The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1915-05-15

kathIyn Discovers the Leopards Are
Loose.
diers will understand that once agein
they have been trifled with"
"We must wait. But it's mighty
hard"
In the garden of brides on the day
when the ten yelled candidates sat in
waiting, there was spring in the air;
and there were roses climbing trel-
Uses, climbing over the marble walls.
and the pomegranate blossoms set fire
to it all. At the gate stood Ramabai,
dressed according to his station, and
representing by proxy the king. Pres.
emily splendid palanquin arrived,
and within 1t tardy candidate. She
was laden with jewels, armlets, ank-
let's, and head ornaments; pearls and
uncut sapphires and rubies. Upon
lifting her veil she revealed beauti
full high caste face. Ramabai babe
her pass on. No sooner had she taken
her place than still another palanquin
was announced, and this was drawn
by fat, sleek bullocks all of color.
Ramabai held up his hand. The bull
lock drivers stopped their charges, and
from the palanquin emerged yelled
woman. This was Kathlyn.
The selected candidates were now
all present. AS master of ceremonies,
Ramabai conducted them into the
throne room, gaily decorated for the
occasion. In balcony directly above
the canopy of the throne were mus-
clans, playing the mournful harmonies
so dear to the oriental heart
Upon the throne sat Colonel Hare.
gorgeously attired but cold and stern
of visage, prepared to play his part
in this unutterable buffoonery. Near
by stood Durga Ram, so called Umbal
la, smiling. 1t was going to be very
simple; once yonder stubborn white
fool was welded, he would be made
to disappear; there should be another
wedding. in which he, Durga Ram,
should take the part of the bride.
groom. Then for the treasury, fight,
and, later, ease abroad. Let the fill
gree basket of gems stay where it
was; there were millions in the treas,
ury, the accumulated hoardings OF
many decades.
The council and high priests also
wore their state robes, and behind
them were officers and other digni
taries.
There was stir as Ramabai en-
tered with the yelled candidates. The
colonel in vain tried to hide his in
terest and anxiety. kathlyn was there
somewhere, among these kow-towing
women; but there was nothing by
which he could recognize her. AS the
women spread about the throne, Ra
mabai signified to the musicians to
cease.
Silence.
Then Ramabai brought candidate
after candidate close to the colonel, Sc
that he alone might see the face be
hind the veil. AT each uplifting of the
| veil the colonel shook his head.
dark frown began to settle over I'm
balla's face. If the colonel refused the
last candidate for nuptial honors, hi
should die. But as Ramabai lifted thu
veil of the last woman the colone
nodded sharply; and Kathlyn, for {
brief space gazed into her fathers
eyes The same thought occurred t
both: what horrible mockery 1t al
was, and where would it lead finally
'Take care." whispered Kathlyn, al
she saw her fathers fingers NOV,
nevously with suppressed longing t
reach out and touch her
The spectators Of this little dram
which was hidden from them evince,
their approval by murmuring whicl
had something like applause in it.
queen was chosen! A real queen a
last had been chosen. Ramabai haJ
accomplished by diplomacy what yor
der Durga Ram had failed to do b
force. But Umballa secretly smiled a
he sensed this undercurrent. Present
ly they should see.
The colonel extended his hand an
drew kathlyn up beside him; and no,
for a moment the whole affair trem
bled in the balance: Kathlyn felt hel
self possessed with wild desire t
laugh.
The chain Of gold. representing tn
betrothal, was now ordered brough
from the treasury.
The populace. outside the palac,
having been acquainted with what wa
taking place, burst out into cheers.