The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1915-05-29

ed to do. And on the night of this
sober occasion he sat in the throne
room before desk Uttered with docu-
ments. AS he finished writing note
lie summoned the majordomo.
Have this delivered at once to Hare
Sahib, whom you will find at his bum
galow outside the city. Tell him also
that he must be present tonight, he.
ais friend, and his daughters. 1t is
Of vital importance"
Pundita, who was staring out of the
window, turned and asked her lord
what he was sending the Colonel Sa-
hib hat he could not give him at the
banquet.
"A surprise, an agreeable surprise"
The majordomo cooked his ears; but
Ramabai said nothing more.
At the coloners bungalow there was
rejoicing. Ramabai had written that
since the king could not be found he i
would head the provisional govern-l
ment as regent, search for and arrest
Umballa, and at any time the Colonel
with trusty escort to the railway,
three days journey away. He added,
however, that he hoped the Colonel
Sahib would be good enough to re-
main till order was established.
The majordomo contrived to tarry
long enough to overhear as much OF
the conversation as needed-for he
understood English-and then re-
turned to the city to carry the news
to Umballa. To him Umballa gave a
white powder.
Tonight, you say, Ramabai gives
banquet
Yes, huzoor."
well, put this in his cup and your
obligation to me is paid"
The majordomo stared long time
at that little packet of powder A
cold sweat formed upon his brow un.
der his turban.
"Well?" said Umballa, ironically.
"Huzoor, it is murder"
Umballa shrugged and held out his
hand for the packet.
The majordomo swallowed a few
times and bowed his head. 1T shall
be done, huzoor. My life is yours to
do with as you please. have said it."
"Begone, then, and bring me the
news on the morrow that Ramabai is
dead. You alone know where the king
Is. Should they near the hut in which,
have hidden him, see that he Is
killed. He is also useless"
The major domo departed with
heavy heart. Ramabai was an honest
man; but Durga Ram had spoken.
At the banquet, with it's quail ana
pheasant, it's fruits and flowers, it's
rare plates and it's rarer goblets for
the light wines high castles permitted
themselves occasionally to drink. Ra-
mabai toyed idly with his goblet and
thoughtlessly pushed it toward Kath-
Ign, who sat at his right.
Imbued with sente of gratitude for
Ramabais patience snd kindness and
assistance through All her dreadful
ordeals, Kathlyn spHng up suddenly
! and without looking reached for what
she supposed to be her own goblet, but
: inadvertently her hand came in con
, tact with Ramabai's. What she had il
mlhd 10 say was never spoken.
: The majordomo stood APPALLED, Thi,
, WONDERFUL wnite woman over whom
the gods watched as they watched
the winds and the rains, Sof whom h.
had not dared speak to UMballa. She
No! He saw that he himself mus
die. He seized the goblet ere /
: reached her lips, drank. and flung i
aside empty He was as good as dead
for there were no anfidotes 70
poisons umballa gave Those seate
about the table were too astonished t
stir. The majordomo put His hand t
his eyes, reeled. steadied himself; an
, then Ramabai understood.
"Poisonl" he gasped. sbringing i