The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1915-06-12
tCopyrighs by Harold Macorath)


soldiers spat contemptuously as they
seized him and dragged him off.
The priests conferred hastily. Bala
Khan was a fierce Mohammedan, a
ruthless soldier; his followers were
without fear. The men of Alfalfa
might put up good defense, but in
the end they would be whelmed; and
the gods of Hind would be cast out to
make way for the prophet of Allah,
This young woman with the white skin
had for the nonce beaten them. Durga
Ram had played the fool between the
two women, he had fallen. They had
given him power, and he had let it slip
through his fingers for the sake of re
prisal where 1t was not needed. Let
him go, then, to the treadmill they
were through with him. He had played
his game like tyro. They must pla-
cate this young woman who the peo-
pie believed was their queen, but who
they knew was the plaything of poll
tics and expediencies.
The chief or high priest salaamed
and Kathlyn eyed him calmly, though
her knees threatened to refuse sup
port.
Majesty, we bow to your will ALA
ha cannot hope to cope with Bala
Khans fierce hillmen. All we ask is
that you abide with us till you have
legally selected your successor"
Who shall be Pundita,' said Kath-
Ign resolutely.
The chief priest salaamed again
The movement cost him nothing. Once
Bala Khan was back in his city and
this white woman out of the country,
he would undertake to deal with Ra-
mabai and Pundita He doubted Bala
Khan would stir from his impregna-
BILE city on behalf of Ramabai
The frail woman who loved Umballa
raised her hands in duplication.
Kathlyn understood She shook her
head Umballa should end his days in
the treadmill he should grind the
peoples corn. Nothing should stir her
from this determination.
Majesty, and what OF me?" cried
the unhappy woman, now filled with
another kind of remorse.
You shall return to the zenana for
the. present"
Then l am not to die, majesty?'
mo"
And Bala Khan?" inquired the
priest.
He shall stand prepared; that is
ALL"
The people. crowding in the temple
and in the square before it, salaamed
deeply as Kathlyn left and returned tc
the palace. She was rather dizzy over
the success of her inspiration. A few
| days might pass without harm; but
sooner or later they would discover
that she had tricked them; and then
the end But before that hour arrived
they would doubtless find some way
of leaving the city secretly.
That it would be many days ere
Pundita wore the crown-trust the
priests to spread the meshes of rec
tape!-Kathlyn was reasonably Ger
tain.
my GIRL" said the colonel, you ar,
a queen, If ever there was one. ANT
that you should think of such sim
pie thing when we had all given up
They would not have touched umbal
la. Kit. Kit. whatever will you d,
when you return TO the humdrum lif
at homer"
THANK God on my knees, dad!" sh
said fervently But we are not SAT
yet, by no means. We must form on
plans quickly, We have perhaps tire
days grace. After that, woe to all Q
us who are found here. All, ar
tired, tired"
Kit" whispered Bruce, Il inten
this night to seek Bala Khan!"
John"
Yes. What the deuce is Alfalfa I
me? Ramabai must fight 1t out alone
But don't worry about me; Lean TAX
care of myself
But l don't want you to 60. l nee
YOU"
1T Is your life, Kit, l am certain
Everything depends upon their findin
out that Bala Khan will strike If 70
call upon him. At most, all he'll d
will be to levy tribute which Ram,
bal, once Pundita Is on the throne, ca
very we'll pay Those priests are de
lis incarnate. They will leave no stor
J unturned to do you injury, after I
: days work. You have Inundated ar
outplayed them"
1T is best he should go, Kit" h,
father declared. Wen not tell Ram
bal. He has been man all the wa
through; but we mustn't sacrifice o,
chances for the sake of bit of SEM
! ment. John must seek Bala Khan
aid"
Kathlyn became resigned to the |
evitable.
. Umballa He tried to bride the sc
! diers. They laughed and tainted hill