The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1915-03-27

Copyright by Harold MacGrathl

And then, some fine night, Hare
Sahib's throat? | am not afraid OF
! death, Umballa. | have faced it toe
many times. Make an end of me at
! once or leave me to rot here, my an
swer will always be the same. | will
not become a dishonorable tool. You
have offered me freedom and jewels
No; | repeat, | will free all slaves. abol
ish the harems, the buying and selling
of flesh; will make a man of every
poor devil of a coolie who carries
stones from your quarries."
Umballa laughed. Then remain
here like dog while put your golden
! daughter on the throne and become
what the British Raj calls prince con-
sort. She'll rebel, know; but have
way" He stepped outside and closed
the door
"Umballa?"
"Well?"
Kit, my daughter? Good God, what is
she doing here when | warned herr"
Hare tugged furiously at his chains.
"Durga Ram, you have beaten me.
State your terms and | will accept
them to the letter. Kit, my
beautiful Kit, in this hell hole!"
''Ah, but | don't want you to accept
now. | was merely amusing myself"
The door shut and the bolt shot home.
Hare fell upon his knees. MY head.
my head! Dear God, save me my rea-
SOM"
The moment Kathlyn arrived at the
animal cages of her father she called
for Ahmed
my father?'
"Ah. memsahib, they say he is dead
know not. One night-the second
after we arrived-he was summoned
to the palace. He never came back"
They have killed him.
Perhaps. They watch me, too; But
act simple. We wait and see."
Kathlyn rushed across the ground
Intervening between the animal cages
and the bungaloV. There was no one
, n sight. She ran up the steps
o be greeted inside by the suave I'm.
balla.
Your" her hand flying to her bosom.
Il, Miss Hare" He salaamed, with
, sweeping gesture of his hands.
, Sadly the wretch told her the tale;
he will of the king, his death, and the
subsequent death Of her father in his,
ourga Rams, arms. Yonder urn con.
aimed his ashes. For the first time
n her young life Kathlyn tainted. She
had been living on her nerves for
weeks, and at the sight Of that urn
/, something snapped. Daintily I'm
balla plucked forth the packet and
waited. At length she opened her
eyes.
You are queen, Miss Hare"
"You are mad!"
NAY; it was the madness of the
king. But mad kings often make laws
which must be obeyed. You will &C.
cuse me of perfdy when tell you all
The note which brought you here was
!, written by me and substituted for
:, this"
Duly Kathlyn read; "Kathlyn-Ii
not heard from, I'm held captive In
Alfalfa. The royal title given to me
; by the king made me and my de
scendants direct heirs to the throne
Do not come to Alfalfa yourself. De
I stroy sealed document herewith.
; FATHER"
/ The Council of Three entered noise
y lessly from the adjoining room. Al
u the four dark, inscrutable faces the be
( wildered girl stared, her limbs numl
with terror. Gravely the council tolt
a her she must come with them to tn,
. palace.
q 1T is impossible!" she murmured
You are all mad. | am white won
% an. / cannot rule over an alien rae
whose tongue l cannot speak. who's
habits / know nothing Of. 1t is impos
d sible Since my father is dead. mus
e return to my home"
NO." said Umballa.
); II refuse to stir" She was all afr
II Of a sudden: the base trickery whic
had brought here here! She was yer
lovely to the picturesque savage VIII
lie stood at her elbow.
ls AS he looked down at her, in hi
u troubled soul Umballa knew that
e was not the throne so much as it wa
nd his beautiful bird Of Paradise whic
lie he wished to cage.
BE brave" he said, like your I,
"a Their. do not wish to use force, bl
you must go. 1t is useless to struI
liza gle. Come"
h. She hung back for moment; the
an realizing her utter helplessness, ST
"a signified that she was ready to go. 81
needed time to collect her stunned an
nm dsordered thoughts.
on Before going to the palace they CO
nd Quoted her to the royal crypt. I'll
~ urn containing her fathers ashes ";
an deposited in q niche. Many 9th,
inches contained urns. and Umbal
explained to her that these held Il
-. ashes Of many rulers Tears well,
!. into Kathlyn's eyes. but they were
q hysterical character.
"A good sign" unused Umballa. vi
,u thought he knew something of wome
~ like all men beset with vanity. Odd
on enough, he had forgotten all about I