Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1926-12-03
THE
MOMENTS
JUDGMENT
"a ~ v. 8. chaDman.1
By ALFRED DENNIsoN

clubs in the Far East concern
i ing Mannering 1t is not told to
any but members of the govern
ment service, and these do not tell
1t too much, for 1t is one of those
stories that are better suppressed.
The marvellous loyalty OF India to
Great Britain was the most significant
thing In the whole Of the great war.
In one quarter only was there dlssat-
lsfactlon. That was the little state Of
Bundapur, in central india. Bupda-
pur was the birthplace OF the Zero
clous worship of the goddess Keli,
the murder-goddess. For centuries
this fierce idolatry had been decayins,
but of late years there had been an
effort to revive It.
Now Bundapur had strong links of
contact with other idolatrous states
of India. If the rajah of Bpndappt
took advantage of England's need to
throw Off her yoke, he would be Joined
by other potentates, and the farie Of
revolt would spread all through the
central provinces.
1t was Mannerlng's task to preserve
peace in Bundapur. He was the Brit
lsh resident there, and the power be-
hind the throne. There were two 9th
er rulers In the turbulent little state
the Rajah Ferozeshah, whose apces-
tors had been Moslems and had be-
come idolators in order to retain their
hold upon the kingdom, and MpEzyr,
the chief priest, who OBLIGATED In the
magnificent temple Of the goddess, to
which votarles came from all parts of
India
Mannering and old Muzzur were
good friends, for the British govern
ment scrupulously respects all faiths
in Its domlnlons, but when opportu-
nifty comes, friendship goes. And op-
portunity had come with the war to
the old king Ferozeshah, who dreamed
of carving out for himself On empire
which was to embrace all central
India.
Mannering was engaged to ep Eng
lish girl, who was to have cone odt
to marry him when the war began
That postponed matters, and Manner
ing, chatting under the delay, could
only continue to administet the af-
fairs Of the kingdom, as tho repre-
sentative of the British raj. He had
not single white soldier to maintain
his authority, for they had all been
withdrawn. Meanwhile, the annual
festival of the goddess Kali was ap-
preaching.
Mannerlng had u shrewd idea of
what was brewing in Bundapur. He
had, IN fact, had frank talk with old
Muzzur. He had shown him what
was no use showing the old king, be-
cause the priests word alone could
decide the issue. He had explained
to him that England's might, tempo
rarlly withdrawn would fall after the
war with fearful force upon a rebel
ious Bundapur. Let Muzzur declare
for England and rich would be his re
ward.
The old priest smoked and listened,
and, while Mannerlng was wondering
ut MS butnCtt ShOWSE VI btoHeS
came through the windows Of the
resIdency, thrown by the turbulent,
fanatical mob without. The priest
rose, smiling. you see," he said. ",rhe
decision is not In my power, sahib.
The people are very much attached to
the faith of Kali, and they want to
be free. Only one thing can keep
them loyal"
"What is thatf' asked MannerinR.
The priest leaned forward, conf
dentlally. IF the sahib will also &C
cept the faith of Kali, the people will
hear his words" he said
When he was gone, and the few
native servants had dispersed the
mob, Mannering paced his room,
thinking. He was n sincerely relig-
ious man he believed that to become
an idolator would have certain
spiritual consequences he knew that
II meant the loss Of Mary Trevethan,
whom he had loved since he was
boy. But, II man should sacrifice
his life for his country, hoy much
the more should he not sacrifice his
soul for her, and the woman he
loves?
The struggle lasted all night. At
dawn he sent for the priest Muzzpr,
entering found a haggard pan With
drawn cheeks and hair stteaked with
gray. Mannerlng had aged twenty
years in that one night.
"Muzzur," said Mannering, prepare
proclamation for the people stating
that have decided to accept the faith
Of Kali, and that I shall attend at the
temple tomorrow, when the annual
festival begins, to PROSTATE myself
before the goddess"
The old priest watched him with a
serene face. He knew the struggle
that Mannerlng had gone through
he knew, too, that the rajah would
not be overpleased ut this dramatic
ending Of all his plans for carving out
an idolatrOus empire In the heart Of
India.
ut shall be done as the sahlb says"
he answered at last, and withdrew.
The news buzzed through Bunda-
pur. within two hours all the inhab-
ltants Of the state knew that the god
dess Kali, Of the many hands, had
conquered. A huge mob gathered out
side the resldency and cheered itself
hoarse. But inside Mannering was
pacing up and down, and he paced
al night, and none dared disturb him.
At dawn he called the bearers Of his
palanquin, and stepping inside, he
allowed himself to be borne through
The enthusiastic mobs that lined the