Coulee City dispatch. [volume] (Coulee City, Wash.) 19??-19??, 1940-03-28
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dhia, speak like man! There was
promised"
Rundhia stared at his feet. He
had the grace to speak as if he were
ashamed. He almost mumbled: II
release her from the promise"
Norwood looked at Lynn steadily:
'Do you accept that?"
''No l refuse. Is this your ven
geance? It's cruel./ Doesn't the re-
traction satisfy your"
Norwood smiled at Lynn and
made a reassuring gesture. Run
dhia stared; he looked astonished.
The Maharanee stood up. Norwood
spoke:
Lynn, did Rundhia tell you that
l tore up your letter? He lied. Your
aunt gave it to me less than an hour
ago. 1t reached her by mistake in
the wrong envelope"
IT confirm that" said the Resi-
dent
Lynn stood up and waited for Rum
dhia to speak. He didn't.
s'Rundhia," she said, "did you
hear that?" Then, turning: s'Thank
you, Captain Norwood"
"Just misunderstanding" Nor
wood answered. 81 will explain it
later"
Lynn shook her head. Her eyes
met his but she made no reply. She
left the room by the door behind
the screen. The Maharanee followed
her. Silence.
The Resident wiped his face with
the handkerchief: 'Steady, Nor
wood" he said. STEADY" He spoke
aloud to the Maharajah:
"Does Your Highess wish"
''I wish for tranquility! do not
care to know any more!"
Garry on!" said the Resident.
Careful"
Norwood raised the goblet, this
time in his right hand: 'You don't
deserve this, Rundhia. You're a
BLACKBOARD. He glanced at the Res
ident: "You agree, sir?"
The Resident nodded. The Ma
harajah stared, fascinated. Norwood
spilled the contents of the goblet
on the floor.
The Maharajah turned to Run
dhia:
leave the room. Never return"
Rundhia moved toward the door
behind the screen, but the Resident
Jumped out of his chair. Rundhia
began to hurry. Norwood was too
quick. He showed the screen in
Rundhia's way. It banged against
the door and the noise almost made
the Maharajah scream.
"Your Highness," said the Resi-
dent, Gin Prince Rundhia's presence,
take this opportunity to inform
YOU that have written to His Maj
esty's advisers, strongly recon-
mending them to exercise their veto
in the matter of Prince Rundhia's
succession to the throne of Kadur."
"You have already written?"
81 have mailed the letter."
81 resign" said Rundhia sullenly.
"You and your veto may 60 to the
devil"
"May l speak to Your Highness
alone?" asked the Resident.
The Maharajah scowled at Run
dhia: go out that way!" He point
ed to the door into the anteroom.
Rundhia walked out. Norwood fol-
lowed. He overlook Rundhia at the
head of the stairs, and Rundhia
turned about and faced him:
IT sincerely regret" he re-
marked, looking straight into Nor
woods eyes, "that the men who
fired at you, missed"
Eyes, you had rotten luck, Run
dhia. What will you do-go to Eu-
rope? The Riviera? That's crowded
with might-have-beens who insisted
on hitting below the belt. D'you
know, Rundhia, if had even sus-
pected you Of having put one over
on Lynn Harding, would have let
you hang. You know, they hang
even princes who play at your
game" He laughed. ''No, Run
dhia, no. You will walk ahead of me
down the stairs. l know that trick. !"
ITO BE CONTINUED)