The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1915-04-03

brown hand. It would not be true to
say tina. he was unconscious of the
act.
Presently they entered the paved
streets of the bazaars. and the going
improved. Kathlyn leaned back.
Il am Kathlyn Hare. and this is the
year
Come. now. Miss Kathlyn, no. think
ing; leave tho whole business to me
the worry and the planning. II We
can reach my elephants. all right;
Wen be in Delhi within seven days
The rest of the going will be as simple
as falling off log"
That Yankee phrase did more to re
habilitate her than all his assurances
From time to time Bruce stole
| glance through the curtained window
Stragglers were Fastening along close
| to the walls, and there were soldiers
who had forgotten to bring their guns
from the elephant arena. Once he
heard the clatter of hoofs. A horse
man ran alongside the gharri, slowed
up. peered down, and shrugged. Kath
Ign shrank toward Bruce. The rider
proceeded on his way. Ahmed recog
nized him as the ambassador from the
neighboring principality, ruled by
kumor, who was in turn ruled by the
British raj. Kathlyn could not shu,
out the leer on his face.
By midafternoon the gharri reached
Bruce's camp. Ramabai and Pundi
ia greeted Kathlyn with delight. AL
their troubles we're over. They hat
but to mount the elephants and ride
away.
| Ahmed" urged Kathlyn. leave the
gharri and come with u.s."
No, memsahib, Ahmed gazed a,
her Strangely have work to do
much work. Allah guard you'll" he
struck the horse with his bamboo and
careoned away.
Let US DO oft" cried Bruce. I'VE
have 60 miles to put between us and
freedom in fact. We cannot make the
railway Ali, pack. Go to the bun.
galow and remain there. You will be
questioned. Tell the truth. There IL
not an elephant in the royal stables
that can beat Rajah. All aboard! No
stops!" smiling as he helped Kathlyn
into the howdah. I'VE shall be forced
to ride all night"
The elephants started forward, that
ridden by Bruce and Kathlyn in the
lead, Ramabai and Pundita following
few yards in the rear.
"Mr. Bruce, / am sure Ahmed has
some information regarding father.
don't know what. Who knows? They
may have lied to me. He may be
alive. alive!"
III return and find out. once I've
got you safe. | don't blame you for
thinking all this nightmare. God
knows it's nightmarish. Do you know,
I've been thinking It over. 1t appears
to me that the king latterly took dis
like to his protege, Umballa, and
turned this little trick to make him un-
happy. l daresay he thought your IA
Their wise enough to remain away Um-
balla hangs between wind and wa
ter; he can go neither forward nor
backward. But poor Ramabai back
there will lose his gold for this"
"Ramabai has always been very
kindly to the poor: and the poor man
GENERALLY defends his benefactor when
the right time comes. To Umballa
was only means to the end. II he
declared himself king, that would
open up the volcano upon which he
stands; but as my prince consort. tina.
would leave him fairly secure
Only means" unused Bruce in
wardly, stealing glance at her sad
yet lovely profile. Umballa was a
man, for all his color; he was human;
and to see this girl it was only human
to want her. Your father was one of
the best friends | had. But, oddly
enough, never saw a photograph of
you. He might have been afraid we
young chaps. ;" He paused en-
barrassedly. IF only you had taken
me into your confidence on board the
Yorck!"
"Ah, but did you offer me the
chance?" she returned.
Il never realized till now that chap
might be too close Tipped sometimes.
Well, here we are, in flight together!"
That night for the first time in many
hours Kathlyn closed her eyes with a
sense of security. True, it was not the
most comfortable place to sleep in, the
howdah; there were ceaseless rollings
from side to side, intermingled with
spine-racking bumps forward as the
elephant occasionally fastened his
stride. Kathlyn succeeded in stealing
from the god of sleep only his cat
maps. Often the cold would awaken
her, and she would find Bruce had
been bracing her by extending his arm
across the howdah and gripping the
rail-
You mustn't do that she protested
feebly. you will be dead in the morn.
ing"
You might fall out"