Rocky Ford enterprise., 1915-12-03
CHAPTER TX.
Tho Colonel In Chains.

Tho Colonel In Chains.
The colonel and Unballa swayed
back and forth. Umballa sank to
his knees and then fought madly to
rise; but the hands at his throat were
the hands OF a mailman. steel. resist
less. The colonel's chains clanked
sharply. Lower and lower went Um-
balla's head; he saw death peering
into, the cell. His cry ratified in his
throat.
Not a sound from Kathlyn. She
watched the battle. unfeeling as mar
BILE. Let the wretch die: let him feel
the fear OF death; let him suffer as
he had made others suffer. What
new complications might follow Um-
balla's death did not alarm her. How
could she be any worse off than she
was? He had polluted her cheeks
with his kisses. He had tortured and
shamed her as few white women have
been. Mercy? He had said that day
that he knew not the word.
"Ah. you dog! Haven't l prayed
God for days for this chance? You
black caha! Die!"
But Umballa was not to die that
moment or in that fashion.
That nervous energy which had In
fused the colonel with the strength
OF a lion went out like a spark. and
as quickly Umballa rolled from his
paralyzed fingers and lay on the floor.
gasping and sobbing. Hare fell back
against the pillar, groaning. The ces-
sation of dynamic nerve force filled
IL. hi ntua Nd Nil l.
able weakness. But for the pillar he
would have hung by his chains.
Kathlyn, with continued apathy.
stared down at her enemy. He was
not dead. He would kill them both
now. Why. she asked with sudden
passion, why this misery? What had
she done in her young life to merit
it? Underfed, dressed In grass,
harassed by men and wild beasts
why?
Umballa edged out of danger and
sat up. feeling tenderly Of his throat.
Next he picked up his turban and
crawled to the open door. He pulled
himself up and stood there. weakly
But there was venom enough in his
eyes. The tableau lasted minute or
bolted it. and departed.
This ominous silence awoke the old
terror in Kathlyn's heart far more
than verbal threats would have done.
There would be reprisal. something
finished in cruelty.
MY dear. my dear!" She ran over
to her father and flung her arms
abont him. supporting him and moth.
ering him. An hour passed.
"All in, Kit; all in: haven't the
strength of cat. All. great God! II
that strength had but lasted a mo
ment longer, Well. he's still alive.
But, o, my Kit, my golden Kit, to see
you here is to be tortured like the
damned. And 1t is all my fault, all
mine!" The man who had once been
80 strong sobbed hysterically.
Hush. hush"
There were rare and wonderful
Jewels of which alone knew the hi.
ding place. But God knows that 1t was
not greed; l wanted them for you and
Winnie. knew you were here. Trust
that black devil to announce the fact
TO me God! what ! haven't
suffered in the way Of suspense! Kit.
Kit, what has he done to your
Briefly she recounted her adven-
lures. and when she had done he
bowed his head upon her bare shoul.
der and wept as only strong men.
made weak. weep.
To Kathlyn 1t was terrible. Father.
don't. don't! You hurt me! can't
stand it,"
After a while he said: What
shall we do Kit: what shall we do!"
Il will marry him, father" she an
swered quietly. We can take our re-.
venge afterward,"
What"
IF II will save you"
Child. let me rot here. What!
Would you trust him. knowing his
Alse heart as you do? The moment
YOU married him would be my death
warrant. No. no. II you weaken now
1 shall curse you. curse you. my Kit!
There has been horror enough l can
aie"
Well. and so can ], father
{Silence Afsr cockatoo shriiled:
.NIauch came family through the wiu-
ho.r 10 lrte- the unkie of music.