The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-03-08
The Rains
Game

Pansome found the maharanee
in the tent. and she received MIN
not in the audience hall with Us
carpets and paintings, but IN ner
own chamber. where she sat on
the floor alone with the OLD
Princess OF Bewsnger She look
ed tired with great dark circles
under the brilliant eyes, ana she
wore no jewels save two drops OF
diamond in her ears There was
a fierceness in her aspect, KIND
of cfimness which he had seen
only once or twice before IN all
the years he had known her. at
moments when she had lost her
temper and become suddenly a
tigress.
She looked at him and said,
We'll -
It's about Lady Esketh, Your
Highness."
What is it about Lady Es-
keith ."
She doesn't want to go. She
wants to stay here"
The black eyes contracted a
little. so that they seemed con-
centrated points of fire. And
why doesn't she want to go?'
He shrugged his shoulders.
Then faint grin came over the
handsome, tired. old face and he
OWNED that she knew that, too
how Edwina had looked at the
major that night at Mrs. Banner
Jee's. Or perhaps she had noticed
it even on that first night during
the state dinner in the palace.
There was so little that escaped
her.
Il don't want her here" she
said.
She's working at the hospital
now, he said, being very USE
full"
What sort of work ,"
The hardest-the filthiest."
Again the faint shadow of
humor and understanding came
into the eyes. Il suppose Miss
MacDaid saw to that. Well, any
girl from the high school could
be useful"
Shes really doing mans
work. he said, and suddenly add.
ed, She's hated her husband.
She's glad he's dead. She's been
through a good deal since she
came here"
He saw that she was consider
ing all this, but was unwilling to
let him know that she was con.
sidering it. She asked, WHY do
you want her to stay ?" And he
said, 81 don't want her to stay.
| did my best to persuade her to
leave"
Then why are you asking me
to yield 20
That, he knew. was a poser.
For a moment he was silent. Then
ne said, That is a very long
story, Your Highness. 1t began
a very long time ago. There's
nothing between us now
nothing at all save old friendship.
l suppose it's because of that and
because she has lot of charac.
ter"
Character the old lady snort
ed.
He did not give way. Yes.
Your Highness. character. Some
tunes It's been used in the wrong
way but it's character Just the
same"
She liked that. He felt sud-
denly that by some miracle he
would end even by making her
like Edwina.
She said, How does the major
feel about it %
I don't know. I only saw him
Tor moment. We talked about
the supplies he needed"
She looked away from him
thoughtfully and then said. Ask
the major. If he agrees. l will LET
II pass. She can STAY. But T
won't be responsible for anything
mat happens to her l will send
a letter to the viceroy saving 81
that l could not force her To
go" :"
lhen | can count on that ,"
haven't | just told YOU ,"
Ihank you, Your Highness.,
he bowed and made as to leave
Out she said, Il want to thank
you hansome. for all you're do
ing. Raschid and Colonel SINGH
told me that you'd worked an
night. When did you sleep ?"
Two days ago"
Settle this and then go to he'd
tired" very
Ihahk you. Your Highness.'
Tell the major I'm sending Mr.
Bauer to help him. He's a nurse
He'll be of use"
very good, Your Highness
4hen he made an Indian bow.
pressing his fingertips together
ana left her, excited even in bis
WEAKNESS that he had won hair
the battle. In the anteroom he
passed the Russian woman. bow.
ca and said, Bon jour" to her.
out iofmallty seemed idiotic in
such times as these. She seemed
dsiIated' and giving him a half
smile and a penetrating look on.
OF her green cats eyes. she went
past MIN into the maharanee's
chamber.
sne was angry and disappoint.
60 That she had not been with
the maharanee to hear what Ran
some and Her Highness had been
talking of, Now she would have
70 discover from the maharanee
herself drawing it out bit bv bit
with subtle questions and hints
slowly and painfully. because the
oid FOX would know what she wa.
up 10 and make it as difficult as
possible and perhaps never let her
know 1t at all.
When she pushed aside the cur.
tam and came into her presence
The maharanee looked al her and
said News >"
No news"
The old lady ovara