Argosy, Vol. 147, No. 1 — page 141: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

CASTE. ts e did Hunsa get it?” $ he the Bagrees killed the jewel mer- chant, that time the sahib saved Bootea, he stole it from the other decoits, hiding ‘t in his turban, because the Dewan wanted wigs But I don’t want the stone—I can’t it.’ Barlow ex ostulated. ag =: for a gf: a sahib. Nana Sahib will assuredly cause Ajeet to be put to death if Bootea does not return to his de- sire, but the sa/ib can buy his life with the ruby of great price.” « But i it ae stolen would not Nana Sahib demand it, and then kill Ajeet?” “No. It was not his ruby, and to obtain it he will set Ajeet free.” “TH do that, Gulab,” Barlow agreed, and the girl’s hand pushed up from the folds of the blanket to caress his cheek, and her face nestled against his shoulder. The fingers thrilled him, and, though he had made a solemn vow that he would ride like an anchorite, he bent his head and kissed her with a claiming warmth that caused her to cry out as if in misery. Presently a whimsical fancy swayed the girl, and she said, “ Ayub Alli!” Barlow laughed, and answered, “ Bésmiil- lah!” “So, Afghan, riding thus, it is not dis- respect, just that we be of different faith, Hindu and Musselman.” “Tf it were thus we’d not part at Mand- hatta. And as to the faith, thou wouldst become a follower of the prophet.” “Ves, Bootea would. If she could go forever thus she would sacrifice entrance to kailas. But this is heaven; and perhaps Omkar, when I make the sacrifice—I mean offering—will listen to Bootea’s prayers, and—and—”’ “And what, Gulab?” Barlow asked, for the girl turned her face against his breast, and*her voice had smothered. Their thoughts were distracted by a din in front that shattered the solemn hush of the night. There was a thunderous beat of tom-toms, the shrill, rasping screech of conch-shells, and in intervals of subversion of instrumental clamor they could hear _ women’s voices, high-pitched, singing the _ Sohailia—song of joy. Loud cries of “ Jae, * * he a 7) 4 “3% Spt Be gee a ee ere Se, er. ef Fa . ie oe Jae, Omkar!” rose in a chorus 2F0HH dred swelling throats. At a turning around a huge ban yi they saw the flickering flames of U and Barlow knew that plo dding 3 a fT was a large body of pilgrims. = He quickened his horse’s pace, ray Bootea closer to hide her from curious € and as he passed the Hindus he knew - their scowling faces and cries of “1 Kaffir—a barbarian!” that they took for a Musselman, perhaps one of Sindhiz Arabs. , ee At the head of the procession, carrie a platform gayly decorated with g cloths, borne on the shoulders of four was a figure of Ganesha. The obes armed, jovial son of Shiva, bobbing thythmic stride of his carriers, $s el nod his elephant head at the horseman é provingly, wishing him luck, as was — wont of Ganesha. The procession drove upon Barlow’s mind the thought th: were nearing Mandhatta. He rea with a pang of reluctance. It seemed E a matter of just minutes since he had lift Bootea to thé saddle. ee It had hurried the Gulab’s mind, — for at another turn where the road slid the valley, bringing to their no soft perfume of kush-kush grass savor of jamun that grew luxuriant the banks of the Narbudda, the asked: “ The sakib will marry the 3 memsahib who is at the city a *- ae ee fame og © i 56,6 Mes : é ose ee! * es o “Ay Barlow was startled. It was like a ve crying out in the night that shatter blissful dream. ae ‘“Why do you ask that, Gulab?” — ‘“ Because it was said. And the } Baba’s heart will be full of the sahil he is like a god.” ae “Is the Gulab jealous of the Baba?” Barlow asked, mundanely, out of confusion. Bie. “No, sahib, because—becaus jealous of a princess; becau question the ways of the ; been an Englay and he Missie Baba claimed kill her.” oes a tie comicbooks.com Wo Pr Ae ‘