Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-26
CONTINUED From Yesterdays starr
CHAPTER xxx.
MIRO FORBIDDEN PLACES.


land by safari into the alpine
Businesses of the Mountains of the
Moon. But the venture extended no
prospect of achievement. It could do
no more than furnish an outlet for her
restlessness So she contented herself
with a brief visit to Cairo and two
weeks later boarded P. & o. liner for
Bombay.
Long before the Red Sea had been
traverSed she was known through the
ship as the American girl who'd lived
in the Senussi and she learned from
the passengers much that was valuable
about India--even something about the
man she intended to visit.
What? Ghulum Buk?" said a dis
trict commissioner up from Jullundur
way. "Of course I know him--or of
him rather. Every one does. He's bit
of a Saint--one of the healthieSt influ-
ences in India. A very remarkable old
chap. Doesn't believe in much of any
thing that we do. Doesn't like West
ernism, but holds out against violence
and that sort Of thing. Abbot of the
Gelugpa Monastery in Lahore. Has a
lot to say about what the BuddhistS
do-that is, the pure, uncontaminated
Buddhists.
"Old Ghulum Buk's lot are the real
thing-followerS of the Way. See him?
1 should think you'd have difficulty.
But, then, you seem to be able to do
things, Mrs. Vaneering. No harm in
having try anyhow"
This only served to promote Dagger's
impatience. She could scarcely wait
for the steamer to reach Bombay, and
alas for the Gateway of India, she left
1t overnight. But she was unable to re-
sist the bizarre fascination of, the tenn
ing life of the central provinces as re-
vealed from her car window.
Never in single % hours OF travel
had she seen so many human beings.
They swarmed about the station like
gnats, Wherever the land was arabic
villages showed through the foliage,
men and women toiled in the fields,
tnnumerable children raced beside the
tracks
The cities were equally strange, ba-
rogue, unkenapt, each one slunn. She
received an impression of the utter
cheapness of human life. There was
no trace of the native dignity of the
desert folk and at times she was pro-
foundly depressed.
But nothing could quench her grow
ing excitement as the train steamed
north. She lay awake the second night
and was early awake to watch for the
domeS and minarets of Lahore, a city
lovelier far, she soon decided, than any
other she had judged by fleeting i'm
preston.
At the hotel she explained her wishes.
as soon as she had bathed and changed
her clothes, to deferential Babbu
clerk, who was quite put out by her in
tention.
''Yes, truly, madame must have COM
petent guide" he said in his clipped,
sing-song English. spoken with the
painful accuracy OF one who rehearsed
it all in his mind But it is not Gus
tomaree for Buddhist priest to receive
foreign lady in monastery. doubt If
success attends madame's effort"
You may leave that to me-" Dag
ger answered CURLY. Secure me the
guide and I'll do the rest"
The guide, q suave Bengali, was
equally discouraging, but perfectly will
ing to carry out his employers instruc-
tons, and procured a motor for the
journey across the city to the monas-
terry, which was situated in the oldest
quarter. Sitting back, with teeth
clenched and frowning brows, Dagger
had no eyes for the colorful pageantry
OF the streets. She looked straight
ahead at the followed back of the
Sikh chauffeur and the rotund form of
the Bengah Immersed in thought, she
was surprised when the car stopped.
This is Gelugpa Lamassary, what
you say monastery, madame" the guide
announced. Most holy place in North
India for those Buddhists who are not
emancipate of religious faith. Varee
superstitious people" He waxed loqua-
cious. Wholly ignorant of modern sci
ence, believing in miracles, like people
VINO have no advantage of universitee.
NOV /, who am M. A, Calcutta"
Thank Won, Ram Das," Dagger In
terrupted, despite her impotence Sc
cretly amused, but I am most inter-
ested at the moment in learning some
thing OF those superstitions. How do
we get IMP"
The guide indicated a gateway in the
thick wall of the building which tow
ereo above them, silently majestic, i'm
pervlous to the hustle Of the street.
we ring bell" he said. Lama come.
/ think he say no."
Crossing the pavement he jerked at
rope hanging from a hole in the lin
tel and bell changed harshly within,
Immediately panel slid back in the
gateway and dark, lined face peered
out at them. Ram DaS bowed very
low-he seemed to retain respect for
molly people, whatever he thought of
their ideas-and spoke in a low tone.
The monk cut him of at once, sternly
emphatic, and when Ram DaS would
nave continued, calculated one short
phrase and started to close the panel.
Dagger herself stepped forward.
l am Blaine Howards friend" she
said quickly in English without think
Ing now ridiculous it was to expect the
monk TO understand her. And, indeed
ne ola not, but he delayed in closing
the panel and cast a curious glance
over her flushed features.
He say why you want to see Ghulum
Buk. Ghulun1 Buk varree holy man
not have time for women"
Tell him-here, let me write it down
on piece of paper"
And she scrubbed on the back of an
envelope:
For Ghulum Buk-Blaine Howard
uSed 10 talk to me of you. May I not
talk with you of him? am in trouble
Tor lack Of wisdom.-Alexandria Va
neering"
The monk accepted it from her, turn
ing 1t In his hand, not suspiciously, but
as II in doubt. He looked at her again
nodded his head and barked a. sentence
at the guide, who rubbed his hands to-
gether unctuously as the panels clicked
shut.
Priest say please you wait, madame
He take paper to Ghulum Buk."
Dagger climbed back into the cal
with a feeling OF entire relief. A vote,
out OF nothingneSs has whispered II
her ear" You shall succeed" And *
1t was. Halt an hour passed and thu
gate itself creaked open. The monk re.
appeared, bowling low hands folded II
the wide sleeves of his yellow robe
Ram Das, leaping expectantly from hi
seat beside the driver, interpreted thu
invitation.
He say please you come with him