The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1915-04-17


even went so far as to pat her on the
shoulder. The steel film did not cover
all her nerves. so it would seem: the
patted shoulder was vulnerable. She
WINGED, for she read clearly enough
what was in the mind back of that
touch.
She had made her plans. To the
man who purchased her she would as
sumo meekness of spirit in order to
lull his watchfulness. To the man
who purchased her :. Kathlyn Hare!
She laughed. The old man behind her
nodded approvingly. hearing the sound
but not sensing its import All, when
the moment came, when the fool who
bought her started to lead her home.
she would beguile him and at the first
sign of carelessness she would trust
to her heels. She knew that she was
going to run as never a woman ran
before; back to the beasts of the jun
gle, who at least made no effort to
modest her SO long as she kept out of
their way
Wild and beautiful she was as the
old mahout turned her over to pro-
| fessional seller
"Circassian!"
From the north"
"A bride from the desert!"
"A yellowhair!
"a daughter of the north seas!"
The old mahout squatted close by
and rubbed his hands. He would be a
rich man that night; bags of rupees;
a well matched house to cover his
gray hairs till that day they placed
him on the pyre at the burning CHAT.
The gods were good.
Durga Ram, known Familiarity as
Umballa. at this hour came forth into
the sunshine, brooding He was not
in happy frame of mind. Many
things lay heavy upon his soul but
among these things there was not one
named remorse. To have brought
about all these failures, this thought
irked him most. Here was a crown al.
most within reach of his greedy fin.
gers, the water to Tantalus. To have
underestimate this yellow haired
young woman, he who knew women
so well-there lay the bitter sting
He had been too impetuous; he should
have waited till all her fears had been
allayed. That spawn of silva, the mil
itary, was insolent again, and rupees
to cross their palms were scarce
| hi he Ill W., IL
dead? Was she alive?
The white hunter had not returned
to his camp yet, but the sly Ahmed
was there The perpetual gloom or
the face of the latter was reassurinl
to Umballa. Ahmed's master ha(
not found her To wiring the white
mans heart was something. He dared
not put him out of the way; too many
knew.
And the Council was beginning tt
them in leash?
/. What a woman! AS magnificent as
the daughter of Firoz, shah of Delhi
Fear she knew not. At one momen
! he loved her with his whole soul, a
another he hated her, longed to ge
her into his hands again, to wreal
] his vengeance upon her for the hu
initiation she had by wit and courage
/. heaped upon him. Il am ready" HI
could hear it yet. When they had lee
her away to the ordeals-"I an
! ready" A woman, and not afraid t,
die!
Money! How to get 1t! He coul,
] not plunge his hand into the treasury
there were too many about, too man.
| tongues. But Colonel Hare kney
] where the silver basket lay hiddel
heaped with gold and precious stones
and torture could not wiring the hid
i. ing place from him. May he b
damned to the nethermost hell! LIE
/ him, Durga Ram, but bury his leal
hands in that treasure, and Narak
swallow Alfalfa and all it's kings
. Rubies and pearls and emeralds, an
a far country to idle in, to be fete
in, to be fawned upon for his riches
And Ramabai and his wife, Pundita
let them beware; let them remain
wisely in their house and NEEDLE no
4 with affairs of state
"A thousand rupees!"
l Umballa looked up with a start
Unconsciously he had wandered int
the slave mart. He shrugged an
would have passed on but for tn
strange. unusual figure standing o
1 the platform. A golden haired won
an with neck and arms like Chimes
bronze and dressed in a skirt of grass
He paused
I Two thousand rupees!"
I What" jeered the professional Sc
Ter. For an houri from paradise
j 0, We of weak hearts, what is this
= hear? Two thousand rupees for a
houri fit to dwell in the zenana {
heaven!"
A keen-eyed Mohammedan edge
closer to the platform. He stare
and sucked his breath. He four
himself pulled two ways. He had l
money. but he had knowledge.
Who sells this maiden?" he aske
"Mohammed Ghori"
HI Which is he?"
He squats there"