The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1940-04-04
CHAPTER TX

The Maharanee's maid, who
changed Lynn's frock, was one of
those who had been loaned to Aunty
Harding, because she knew English.
IL was impossible not to believe that
the Maharanee already knew more
than the facts about Lynn's break
with her aunt. The maid left the
bedroom. The Maharanee sat by
the veranda window, staring past
the edge of the sun-blind into the
garden. There was hardly a sound
except the purring of the two elec-
trio fans.
Meanwhile, she smoked a ciga-
rette and watched the Maharanee,
who seemed to Lynn to be consider
ing, not what to say, but how to say
what was crowding her thought.
"Maharanee dear, I wish you
wouldn't feel SO upset"
How you must despise u.s."
"Please! l don't. To go away
leaving you thinking anything as un-
true as that would be dreadful.
am not even angry with Rundhia. /"
II am more than angry with
him." said the Maharanee. ST am
ashamed. Lynn, is it true-it has
been told to me-that Mrs. Harding
saw Rundhia kiss you in the gar
den?"
eyes. That, too, was my fault.
I could have prevented it. / knew
Aunty was looking. I did it to annoy
her."
mot because you like Rundhia?"
"Oh, like him. He is the hand
soonest thing / have ever seen, and
amusing. I was playing with fire,
knew that"
The Maharanee's worried face re-
laxed into a wise smile: my dear,
you don't know Rundhia if you think
he won't try it again! Unless-is it
true-it has been told to me-that
Mrs. Harding has decided not to
stay here any longer?"
First train, and first steamer for
home," Lynn answered. Marching
orders. AT the moment, it hurts
her to move and she can't keep
food down. But the doctor can prob
ably fix that And she's brave. She
has an iron will. She told me to
pack my things"
"And will you do it?"
''What in the world else can
do? / haven't a sous marquis to
my name. Aunty gives me pocket
money-no more"
The Maharanee smiled: Eyes.
Lack of money can make even Run
dhia obey But it is limited pow
er. 1t can be broken"
$50 think. But it remains to be
seen," Lynn answered.
"You are of age? You don't look
it, but you are, are you not? If
invite you to remain in the palace
as my guest, will you accept?"
''EoW can II"
1T wouIo give me very great
pleasure to provide you with more
than pocket money. can easily in
vent salaried position. You have
been such a comfort, such a joy to
me, that your companionship would
more than justify a requisition on
His Highness my husbands excheq-
uer. Is it true-it has been told to
me-that Mrs. Harding threatened
tony informant did not clearly un-
derstand-I think the word was dis
inherit?"
"Aunty has threatened that sew
eral times. Today I took her at her
word" Lynn answered. "She will
pay my fare home. After that, I
go on my own way-earn living. 1t
was final"
"Can you legally be left without
money!"
81 suppose So"
"You say you will earn a living.
How? What can you do?"
81 don't know yet"
"For such a beautiful girl as you
are there is always marriage to look
forward to. Is Mrs. Harding not
afraid of what people may say if
she should leave you penniless until
you marry?"
"She isn't afraid of people. 9th
er people are afraid of her. She
will simply say I was impossible.
But | won't accept another cent
from her. Maharanee dear, you
can't guess. Perhaps I'm as un-
grateful and bad as she says. But
I know what | have had TO endure.
No more humiliation from Aunty
Hardingl am through"
Lynn darling, say nothing until
you have thought. You haven't had
time to think. And you are natural
ly prejudiced at the moment, even
though you are so magnanimous and
don't admit it. A greater magma
nimity than yours I have seldom
heard OF. Lynn, the offer of a throne
is not contemplate. Shall write a
note to Mrs. Harding saying you
have accepted my invitation to stay
with us?"