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The Seaforth News, 1934-11-29, Page 6PAGE SIX. THE SEAFORTH NEWS THURSDAY, NOV. 39, 1934 Shastree other Brahmuns, who, attracted by the news of Tara's learning had come to hear her read and recite what she knew, she had acquitted herself with favorable impressions upon all. But the woman's hatred of the girl's beau'ty; and her ascetic austerity, which would have made Tara like herself, could not be controlled; and, larder the influence of the S'has!tree, was likely- to have full scope. !But Wft•tul Shastree could not res- train himself; and, unable to get speech of the master and ntisftress of the house, Pudma Bye was resorted to -a willing �' communicator of all thet she herself .thought, all that she had said and argued, and all that she had heard of Tara's sojourn with the im- pure Mussultnans As for herself, she did not, she said, believe Tara's story of _Moro Trimmmul's outrage; she, on the contrary, believed what he said, that k was a meritorious attempt to withdraw her from a scandalous pos- ition -scandalous alike to herself and to the faith. The Shastree's mind was at once made up as to his course. There had been several offensive current stories in regard to young widows, ,and not without reason: and they had escap- ed his punishment. This at least was sure -the Lewy dare not deny, and. could not evade his power: and if Tara appealed to the Rajah himself, it would be an a point of caste dis- cipline with whom he -(Rajah though he was -would not Clare to interfere. "Let us hear her first," he said to the lady-, as having listened to Pled - ma Bye's account of Tara, he sat in the outer verandah of the house the horning after their arrival, while Ta- ra was within; "wilt thou call her, daughter? we should not judge un- heard." Woo: Tara's heart failed Iter sadly when Pudma called her, She clung utatinctively, trembling as she saw the shastree sitting without, and pro- tested ro-to ted against meeting him. `°He is a stranger to me; what have I to do with him " she said. "Let me go away for •I ant not his to be questioned, but the goddess' at Tooljapoor." Go," whispered Amba Bye to her; he is all powerful here -over the Ra- jah, over my husband, over all. Go, tell him the truth, I will not leave thee. Go, Tara." "Wilt thou now screen her, sister?" cried Pudma Bye in a shrill voice, and stretching out her skinny bare arm, to Tara. '"le her shame to be our shame -use that have no spot or stain upon us? Tf thou art bewitched, I should not be exposed to this! Conte, girl; it is pollution to touch thee - nevertheless, come, else I will drag thee to hint." "'Ga!" cried iA\ntba, frightened at the other's voice of threat and scorn combined, di which she had had long and sad experience. "I dare not keep thee now, -she is terrible. Go, Tara, and ausu'er what they ask thee. Say the truth and the goddess will hear thee, 0, that my lard were herel. 0, that he were here!" and she sat ciowu, sobbing and wringing her hands helplessly. "Come," cried 'Pudnta, as, seizing Tara by the aro, she pulled her for- ward. '•Art thou a child, to be asham- ed, -.thou that art a \ioorlee?" Tara's limps trembled so that 'be could hardly move. .She prayed silently to the goddess, "I am net false to thee yet. let me not be tried more than I ran bear. I will L'o, even to death, but not to theme, 'Nut to shame! .Let inc go, lady." she continued to Padura Bye, "I will fel- ;ow thee." She did so, bending down submiss- ively before the shastree, stood up with her hands joined in an attitude of supplication. For a moment the stern man's features relaxed into an expression almost of kindness, cer- tainly o'i extreme interest. The youth of the girl, her gentle grace, the sad but beautiful expression of her face - above all its purity of expression - sent conviction to his heart that there was no room for calumny, none even for suspicion. !Pudma caw the hesitation, and, herself resolute, resumed rapidly and passionately- "Is that a figure to be a widow and a \foorlee-that thing with a golden zone and necklaces and ear -rings and a silken garment like a harlot? Is that a widow who daily combs her hair, braids it, puts sweet flowers and oils into it, decking it for a lover? 0 She- stree, is that what a virtuous widow should be Is that a condition df arts- tcrc privation whereby to inherit tee life eternal?" The Shastree's features changed rapidly. "It cannot he," he .said; "such' adornment and beauty is not of a virt- uous woman. No!w I believe thee, sis- ter, and ,thy brother must he spolcen to. He cannot keep a thing so offen- sive in his house, and be among us." "Hear me, my lord, said Tara ap- pealing to him piteously. "I am pure --II have done no evil -+I ant an orph- an and a Moorlee, bet not as others; such as I am, the holy Bhartee ;Stva- n ti, whom have served hitherto„ hath made me, Write to him if you tlta;t her face could not he seen and wit4--=-" 'Wth'at_is this?" said 'Govind Rao, Who entered at the moment, interr- upting her; "hat art thou asking of. her friend? Let her alone, she is my care," returned the other, rising, '91 thou art satisfied to have one like that retraining in thy house, the !Swami must '1een'ow of it, and there will be .a ,fine, and shame ,we'll come to thee among the council. If she be a widow, let her be treated as widows shou'ld be le ,=--" „• t odes •lee of the s am al:[�oot 1fIg as ye call me" said Tara interposing, began is 'ceremony herself, which ,was 'strangely 'familiar; and as Tara emit- ed torned her ihe'ad for as 'instant, 'see saw ehal It 'was 'Gunge, and that s'he, her- self was' recognized. !Gunga clapped her hands 'with joy. "At 'last," she •cried excitedly, "at last ! See,. T am worshipping for the victory wh'ic'h he ihas gained by this time. !Hush! thou wilt see Zyna here ,presently. Moro will bring her cap- tive; then ether well be three with hint -1, and thou, and she. Ilia, Ila, hal a merry three, girl; Dost thou Ta ea ?"ran e hear, 0 lataBut 's'ome st g chill had struck at Tara's heart, and, "I am already shameless in your eyes sinking down on the ,floor, tor a time attd no widow: let me go. No Moor- ( site was insensible, lee is asked what at she does, or what she wears. The goddess will not have those near her who are disfigured, and I c'anno't break the vow iI Macle. to her; she .would destroy me." !Panti'n'g and excited, flushed w'rbh the desperation of her speech, Tara stood' erect, with her eyes flashing, her glowing beauty exciting the in- voluntary admiration of the menu and the virulent hatred of the woman who eat beside ,the'nt. "See, brother," cried IPud'nta Bye, "look at the witch -look at her glow- ing eyes. It was by these shameless eyes that she won men's hearts at •Tooljapoor. Beware! beware of your- selves, lest ye too .fall! Ab!" she con- tinued with a scream, "put her away -kill her; but let her not go--Brah- mun as she is -to the ,cow -slayer e," "Peace," said her brother; "why this spite, Pudma? what hath she done to thee? Peace, and begone to the inner rooms. Begone!" he cried in a louder voice and stamping his foot, "begone! Dost thou not hear?" "I hear" she replied doggedly; "but I will not go, unless the Shae'ree bid etc, Choose nota• between us: send me nut of thy hoose to thy sltatne, and beep her, to thy worse shame; or send her away. There can be 110 corn - promise between good and evil, shame and dishonor." "She speaks ,truly, friend," said the ,Shastree mildly. "It 'must be done." Tara had not entirely lost the pre- sence of mind which she naturally pos-vssed, though she found it fail- ing rapidly. "Put me to the .proof," site said •quickly "the proof. Sf there be a (temple 'here; let me sit in it !for a night ,and a clay. Ye 'can watch Inc, too, there. Ye can kill inc if ye please, sirs; better ye did so, for 'I ant friend- less," "'Not so," cried the widow; "thou bat friends, Tars, many and power- ful -myself tete greatest of all; but - not as thou art. Chooser" "I have ,chosen, lady," said the girl sadly. 'Take pie to the temple now - .even now, -and leave me there A vessel o'f water is enough, and a wo- man to watch me et night, if ye will not watch yourselves. I have already eaten, and want no 'food." ,"It is some ,device, brother," said iPucliera suspiciously; "sane .device to 'fly, to escape, or—" "He smiled and .shook his 'head. `It requires a braver heart than a girl's to face the mountain -paths alone at night among the bears and panther,, aster, and nought but a bird could escape the Irrecipices. Why these tut- jnwt suspicions? Art thou ready Tara? If so, follow enc, and thou ton, Shas- tree; we will settle this matter at once. There is no one now in the !Rajahs temple He has already paid his devotions, and is preparing to meet the Khan." " r ant ready," she replied. Then she turned to em brace Amba Bye, who now metered sobbing, and fell upon her neck, wake! ,She is not dead, sir, is she?" "I will come to thee by--incl-by," continued the girl dreamily, pushing salt whispered. "It i$ but a step, and away Tara's hair from :her face, 'anti looking into her eyes: "she does n'ot answer. 0, speak to !her!" "No, she is alive," replied the Brah- mull, feeling her hand and forehead. "'Wait, •a will bring scute water." "Would she were dead -,dead ere Ile came," muttered to herself. ' "He, will not spare her now -'ah mel not now: and in the heat and confusion of victory, who will care for ,her? All those she loved last, too, are dead all gone -and that 'fairboy with the rest! Ah me, 'better she died! Tara, drink! here is 'water!" This decided them. A hurried was kind to her, and continually re change of clothes, some coarse germ-Lnewed his offers of assistance and ents thrown over them, and the poo protection; but from his sister, the ice being led within tate enclosure. widow Pudma Bye, Tara had to en - the ladies were lifted on them and car- dere insult and ill -usage, front which reed out. 0, to see the stupid misery he Envoy's wife was unable to save of those women! Hitherto secluded, her. Few, indeed, in ,the house, chose they could understand nothing; they to risk the bitterness of Pudtna's had no power to resist; and why they tongue, or the virulence of her spite. should he taken out among men, when Her brother even feared her and as - the shouts and screams of the camp oiled her as much as possible, were growing wilder every moment. Tara's presence in the family could they could not understand. So tney not be kept a secret. The .fact of a wrung their hands in speechless ter- widow existing there who wore silk- ier. "Cone with the ladies, Shere en garments and jewels, and who had ii'.naa ' cried Lukshmun; "come, save not her head shaved, was an infringe- hy;ell ‘,1,1 man!" ntent of caste discipline which re - No, he replied sad;y: "my time attired prompt investigation; and as is come. and the sherbet of death will the Envoy arrived at the fort, the "e sweet, Go thou, and all of ye Who Shastree betook himself to Padilla Bye, as well to receive the donations which were his due since she had been absent, as to make inquiry. The Envoy himself was absent at the Rajah's Kucheri. Amha Bye was busy arranging her house alter her long absence, and Tara was assist- ing her with an alacrity and intellig- ence which at once surprised and gra- tified her. On her own part, the wor- thy good natured dame was not slow in evincing wtertn affection: which had arisen out Of the helpless condi- tion of Tara on the one hated, and the loviug confidence which she display- ed on the first evening of their com- panionship. 'Poor Tara! could she deny herself the secret contemplation of the noble youth, who. she knew, was her laver? Could she forget the sweet compan- ionship of ;Zyn'a, ,the rough but lov- ing caresses of the Khan's wife, and the hearty greeting of the Khan him- self It was impossible, and yet all these were in direct antagonism with her own teaching, with the people of her own faith. What had she been taught to believe, but that Brahntuns were the gods of the earth -divine emanations, incapable of sin, and only resting here for a while in expiation of the errors of former births, till they were absorbed again into divin- ity, as a drop of rain water in the sea or as the sparks 'falling back into ,the fire. She bereeif was a lirahmun of the hirhest rank and caste: the very idea f a \Ittssttlman should have been ab- herrent and repellant to her. Was it u Alas, no. She, an orphan a" she believed •ved herself, had felt her sorrow „shed and her honour powerfully protected: she had been received into loving communion with a noble fam- ily: she could not help contrasting their soft polished manners with the rude homely speech and rough de- meanor of those with whom she now was -far ruder among those moun- tains than ever among the people of her own town. Again and far above all, that por- tion of the old old story which she had heard and believed, when she knew herself .to be beloved, would not be forgotten.. It lay at her heart, rank- ling sometimes and chafing, because su impossible -and again was rem- embered in a sweet confidence which, though more impossible, was yet in- expressibly soothing. "He will rem- ember me -he now thinks of me," she would say to herself in the lonely night, when ofttintee a bitter cry was wrung front iter, which no one knew oe; "and he would take me away if he could -ah, yes, he would have done it if he could." !From the first moment antipathy seas conceives) against Tara by Pud- ma !Bye, that virtuous lady had con- tinued to brood over it with increas- ing dislike to her. She had tried to excite her brother to abhorrence for Tara's condition; and failing that, in Amba Bye, with whom she had as little success. Both believed Tara to be a priestess of the goddess whom they feared. The Envoy had tested her knowledge of sacred Books, which was nearly equal to his owti, for he clid not pretend, he said, to be a -echo \Personally, Govind 'Rao, the Envoy` lar; and in several disputatious with ear," he a bled to those who had gathered with the women. 'Quick !I ,- el:uek c -e iswill he too date:' lite thuutc of "Her liar, Mahe.- . deo!" were already mingling on the :mines ines of the camp with the battle - cries. of the 'Moslems, who had rallied in small parties. attd the flood of at- tack was there stayed 'for a little: this saved the fugitives. Close by the en- closure of tent walls ran the rivulet,, rind its banks were high and covered nith brushwood. on the sides, which concealed the party. Lsikshmue, with a true freeboater'c instinct, led Zyna's pony down the 'bank, accompanied by some of the terrified women -serv- ants, and Lurlee followed, So they proceeded at a rapid pace clown the stream, meeting no one, and conceal- • ed from view. They heard the hideous din of shouts, screams, and shots increase beind them, but it gradually softened with distance, and iia a little time Lukshmun turned up the sandy bed of a` tributary brook, on the sides di which the jungle was thicker, while :he bed was narrower and more tort- uous; and, bidding every one tread only in the shallow strewn which flowed in the midst, in order to afford eo traces of footsteps, he hurried on, still leading -!_yea's potty by the bridle. "Fear not, lady," he said con- fidenrly,--the worst is past, and !God will he merciful: fear not," -In the camp there was but short resistance.. On the one hand, tete des- ;•crate valour of :he mountain- sold- iera the certainty of plunder, revenge .i.,•r Tr ljap r.. and the example of Moro Trion .t! and otter der-: and •n tete other, the helples ganized, bewildered lanes before ihetn, rendered the a sanit irresist- ible. The first attacking bodies were succeeded by mass upon mals of. fresh assailants from ail quarte and these successive tides of men surged resistlessly across the camp, over- whelming aid, When Moro Trimmnl and his party reached the Khan's tents, they found ne one. The tracks of the ponies, where they bad descended the bank, were, however, visible, and were tak- en up by his followers, who dashed forward like bloodhounds on a scent, "Away after them, Kakrey!" cried the 'Brahntun to a subordinate offic- er. "Thou are a better tracker than I. Bring them to me, -then," he added to himself, •"Fazil Khan, we will see who wins the ga'tne,-you or I," CHAPTER !LXXIX, The ambassador's family with whom Tara had received protection, had arrived at Pertbgurh the .clay before the events related in the last chapter. At Wye some traces of her mother's family, the ':Durpey's, had been found, but they were now resid- ing at or neer Poona: it would re- quire several days to communicate with them; and a much longer period for then, or any one nt them, to ,came for Tara and take her away. IMean'wh'ile, therefore, there was no resource but to stay where she was, and to eat'dume what was daily becom- ing more and more insup'po'rta'hie. CIHIAIPTEiR LXXX IGunga's appearance is easily ex- plained, lOn his .arrival at ;Pertabgur.h 'Moro Trinimtil ;had 'sent to be'in'g up some of the Rajah's Het areas from the 'Colman, the strati below the mountains next bhe sea, and. 'he had !besought the .post of honour in the en'suin'g attack: upon the 'Mtrsstiiman 'camp, which 'ha'd been granted to him. In this he had two motive's: the an'e, !personal d!s!tin!ction, and the de- sire of retaliation for 'Tootljctpo'or, •which was shared 'contutioily with all Brahmans; and secondly, ,and prob- ably most 'urgent, the desire of re- venge upon Razil Khan, and; if pos- sible, the capture of his sister and family. That either Afteol 'Khan or his son would survive the !fight, or fit they escaped ',dealeh, and were cap- tured, that they would be spared. 10f the !Rajah`s intentions in regard ,to the Khan, he had no idea; and when Malo.osray and Palkur were with their prince on the night preced- ing the Khan's visit to the fort, Moro Ttiiptinul nags in ,company with his own men, pla'ciug theta in positions thev lits read • toobey the sig- nal t oo y y s g nal which had been communicated to hint. 'Gunge, therefore, had been sent .on to tike fort under charge of his servants, and directed not only to have the :rouse swept and prepared, but, as the guns were tied front the fort, to offer sacrifice ,for hint in the temple, and await his 'coming.. "Dost thou +know Tier?" asked the 13rahmun o'f tGunga, when he Beard her speak to Tara, and observed the effect of cher address. "Know her? -Yes, \Ialtaraj," re- turned !Gunga, "she is a Leforlee of 'the temple at Tooljapoo', and I ata an- other,-that's nother; that's why I 'kn'oty 'her." "I,t is curious," said the man, mus- ing. '"There, raise her up till my ,wefe conies; we have had ••charge of her given to us, and she is to watch here. .Did ,she ever prophesy?" "She did once," replied "Gunge, "when she was made a Mooelee; but not afterwards. She is only half a one at heart, and that's why 'trouble fol- lows 'her." "'What .trouble?" esker the man. ''O, her father and mother are dead, killed in the fight at Tool1a- poor, and she is here, among strang- ers, with no one to help her; is not that trouble enough, Maharaj? re- plied the girl. "And she is so beauti- ful, too; they say she is a witch, and steals men's Hearts and throws then away; but 2 don't know that she i. -she is only beautiful -look at her." ".','h, that's the worst 1 have heard yet," said the matt, musing. "Yes, but she is pure, quite pure, sir," retuened Gunga earnestly, "not like me and the rest of us! and we envied her, and I hated her; but I don't hate her now, and when she wakes I will tell her ,so. Tara, Tara! PROFESSIONAL CARDS Medical DIR..E, A. M'eMAST'ER,-Graduate df the lacufty of Medicine, Univers- ity of Toronto, and of the New York Post Graduate School and 'Hospital. Member of the College of Physicians and !Surgeon's of Ontario, Office c High 'street. Phone V. DR. GILBERT C. J•ARROTT Graduate of Faculty of Medicine, Un- iversity of Western Ontario. Member of College of Physicians and Surgeons Of Ontario. Office 413 Goderieh S!a, West. Phone V. Hours 24.30 play 7.30-900 p.m. Other )hours by appoint. m'em!t. Successor to Dr. Chas. Mackay, DIR. H. HUGH ROSS, -Amides and Surgeon. Late of London Her p'ital, London, E'nglan'd, Spooled attention to diseases of the eye, nae nose and throat. Office and serf- denim etaden'ce behind Dominion Bank. ORlma ercial Hotel, 'Seaforth, 3r4 Monday en Phone No. 5; Residence Phone 1G . DR. F. J. E!UIRIROIWS, Seaforth. Office and residence, Goderic'h ,treat, • east of the United Church. Concede for the County of Huron. Teiepharo No, 46, DR. F. J. R. FORSTER-Eye, Ran Nose and Throat. Graduate in Mete - eine, University of Toronto 1$1. Late Assistant New York Ophthal- mic and Aural Institute, Moore/alien Eye, and Golden Square throat has* bats, London, England. At Comm- ercial Flotel, Seaforth, 3rd tWednes,- day in each month from 1.30 p.m. en 5 p.m. -+Graduate ed DR. W. C, SP02!O'AT. Faculty of Medicine, University ed Western Ontario, London. Menial of College of Physicians and Sas- geons of Ontario. Office in bear od Aberhart's drug shore, Sealer . Phone 90. Hours 1.30-4 p.m., 7.J4i -9 p,m. Other hours by appointment, 1 ,will watch with thee at. night. I have a wow to pay. Go with my husband." We e know 'the place ;already. It was where ,Sivaji's mother had sat. A Sete words to the attendant by Govind Rao and the Shastree, explained the ordeal to which Tara had vo'lun'tarily subjected 'herself, and she was per- mitted Ito approach the s'hpine and make her obeisance and offerings, They watched her, and saw 'that she did her office as one used' to ,the duty; and when it was 'finished, 'she went 'before the shrine, sat clown, and began to •chant the morning hymn of the goddess in 'tow and sweet tones, rocking 'herself to and 'fro. "There can be no doubt of this, Shastree," said .Govinel !Rao, -"she is what she'hells us." 'She 'tnay be," he replied, "but till the goddess conies hello cher and speaks by h,er mouth, s'he may not be fully 'b'elieved, Let us 'leave her," and they went. Tara grew absorbed in her devo- tion.: she .noticed no one, ,By -and -!by a gun was fired !from a tower near her, and four others, followed. Thein a pause ensued, .T'ana'scarcely noticed them for though it was broad noon- day withoult, . it was ,dusk within the ceased vestibule. By-and-by a girl hearing a .tray of lighted lamps, and garlands of flowers, entered, but so Dental DR. J. A. MUN!N, Successor to Dr. R. R. Ross, graduate of Nardi'. western University, Chicago, I'11, .Lk- centiate Royal College of Dental Stur- geons, Toronto. Office over Si1ia' hardware, Main St., Seaforth. Phoma 151. DR, F. 5. BIECHEIR, grades < , Royal College of Dental Surgeon, Toronto. Office over W. R. Smith's gr eery, Main St., Seaforth, Ahon.r„ office 185W, residence 1853. r- Auctioneer. 9BOIRIGIE ELLIOTT, Licensed !Auctioneer for the County of Hum 'Arrangements can be made for Sala Date at The Seaforth News. Charges moderste and satisfaction guran'teed. t.A wo111an canoe with a brass vessel full, and helped Gunge to raise her up, while she Poured some into her mouth, and sprinkled .her face gently. They saw Tara heavea great sigh; and presently, as the woman .fanned her with the end of her garment, she awoke ,and loolced dreamily around her-tfirs•t to the woman, then to Gunge, against whom e e was re- clining. ,!ler first impulse was to rise but in the atteinpit she sank. d:owtl again, and buried her face is her hands. "'Why art 'ibm !sera?" she cried'pit- eously. "O Gunga, go! leave nee." ;She didnot yet comprehend' what had been said of victory for she had wade no allusion to it. (To Be Continued) WATSON AND REID:lb REAL ESTATE AND INSURANCE AGENCY, (Succssors to James 'Watson) MAIN ST., SEAFORTH, ONT. tAll kinds of Insurance risks effect- ed at lowest rates is First -Class Companies. THE McKILLOP Mutual C .. u u I Fire Insurance HEAD ,OFFICE-ISEAFORTII, Oat OFFICERS !President= Alex. Broadfoot, :Sea!fortiug ViceaPresident, James Connolly, God- erich; Secretary- Treasurer, M. A. Reid, Seaforth. AGENTS W. E. 'Hcnchley, Seaforth; John 'M'urray, R. R. 3, 'Seaforth; E. R. G. Jarmouth, Bro'dhagen; Janes Watt, Blyth; C. F. Hewitt, Kincardineg Wm. Yeo, Halmesville. ,DII1RiECTOR!S Alex. Broadfoot, Seaforth No. 31, James Shdldice, Walton; Wm,'Knose,. !L o'nd e s baro; George Leonhard't,'.' Bornholm No, 1; John Pepper, Bruce - field; James Connolly, Goderieh; !Rol beet Ferris, Blyth; Thoritas Moylllao,' Seaforth No. 5; Wm. R. Ardhibla1d, Seaforth .No. 4. Parties desirous to effect insurance or transact other business, will be promptly .attessded to by applications to any of the above named officers ad- dressed, to their respective post - offices: