Rocky Ford enterprise., 1916-03-10

the end they WOuld De WnelmeOs ana
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
Khan's fierce hillmen. All we ask is
that you abide with us till you have
legally selected your successor"
who shall be Pundita," said Kath-
lyn 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
!, do IN nj tro
Kathlyn understood. She shook her
head. Umballa should end his days in
the treadmin: 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 I am not to die. majesty?"
No"
And Bala Khan? inquired the
priest
He shall stand prepared: that is
ALL"
The people. crowding in the temple
and in the square before 1t, salaamed
deeply as Kathlyn left and returned to
tie 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 1t would be many days ere
Pundita wore the crown-trust the
priests to spread the meshes of red
tare.-Kathlyn was reasonably GER
tain.
my GIRL" said the colonel. you are
a queen, IL ever there was one, And
that you should think of such a sim
pie thing when we had all given up!
They would not have touched Umbal-
la. Kit, Kit, whatever will you do
when you return TO the humdrum life
at home?"
Thank God on my knees, dad" she
said fervently. But we are not safe
vet, by no means. We must form our
plans quickly. We have perhaps three
days grace. After that, woe to all of
us who are found here. All. | am
tired, tired!"
Kit" whispered Bruce. Il intend
this night to seek Bala Khan!"
"John,"
Yes. What the deuce is Alfalfa to
me? Ramabai must fight 1t out alone.
But don't worry about me: I can take
care of myself"
But don't want you to go. need
you"
1T is your life. Kit, I am certain.
Everything depends upon their finding
out that Bala Khan will strike II you
call upon him. At most. all he'll do
will be to levy a tribute which Rama
bal, once Pundita is on the throne. can
very well pay. Those priests are dew
lis incarnate. They will leave no stone
unturned to do you injury, after to-
days work. You have humiliated and
outplayed them.
1T is best he should go. Kit," her
father declared Wen not tell Rama.
hal. He has been a man all the way
through; but we mustn't sacrifice our
chances for the sake of bit OF senti.
ment. John must seek Bala Khan's
aid"
Kathlyn became resigned to the in.
evitable.
Umballa. He tried to bribe the sol
diers. They laughed and taunted him
He took the rings from his fingers and
offered them. The soldiers snatched
them out of his palm and thrust him
along the path which led to the mill
In Alfalfa political malefactors and
murderers were made to serve the
state; not a bad law II it had always
been a just one. But many poor
devil had died at the wrist bar for nc
other reason than that he had offended
some high official. disturbed the seren