Adventure Magazine Cover — page 31: what you’re looking at

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

Guns of the Gods faith. Surely, as long as we pay the rent——” “T don’t know, I’m sure. Well—if there’s any trouble come to me about it and we'll see what can be done.” “But who is this who is bringing suit against the landlord?” “T haven’t heard his name—don’t even know the details. I hope you’ll come out of it all right. Certainly Ill help in any way I can. Sometimes a little influence, you know, exerted in the right way— Well—please give my regards to your husband—good morning, Mrs. Blaine.” It was a pet theory-of his that few men pay enough attention to their backs—not that he preached it; preaching is tantamont to spilling beans, supposing that the other fellow listens; and if he doesn’t listen it is waste of breath. But he bore in mind that people behind him had eyes as well as those in front. Accordingly he made a very dignified exit down the long path, tipped Mrs. Blaine’s sais all the man had any right to expect, and rode away, feeling that he had made the right impression. He looked particularly well on horseback. Theresa Blaine smiled after him, wonder- ing what impression she herself had made; but she did not have much time to think about it. From the open window behind her she was seized suddenly, drawn back- ward and embraced. 7 “You are perfect!” Yasmini purred in her ear between kisses. “You are surely one of the fairies sent to live among mortals for a sin! I shall love you forever! “Now that burra-wallah Samson sahib will ride into the town, and perhaps also to the law-court, and to other places, to ask about your landlord, of whom he knows nothing, having only heard a servants’ tale. But Tom Tripe will have told already that I am at the burra commissioner’s house, and Gungadhura will send there to ask questions. And whoever goes will have to wait long. “And when the commissioner returns at last he will deny that I have been there, and the messenger will return to Gungadhura, who will not believe a word of it, especially as he will know that the commissioner has been riding about the town on an unknown errand. So, after he has learned that I am back in my own palace Gungadhura will try to poison me again. All of which is as it should be. Come closer and let me——” 2I “Child!” Tess protested. ‘Do you realize that you’re dressed up like an ex- tremely handsome man, and are kissing me through a window in the sight of all Sial- pore? How much reputation do you sup- pose I shall have left within the hour?” “There is only one kind of reputation | worth the having,” laughed Yasmini; “‘that of knowing how to win!” “But what’s this about poison?” asked her. “He always tries to poison me. Now he will try more carefully.” “You must take care! How will you pre- vent him?” By quite unconscious stages Tess found herself growing concerned about this young truant princess. One minute she was in- terested and amused. ‘The next she was conscious of affection. Now she was posi- tively anxious about her, to use no stronger word. Nor had she time to wonder why, for Yasmini’s methods were breathless. “T shall eat very often at your house. And then you shall take a journey with me. And after that the great pig Gungadhura shall be very very sorry he was born, and still more sorry that he tried to poison me.’ “Tell me, child, haven’t you a mother?” “She died a year ago. If there is such a place as hell she has gone there, of course, because nobody is good enough for heaven. But I am not Christian and not Hindu, so hell is not my business.” “What are you, then?” “T am Yasmini. There is nobody like me. I am all alone, believing only what I know and laughing at the priests. I know all the laws of caste, because that is neces- sary if you are to understand men. And I have let the priests teach me their religion because it is by religion that they govern people. “And the priests,” much more foolish than the fools they en- tice and frighten. But the priests have power. Gungadhura is fearfully afraid of them. The high priest of the temple of Jinendra pretends to him that he can dis- cover where the Treasure is hidden, so Gun- gadhura makes daily offerings and the priest grows very fat.” Tess “WHO taught you such good ‘En- delish?” Tess asked her; for there was: vame’e hardly even a trace of foreign accent, nor the least hesitation for a word. Gomichbook she laughed, “are (E@)