THE LASS OF THE LILYWHITES.

Evening Star, Issue 12889, 11 August 1906, Page 3

THE LASS OF THE LILYWHITES.

A STORY OP THE INDIAN MUTINY. By Major R. Stirun-q, Author of 'The Bonnie Belle of Walt ley,' etc., etc. CHAPTER XVI. THE TLEASTRES OF A CHASE —A COXVENT I'RISOX. " Honor and shame from no condition rise; Act well your part, there all the honor lies." POI'E. Tn tho darkness of the night, when Miss Allington, seated in tho howdah on the elephant's back, emerged from the trees into the open, and in the clear light of the moon behind the broad and mighty river from which she had only been taken some hours before, she leaned over the side of the box-like seat, and in a low tone of voicstud: "Mr Mndpindo, are you taking me back to all the horrors of the river again?" Mndpindo, who was talking along in a thoughtful mood, had to be asked the ques,. tion twice ere he appeared to comprehend that he was being spoken to, then he only answered in the fewest words: "No, miss, we. cross to the other side." " Then, in that case, I hope you have sure friends oyer there." "Oh, yes. mils, sure friends. You will b> well taken care of." "I am so glad ; but fear T could not face •such scenes again," she replied. "Yes, you are escaping from the tiger's den : be thankful." "Ob, I am thankful to you. sir."' "Not to me, surely. Can anyone be thankful that there is*a devil in existence'.' Mind, I am the > pit it of evil here." By this time the bank of the Ganges was reached, and. with a motion of the band, Mudpindo directed the driver to cross. A> the elephant entered the water ho caugh" hold of the fore-part of the howdah. The animal found bottom all the way, but the priest had to swim the most of it. IVr haps the fifteen minutes of a cold bath die him good, at least he appeared to enjoy it for, on emerging on the other side, ho as sumed quite a happy mood, and addressing Miss Allington again, s:iid : "Tn an hour' time I hope to introduce you to and plac< vou under the protection of the greatest lad} in India. I mean Amulian, the favorit

wife of the Rajah of Bursham." Again Miss Allington thanked him, for rhe had heard of the Rajah's unswerving loyalty. It was past midnight when the party entered an open space, at the end of which a miall encampment was formed. Just as the party came to the opening two lancers galloped forward out of the shadow of the trees, their stalwart hearing, long flowing beards, and ample turlwns pointing them out as natives of the hill districts. Their challenge was answered by Mudpindo, who asked for the Ru>aldhar. The guard appeared to know Mudpindo. for they conducted him and his charge to the tent of the Commandant without further question. In the right foreground was pitched this important individual's tent—a square mat- j quee, divided into four apartments, 'each draped in different colored hangings, with • rich carpets on the floor. The two side ;ntrances were optn, the cool night air being allowed to filter through fancy-painted screens, made of bamboo fibres. On a mat, brilliant with poppy flowers, spread out in the passage, sat the Captain, while a sentinel walked backward and forward across the front entrance, who halted the party | when twenty yards off, demanding to know j for what reason they had come. The i leader of the outpost explained that Fakir Mudpindo wished to speak with the Rusaldlar. The sentinel on hearing this called in a low tone: "Are you there, Fakir Mudjpindo?" Being answered in the affirmative, he again asked if he wished to speak with the Captain. On being informed that was ! to, the soldier gently tapped a brass gong j )hree times. The sound was still humming I through the night air, when the query come j in a sharp voice: "What is it, sentry''" ! "Fakir Mudpindo wishes to speak with j the Rusaldhar. Sahib," the sentry said. j After a private interview between the officer and Mudpindo, the former struck a silver gong, and in a, few minutes a tinkling sound some fifty yards away was. heard in reply. A little later a male servant, dvesfed in spotless white, waited on the officer in charge. "Ah, Maloon," said the Captain, "1 tvould .not dare to disturb the camp at this hour, but Fakir Mudpindo appears privileged, and urges that he may be allowed lo speak for a. moment with the Rhanee Amulian, the beautiful." "'You kuow, Rusaldha.r, thai cannot be." replied Maloon. " Amulian Rhanee, of Bursham, only hears the words of our mighty prince, the glorious Rajah."' Miidpindo now stepped forward, and placing the jalms of his hands on his brow bowed down until they touched the ground, muttering, as he did so.- "Salaam, salaam, good Maloon. Here is a token," taking a small box from beneath his cloak, "if the

beautiful Khanee will look upon it she may hear the prayer of the poor Fakir Mudpindo." Then, straightening himself up, he handed the box to Maloon, who looked if. over, then said: " It, will he shown to (he Rhanee, and she will decide." Nearly ten minutes elapsed ere any indication of a. movement in the tent.; further on was shown, then the tinkling of :> golden bell was heard, and Maloon, with two others, guided the Fakir and Miss Ellington to two mats, placed at a harrier | ten yards in front of the principal tent, from which a flood of light ehone. like a halo, aTound a heavenly-veiled female figure seated on a divan.' " Speak now, Fakir," said Maloon. " and the Rhanee Amulian, the beautiful, will i bear." _ j Mudpindo, in a quiet tone, murmured J bis request, then a sweet female voice an- I 'wered: " Fakir Mudpindo. we will do as | thou wish. Maloon. take the lady to the visitors' tent, and see that proper attention be given to her." Then, after a pause, the words came in English: " Marsden GarToch, is this diabolic work to be carried out to the bitter end'.' Have you no mercy for the countrymen of your father? It is with the utmost horror I hear of your daily work. Oh, that I could give a protecting care to my poor countrymen and women at Cawnpore. If I had known ten days ago what I know now, it would not have, been five hundred soldiers that I would have taken with me, but five thousand, to clear away the murdering crew. Vain regret! Yet you, Manden Garroch, might quench in your swtl that blood hunger, and extend a helping hand to the helpless Europeans." " Salaam, thou light of the morning, the beautiful Rhahce." It was in this manner Shis strange man chose to address the lady. " What would the Rajah of Mursham say to this beautiful lady, if she. with five thousand men, supported the cause he himself was opposing? As for Cawnpore, I am now like the boy who turned on the water to the millwheel. Although I was willing —which I am not—l could not stop it. The misguided wretches are about to place themselves at the mercy of the tiger of Bengal, the bloody Nana, who will not be prevented from wreaking his vengeance upon them ; and as to my kindness for the young lady, I have a reason for that. f)ood-bye for the present, bright star. I most away, as I have other duties to perform ere morning. .Worn oat and suffering from sun fever, Miss AUington was led into the visitors' tent, where a female servant took her in charge. She had at ]sei reached a haven of safety. A long right's rest banished her bodily weakness, but only revived her fears for £he safety of the man she loved Next day she was ushered into the presence of the Rhanee, who, to her surprise, she discovered to be a European, if not an English woman. The Rhanee expressed hor regret that Miss Aflington bad been so roughly treated in the country, but assured her she was now safe, and that she would protect her until these troublous times were past. At fight o'clock on the following morning the finance's camp was broken up, the mode °f travelling being most imposing and

luxurious. As early as six o'clock one-half | of the baggage, escorted by two hundred and fifty mounted troopers, started for the next halting-place. After tlic Rhanec had breakfasted at eight, her favorite elephant with silver-mounted howdah and silk canopy, was brought to the tent dcov and made to kneel down beside a raised stage, when the beautiful Amulian seated herself in the back end of tho howdah', pointing to the front seat for Miss Allington. Maloon closing the door and seating himself behind bis mistress. Off they went at a good trot, escorted bv a'hundred and fifty horsemen, while the "other hundred looked after the packing of the remaining half of the camp and conveyed it two -stages, each half going doubles stages in turn, allowing the Uhaiiee to step out of one and into the other with the very least fatigue. During the first day's march Miss Allington's thoughts were taken up in speculating about the woman who sat opposite her with the thick veil on her face. Well she knew that a keen pair of eyes were watching her every movement, and she kept wondering who this woman was and what was her history.

With snatches of conversation during the twelve davs' march the ladies seemed to enter into each other's confidences, yet, it was easilv noticeable that both had something hid away deep down withm the soul that they wished the other not to know. For days they occupied the same seats in the howdah on the elephant's back while thev traversed the most beautiful districts 'in the North-west Provinces, chatting as only women can. The rich autumn" harvest was gathered in, and the villagers, although following their usual occupations, seemed excited. They looked with suspicion on everyone passing, but the Rhanee's guard was too strong to be interfered with, and she had given strict orders to the Rusaldhar that no one was to be allowed to visit the camp, and no leave was to be granted to any member of the party. He also was to report to her through Maloon every morning and evening. "let, with all the care and worry, it was good to be journeying along, the air was so sweet with the scent of the mango, guava, and tamarind, temptingly ripening by the roadside. There was real danger while passing through the cities, for in these i the rebel mutineers were now congre-

gated. They went prowling around the j country, and no small party was safe, but to the "Beautiful Rhanee" they showed the. utmost deference, for it was understood that the Rajah was a supporter of the rebellion. SLill. she would not allow any mixing with her following. On the' ninth day the camp was pitched on the plain of Madatanda, just outside the jungle, and all night the howling of the tiger, the, leopard, and the hyena was heard. As they approached the country over which the Rajah ruled with despotic power, the Rhanee became more reserved, and seldom or ever addressed her companion. As they passed northwards the towering Himalayas -came plainly into view, the rugged giants rising from the swampy level appearing as a boundary wall beyond which man may not pass. At length Miss Arlington ventured to ask : "' Dear Rhanee, through which of these valleys do we pass into Bursham territory'.'" At her words the Rhanee appeared to rouse herself from her reverie, and said : " We enter the Bursham country by that long vallev stretching far awav to the i left."

After a long pause, the Rhanee bent forward, and, laying a hand on her companion's arm and looking straight into her face, added : "My child, I wish you were not so beautiful."' ''Surely you who are the beauty of the beautiful do not envy me any good looks I may possess," answered the girl. "It is not that. dear. You love this Mr Denholni. Is he a good man'.'" , "Yes," was the quiet reply. ! " Then let me assure you that he is safe, and that no harm will befall him, and that ere long you will meet." "Do you think the Fakir will keep' his promise ? I do not know his reason for not putting him under your protecting care like myself/' said Miss Allington, in anxious tones. , *" '"' I " But I know," the Rhanee replied ; I "and you may rest assured that Mr Denholm is safe." j " Then may I ask you why you regret I my good looks.'' ' ' ' " j "Dear Miss Allington. I do not regret that you are a beautiful woman. 1 just thought that, under the present cLrc'um- '. stances, perhaps it would have been as well if you were not so sweet." and as she uttered the word •"sweet," Amulian caught her companion in her arms and kissed her. Her thoughts had reverted to her country and to the Raja.h, her husband. She understood his love for pretty women, and by what means she could keep the girl from his view, and not tempt him, was what she had to consider. She could not reveal this to her companion, as it would onlv have crca.ted distrust in her mind and rendered her unhappy. She would act the hold part she had always done, and protect her by cvctv means in her power, but she had yet to learn to what length men will go when there is a lovely girl in the question. On the banks of the broad Surda the camp was pitched that night. No longer was her guard divided—they now moved in one compact body. Orders were then issued that they would rest on the following day. When so near the boundary of he.r country Amulian was not over-desirous jof getting home. On the following moniI ing breakfast was barely over ere the order went round that the Rhanee wished two hundred men to form a hunting party. By nine o'clock more than the number required were formed up in front of the camping ground, the Rhanee and Miss | Allington, seated in the howdah, being i placed in the centre of the line. The ! Rusaldhar inspected the ladies' rifles to see if they were in perfect order, then the horsemen opened out, forming a long line to the right and left. In this order they approached the forest. The Captain's horse now stood still, with feet spread out, neck and head extended, all in a tremble. No one for a moment could sec the cause, till Miss Allington's quick eye detected a monster high up on the fork of a tree, hanging over towards the rider. Her rifle was soon at the shnnl-

dcr, and with a ringing report a bullet went, whizzing, and in ;i Feeond or two a huge tree serpent, twentv-six foot in length, and with a girth of body equal to that of ;i man, unwound himself from tlic tree, and lay wriggling on the: ground tuitil despatched. The young lady w;is : now the heroine of the party, the men 1 extolling her skill. Rlianee only said : ' '".May you conquer every ill that may cross your path as you have done this ' great serpent. Tt is a good oircn." "Oh, T do not believe in omens, dear Rhauec ; but I am glad my aim was so " true. I have long been accustomed to ; use a rifle." " Well, dear. I do,'' Aimilian replied. l " I have known eases that pointed to r either success or failure." > The line being reformed, the hunt was continued, and by the afternoon the bap e contained two tigers, quite a number of j f deer, a hop, ami some water-fowls. Ho- ' e tween hunting and other amusement, the 0 party spent ten days in idleness and sport. e It was a glorious time for the escort, so ' much pleasure and pastime, for the Rhaj nee, either after the chase or displays of . strength and feats of arms, had always a list of rewards to present, by such kindly acts endearing the soldiers to her person. ,' On the morning of the eighth day of ' the sojourn in the jungle, Amulian, in some agitation, entered the tent of 'Miss •j Allington. '"'Now;, my dear," she said, " only another day's march and we must r separate. Therefore we must understand each other. Knowing the chaTncter of '" the natives and the present condition of ! ' the country as I do. T think it would be '* inadvisable in us going to the palace together." ■** " Oh, just as yon think best,"" agreed d the other. s "Well, dear, do yon think you could r stand a month or two in quiet seclusion?'* & "Indeed, that I could, dear Rhance. IC even with joy." ! f ' j "Then, since yon agree to my proposal, d we will start 10-niuhl for 3-our home." •

At midnight the moon shone clear in the winding pathway loading to the Maiden Tower, and no "noise was heard save that of the babbling stream as an elephant with two ladies seated in a howdah passed quickly on. At three in the morning a summons was heard at tho entrance to the lone house. The old crone within muttered : " Who can this be now ? His two aunts, along with myself, his fifteen sisters, and eight daughters arc all here. Surely ho hasn't another poor maiden relative to confine for life." The knocking sounded louder than before. " Coming coming," she shouted. "Who asks admittance here?" "Amulian, Rhanee of Bursham," was the answer. "She can't enter here, then," cried a feeble treble voice. •' She comes to place in your care the maiden Allington. Open!" "If a maiden, we agree. For ever she must stay." " She agrees: open and let her in," Amulian ordered. *' Let her answer for herself, Rhanee. ' No ordering here by wife or mother," was the response. " I agree ; let me enter, maiden matron," said the girl softly. " Well, if that is your wish, young maiden, catch tho golden bar," and as she spoko a, bright knob of gold protruded from the wall. Miss Allington moved forward to touch it, when Amulian caught her hand. " Stay one moment," she cried; "do not tour'h it until wo have said our adieus." Then, folding her arms around the young girl, she pressed her to her heart, saying: "Bo not afraid ; wait patiently until quiet returns'; then if 1 have power I shall relieve you." " I know you will," the girl assented. " I believe you ; T have faith in you. You are doing this for the best, and my protection." " God bless you for that." Amulian whispered. " May He always guide you. Goodi bye, dear girl," and then, loosing her liand, | she stepped back a pace. Miss Allington, crying " Good-bye, dear

now grasped the golden bar, and as sue did so the stone upon which she stood and a section of the wall began to revolve, till, making a completo turn, it placed Miss Allington inside. Amulian looked on for a second, and muttering : " Another living entombment; I pray to God I may be enabled to raise her from the dead,", she hastily quitted the spot. f This Maiden Tower of Bursham Was built by the father of the present Rajah for the purpose of keeping peace with the British. Bursham was not under the Com-, pany's rule, but as it adjoined its territory, the old Rajah, knowing the grasping greed of the Company, and being desirous of giving no pretext for quarrel, when it became a crime to strangle new-born female babes, he submitted to the terror of the British law by a simple mode of evasion, and in a I deep, gloomy glen about fifty miles from S his capital he built this tower, or rather. living 'tomb, for the unfortunate female offspring. The only approach to it was a narrow causeway, at the end of which was a high wall with no apparent door. This was the* road to the living charnel-house, no intending inmates to the tower being allowed to traverse it. Food and other necessaries were raised by a hoist once a week from the bottom of tho cliff on tower stood. With the cruel cunning of his race he made it a rule that tho oldest maid should be governor, and the next two warders, thus ensuring vigilant caro of the younger ones, and it was also well known that the place was guarded with diabobcal mecha.nism against escape 1 from the inside. Such was the prison in j which Miss Allington was immured. (To be continued.)