong ere he took the long journey
| over the hot sands to the sea.
A spy of Umballa's watched and
waited to carry the news to his mas.
ter, the day his masters enemies de
parted from the haven OF Bala Khan's
walled city.
When the day came the khan insist.
ed that his guests should use his own
camels and servants. and upon Rama
bai's return the elephants would be
turned over to him for his Journey
back to Allaha. Thus. one bright
morning. the caravan set forth fol
what was believed to be the last jour
ney.
And Umballa's spy hastened away.