Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1918-10-10

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q guard was set to watch them. But
the guard only consisted Of two men.
both Gf whom were Pathans. and they
assured them that. ridiculous though II
sounded. the British were actually
willing to ADrgive their enemies and
to pardon all deserters who applied for
pardon on condition OF good faith In
the future.
That they prayed to Allah like little
children lost and found. The women
crooned love-songs to their babies over
the clear fires md the men talked
and talked--and talked until the stars
grew big as moons to weary eyes and
they slept mt last. to dream Of khaki
uniforms and karnel sahibs who knew
neither fear nor favor and who said
things that were 40. 1t II q mad world
to the Himalayan hillman where men
In authority tell truth unadOrned with
out shame and without consideration
a mad, mad world, and perhaps too ex-
otto to be wholesome, but pleasant
while the dream lasts.
Over In the fort Courtenay placed
q bath ut Kings disposal and lent him
clean clothes and razor. But he was
not very cordial.
"Tell me all the war news I" said
King. splashing In the tub. And Cour-
tenay told him. passing him another
cake Of soap when the first was I'm
ished. After all, there was not much
to teli--butchery In Belgium--Huns
and guns--and the everlastingly glori-
Gus stand that saved Paris and France
and Europe.
According to the cables our men are
going the records one better. / think
that's ALL" said Courtenay.
"Then why the stiffnessT asked
King. "Why am I talked to at the
end Of tube, 30 to speak7'
you're under arrest r. said Courte-
nay.
"The deuce ami''
'1'm taking care Of you myself to
obviate the necessity Of putting SEN
| try on guard over you"
"f'ood Of you, I'm sure. What's It
all abOutf"
II don't mind telling you. but I'd
rather you'd wait. The minute you
were sighted word was wired down to
headquarters. and the general himself
will be UP here by train any minute"
every WE'LL" said King. "Got q e.
gar3 Got q black onei Blacker the
betterv'
He was out OF his bath and remem.
| bered that minute that he had not
smoked cigar since leaving India.
Naked. shaved, with some of the stain
removed. he did not look like man In
trouble as he filed his lungs with the
saltpeterish smoke Of q fat Trichino-
poll.
And then the general came and did
not wait for King to get dressed but
burst into the bathroom and shook
hands with him while he was still
naked and asked ten questions (like
a gatling gun) while King was getting
| on his trousers. divining each answer
after the third word and waving the
rest aside.
"And why am arrested. sira" asked
King the moment he could slip the
| question In edgewise.
"Oh, yes. OF course. Try the case
here as well as anywhere. What does
this meanf"
| Out Of his pocket the general pro-
duced letter that smelt strongly of
u scent King recognized. He spread
II out on table. and King read. 1t
was Yasmini's letter that she had sent
/ nAn,sN In II kxyka ~ Tai
hot to hold him.
"roo bad about your brother" said
the general. 1.-THE body IL buried.
How much Is true about the head2"
King told him.
| "Where's she2" asked the general.
| King did not answer. The general
waited.
| II don't know, sir"
ASK the Rangar." Courtenay sug
gestcd.
''Where Is hep asked King.
| Caught him coming down the Khy.
Der on his black mare and arrested
him. He's In the next room! l hope
he's to he hanged. So that can buy
the mare he added cheerfully.
King whistled softly to himself, and
the general looked ut him through
half-closed eyes.
go In and talk tn him. King. Let
me know the result"
He had picked King to go up the
khyber on that errnnd not for moth.
ing. He knew King and he knew the
symptoms. Without answering him
King oheyed. lie went out Of the room
into 4 dark corridor and raped on
the door at the next room to the
right. There was muilied answer
from within. Courtenay shouted some
thing to the sentry outside the door
and he called another man. who fitted
key In the lock. King walked into
n room In which one lamp was burn.
ing and the door slammed shut be-
hind him.
He was In there an hour. and II
never did transpire just what passed
for he can hold his tongue on any sub.
iect like clam, and the general. II
anything can so HIM one better. Cour.