Meade County news., 1915-02-04
CHAPTER xIv-continued.

Immediately the high priest an
nounced that the successful candidate
would be conducted to the palace zena-
ma and confined there till the final
ceremonies were over.
Umballa dreamed of what he had
seen.
To Ramabai was given the exalted
honor Of conducting the king and his
betrothed to their respective quarters.
Once in the private passageway to the
harem, or zenana, Ramabai threw eau
tion to the winds,
1--WE must go roundabout way to
the garden of brides, which will be de-
serted. Outside the gate Bruce Sahib
and Ahmed and Lal Singh await with
elephants. Once we can join them we
are safe. And in a months time
shall return"
Meantime one Of the leopard keep
ers rushed frantically into the throne
room, -exclaiming that the seven guar
dian leopards were at large. Even as
he spoke one of the leopards appeared
in the musicians balcony. The panic
which followed was not to be de-
scribed. A wild scramble ensued to-
ward all exits.
The fugitives entered the royal
zenana. Kathlyn proceeded at once
to the exit which led to the garden of
brides. There she waited for her ia
ther and Ramabai, who. had paused
by the door Of one OF the zenana cham
bers. Between them and Kathlyn lay
the plunge.
Ramabai addressed the lady of the
Eenana, telling her that II guards
should come to state that Kathlyn was
concealed in her own chamber. To
this the young woman readily agreed.
Suddenly leopard appeared behind
the colonel and Ramabai. Kathlyn,
being first to discover the presence
of the animal, cried out warning.
Fly, Kit! Save yourself! am ac-
cursed!" called the colonel.
Ramabai and the young woman at
the chamber door hurriedly drew the
colonel into the chamber and shut
the door. The colonel struggled, but
Ramabai held him tightly.
I'VE are unarmed, sahib." he said.
"and the memsahib never loses her
head"
"Ramabai, tell you shall die here.
1t is useless to attempt to aid me.
am accursed. accursed! Kit, Xiii"
The leopard stood undecided before
the door which had closed in his face.
Then he discovered Kathlyn, fumbling
at the wicker door at the far side OF
the swimming pool. There was some
thing upon which to wreak his tenn
per; for all this unusual commotion
and freedom had disturbed him great
ly. Kathlyn opened the wicker door
closing 1t behind her. Clear headed,
as Ramabai had said, she recollected
the palanquin which had been last
to enter the garden of brides. She
ran into the garden, flew to the palan-
Quin just as she heard the leopard
crash through the fiimsy wicker door.
She reached and entered the palanquin
not moment too soon. She huddled
down close to the floor. The leopard
trotted round and round, snarling and
shifting. Presently he was Joined by
another. From afar she could hear
shouting. She readily understood.
Through some carelessness the leop-
ards of the treasury were at liberty.
and that of her own and her father
was in jeopardy. Just without the
garden of brides was Bruce and help,
and she dared not move
Bruce, from his howdeh, heard the
noise in the palace; female shrieks,
commands, shot from musket.
What in heavens name had happened?
Where was Kathlyn? Why did she
not appear? He fingered his revolvers.
But Ahmed signaled to him not to
stir The knowledge of whatever had
happened must be brought to them;
on their lives they dared not go in
search Of it.
This comes from your damnable
oriental way Of doing things II | had