THE EASTERNERS. OR MARRIAGE BY PROXY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10463, 30 October 1911, Page 2

THE EASTERNERS. OR MARRIAGE BY PROXY.

CHAPTER Xll—Continued

At these words, despite their source, Alma felt an apprehensive pang that receded in a succession of chills, leaving lier physically helpless for the moment. Not Rotan's wife. Then whose wife was she? But now she recalled the source of this slander, and once more her faith grew strong. "What an audacious liar you are!" slio repeated, and having recovered she walked rapidly off, lea.ving him' seething with rage, shame, and apprehension, yet impotent. This colloquy had token place where other people did not notice the speakers, fortunately. Even Alma had a repugnance toward attracting the vulgarly curious. Reaching another portion of the deck, she walked slowly to and fro, striving to assume at least an outward composure, whichjshe was far from feeling at heart.

"The wretch!*' ran her thoughts. "From the first I despised his sly, artful ways. It was Rotan I was trusting —through this puppet. What is this fellow's object. Can he have designs upon me himself? Can it be possible that I am not Rotan Pasha's wife ? Or that this willing tool, divining it, looks on me as already his?"

Here she felt so weak that she clung to the guards, and turning from other promenaders, gazed vacantly at another largo steamship in their wake, which had left New York a little later than the Balearic. Alma sighed deeply yet with a growing resolve.

"I will not encourage such horrible imaginings. Still <lo I pin my love -and faith to my—my husband. Indeed I must do so—or —go mad!" She resumed her walk, looking so sweetly sad, yet self-reliant, that a. few people let their eyes intuitively follow her at odd moments. A portly, elderly gentleman in clerical garb approached raised !his hat.; "Pardon me if I'm'mistaken," said he. "But am I not. addressing the niece of M. Marsovian, the Washington banker ( and mine owner?"

Alma, at first shrinking back, recognised the pastor of a small church situated near her uncle's house.

She knew him well, and now recalled with thankfulness that here was a person who could be trusted. Then shame a,t having to depend on the kind offices of . a mere, acquaintance in, •sograve a matter as that, now troubling her mind,:mfused her manner njth 3an air of v .jg§B6rye jas ;®he politely acknow-; ledged his cordial salutation.

"This is what I fcall good fortune," volunteered Mr Ta-ll>ob, the minister in question. "I am suddenly sent td the .Riviera by news concerning a brother who\has been wintering there for Iks health. . I trust I am not ill-timed in congratulating myself at meeting with a friend from home. Is Mr Marsovian onboard?"

"No. He—in fact, lam travelling alone. I expected to meet a lady friend in New York, but she failed to reach the steamer. As lam not nervous and have crossed before, I concluded to go

on." "Ah, to be sure!" Talbot's eyebrows alone expressed surprise. "After all, ladies travel quite frequently alone nowadays. ,0f course, friends will meet you on the other side?" "Probably not before I get to Con.stantinople.", .jv , ; ■ ' 'Dear, me! That is a long distance. You surprise me, Missßurian."

Alma's reserve began to assume the form of vague distrust.

"Permit me to correct your natural mistake, sir. lam now. Madam Rotan wife of Rotan Pasha, of Scutari, governor of Armenia, and a- chief adviser to His Majesty the Sultan. My present purpose is to join my husband as soon as possible." During this formal delivery, Mr Talbot'® eyes had opened very wide indeed. His manner even expressed a degree of consternation. At the same time Alma was sensible that he very slightly increased the distance between them, and her lip slightly curled.

''Oh —ah—yes,'' "he stammered. "I; am very forgetful. I recall that I did: hear —or -rather read in the, papers—something about a singular ceremony ! at Mr Marsovian's—or was it at the Turkish legation? I believe the groom was represented by—ah—proxy —was he not ? Dear me. What strange customs we hear about. Pardon me, I think someone is awaiting me in the cabin. I trust you will .have a pleasant trip, Miss—er—ma'dam—er " And Mr Talbot faded away as lie ! sought the saloon stairs. Again the

OUR SERIAL,

BY WILLIAM PERRY BROWN

girl felt the smart of undeserved shame that angered her even more than it depressed. "Narrow-minded fool," she fumed to herself. "I will not be cast down or defeated. When lam once in the East, the land of my birth, these little unpleasantnesses will no longer exist. Until then Heaven give me courage and patience." She continued to walk the deck, and striving to subdue her nerves, and bracing her mind against doubts and fears, s

Suddenly a shiver went through the great ship; it was followed by a series of muffled thuddings, tremendous Indeed, yet far below, deep in the bowels of the steel monster/ After this, at intervals, came intermittent roarings of steam, seemingly from several vents and the scared passengers saw a cloud rise from the funnel amidships. It was pouring also from several apertures in the sides, up certain oompanionways, and melted whirling into the glooming air.

At this, Alma's heart, already sorely tried, by inward worries, sank, leaving her trembling.

Again shb grasped the rail to steady herself.

CHAPTER XIII

ON BOARD THE "SARDINIA."

The next sensation which the passengers were concious of was that th© Baiaerio had stopped. Steam continued to escape, but there was no explosion, nor was the ship sinking. The engines had ceased to work, though with the stoppage came a cessation of that awful thudding and thumping below, which was suggestive that some vital part of the machinery had brok-

en. All was excitement, people running here and there'," women screaming, children crying, and simultaneous the great steamer had listed to starboara.

Officers, however, were going among the passengers, assuring them that there was no danger, that the ship wasi only temporarily disabled. While this went on, and Alma stood hesitating, an excited voice from behind cried in her ears:—

"Madam Rotan, you can count on me. I overlook everything. Let me lead you to jihe davits in case we have to take to the boats.'' . ; : °? The hateful tones restored her to her usual self, for Mustafa was more excited than she.

"Leave me!" she replied. "If you persist in thrusting yourself upon me, I will appeal to others for protection. Ah! here comes Mr Talbot." And she advanced to meet him without once looking at Mustafa. Mr Talbot was naturally kindhearted, and seeing Alma hastening from the Turk, he met her cordially.

"Be not unnecessarily alarmed," said the clergyman. ' 'The captain assures us the vessel is in no danger, although she may have to be towed back to New York. Something has broken, and the flying ends of whatever it is have fractured something connected with one of the. boilers, causing the steam to escape." He gave utterance to a faint sigh, then resumed: "It is 'unfortunate for for I am most anr xious to get to my brother. What may I do for you madam?" While speaking, he eyed Mustafa Bey, who was retreating somewhat reluctantly. But Alma instantly welcomed the offer.

"Thank you, Mr Talbot. I, too, am most anxious to continue the voyage. In fact, I do not want to have to return. I must reach my husband as soon as l possible. Is not that another steamer following us?" (To be Continued.)