Rocky Ford enterprise., 1916-02-04

Marry me. and ono week after will
give you the means of leaving Ala
ha. Will you marry me7"
"Yes." The word slipped over Win
MES lips family. She recalled All
med's advice: to humor the man. to
play for time: but she knew that II
he touched her she must scream.
Keep that word. Your father and
sister are FOOLS"
Winnie trembled. They were alive.
Kit and her father; this man had lied.
Alive! o. she would not be afraid OF
any ordeal now. They were alive. and.
more than that, they were free.
II will keep my word when the time
comes" she replied clearly.
"They are calling me Durga Ram
the Mad. Beware. then. for madmen
do mad things"
The door opened and shut behind
him. and she heard the key turn and
the outside bolt click into its socket.
They were alive and free. her loved
ones! She knelt upon the cushions.
her eyes uplifted.
Alone. with a torch In his shaking
hand, Umballa went down into the
prison. to the row of dungeons. In the
door of one was sliding panel. He
pulled this back and peered within.
Something lay hidden in a corner. He
drew the panel back into its place.
climbed the worn steps. extinguished
the torch. and proceeded to his own
home, a gift of his former master.
t,,ot ttot1
fines. Once there, he had slaves anoint
his bruised back and shoulders with
unguents. ordered his peg. drank 1t.
and lay down to sleep.
On the morrow he was somewhat
daunted upon meeting Ramabai in the
corridor leading to the throne room.
where Winnie and the Council were
gathered. He started to summon the
guards. but the impassive face Of his
enemy and the menacing hand stayed
the call
You are brave man, Ramabai. to
enter the lions den in this fashion.
You shall never leave here alive"
"Yes. Durga Ram. shall depart as
came. a free man."
you talk like that to met" furi-
ously.
Even SO. Shall I go out on the
balcony and declare that know what
a certain dungeon holds?"
Umballa's fury vanished. and sweat
oozed from his palms.
Your"
Eyes, know. A truce! The people
are muttering and murmuring against
you because they were forbidden to
attend your especial Juggernaut. Best
for both Of US that they be quieted and
amused"
"Ramabai. you shall never wear the
crown"
II do not want It."
Nor shall your wife,"
Ramabai did not speak.
you shall die flrst!"
War or peace?" asked Ramabai.
"War!"
$50 be it. shall proceed to strike
the first blow"
Ramabai turned and began to walk
toward the window opening out upon
the balcony; but Umballa bounded
after him, realizing that Ramabai
would do as he threatened. declare
from the balcony what he knew.
Wait! A truce for 4s hours"
agreed. I have a proposition to
make before you and the Council. Let
US go in"
Before the Council (startled as had
Umballa been at Ramabai's appear
ance) he explained his plan for the
pacification and amusement Of the
people. Umballa tried to find flaws in
it; but his brain. befuddled by nu-
merous pegs and disappointments.
saw nothing. And when Ramabai
produced his troupe OF wild animal
trainers not even Winnie recognized
them. But during the argument be-
tween Umballa and the Council as to
the date of the festivities Kathlyn
raised the corner of her veil. 1t was
enough for Winnie. In the last few
days she had learned self-control; and
there was scarcely sign that she saw
Kit and her father. and they had the
courage to come here in their efforts
to rescue her!
1t was finally arranged to give the
exhibition the next day. and messen-
gers were dispatched forthwith to no
tify the city and the bazaars. dozen
times Umballa eyed Ramabai's back.
murder In his mind and fear in his
heart. Blind fool that he had been
not to have seen this man in his true
light and killed him. Now. If he hired
assassins. he could not trust them: his
purse was again empty.
Ramabai must have felt the gaze.
for once he turned and caught the eye
of Umballa. approached and whis-
pered: "Durga Ram. wherever l go
I am followed by watchers who would
die for me. Do not waste your money
nm hired assassins"