THE EASTERNERS. OR MARRIAGE BY PROXY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10478, 15 November 1911, Page 2

THE EASTERNERS. OR MARRIAGE BY PROXY.

CHAPTER XXm—Continued. "We hear with our ears, hut our tongues shall he dumb." Mustafa, returned to the canopied cabin ; the oarsmen bent to their oars again and the boat sped along the channel's edges, avoiding the mid current. Two magnificent palaces were passed, that of Cheragan, built by Mohammed 11., and Dolma Bagtehe, on which Abdul Aziz spent four millions of dollars, then either committed suicide or was murdered within its imposing walls. Finally, turning to the left,- the boat entered a smaller stream, up -which at ! some distune?it drear in at the foot of broad stone stairs, with, a gravelled avenue beyond, cypress-shaded, and through which the glimmer of yellow palace walls could be seen. The sun now hung low in the west, a yellow ball above the distant towers of St. Sophia, dimly visible in tlio haze overhanging Constantinople. When the supposed dervish returned to Thelma, the girl was opening her eyes, and was growing more and more fearful as she began to comprehend some of what had happened. "He bowed most respectfully in his assumed character. "Your pardon, lady," said he softly. "You are alarmed, but no harm is intended. My masters orders —who is also your master —are the cause. But you are on the way to '' ''l understand you not!'' burst from the girl. "I know you not." "Allah is good. Your fortune will be great. His Highness, Rotan Pasha waits for you with open arms." "You vile wretch! Your garb proclaims you to be a holy man, yet your ■actions are those of a villain! Where ami? Release me or I will scream and let people know what an outrage is being done." • "An outrage! Aim I not taking you to your husband? "Why pretend? Are you not Madam Rotan?" While Thelma wondered amid her horror, Mustafa also began to wonder if she had really penetrated his disguise. AH at once the girl recalled that this Madam Rotan must be no other 'than Alma. "Tell me, mysterious man —ruffian —priest—whatever you are, where is my sister? Are you talcing me to her?" ll'Your sister!" The pseudo dervish showed 'his amazment. "Can I be mistaken? Are you not Madam Rotan, who married by proxy in America?" ''No. I tain her twin sister. My name is Thelma Burian. In the name of God who are you?"

CHAPTER XXIV. MUSTAFA BEY AND HIS MASTER. The false dervish showed his astonishment. He recalled that Alma had spoken of a sister in Armenia strongly resembling herself. He was'also appalled in that, instead of bringing to Rotan the wife that was •expected, 'he had kidnapped another, not less jovely'perhaps, but a stranger. -But a Turkish: pasha of. the old' regime likes to possess lovely, women. Tte> is much as a horse fancier who likes to own good horses, Probably Rotan would be pleased, however, especially when his henchman brought t'he treasure. Now that- the abduction had taken place, the odium of it would remain. Therefore, why let the strange girl go? Here in Sfcamboul, with an all-power-ful patron at his back, Mustafa cared little for ulterior consequences. The substance of his thoughts was so impressed on his face, despite his long hair and beard, tihat Thelma shrank from the supposed dervish with greater fear. Was it fanaticism or desire that flamed in his eye? "Praise be to Allah!" cried the head boatman. "We have arrived." "Come!" commanded Mustafa boldly. "You will yet see your sister." "Then I will go with you, for I am helpless. But, oh! do not deceive me further." Trembling, she followed Mustafa up the stairs, refusing, his- Jiand. The sight of the crew, the strange and splendid surroundings, made her soul quail. She was of a milder temper than Alma, and the mysterious power evinced since their arrival in Turkey perhaps made her shrink from further resistance. On shore she might have a. better chance of escape. For the present she submitted; and she might also learn something of her sister. Mustafa gave the boatman the additional gold, bade the girl follow, and traversing the gravelled avenue they approached the palace. Here Thelma's fears increased. "Are you telling me the truth?" she asked. "Is Alma, Madam Rotan here or not?" "Yes, Allah is wise. Your sister has need of you. His 'highness commanded that all her wants were to be supplied. Hence you were taken, for we knew that your own friends would not let you come." A sentry barred the path at the marble gateway. Mustafa exhibited a signet ring that Rotan had given him months before. It 'had power, for the soldier bowed low, craved the dervish's blessing iand they proceeded. Then Mustafa swathed his head in a dirty veil, after the manner of the dervishes when under a vow, and took the girl's Jiand. She, trembling, permitted him to lead her under cypresses and cedars to a neglected garden. Passing servants stared at Thelma in her strange Western garb, yet did

OUS SERIAL.

BY WILLIAM PERRY BROWN

reverence to her strange unknown conductor. Turning to the left, through a largo courtyard, surrounded on one side by barred windows, they passed into'another garden, high-walled, with two eunuchs standing at the gate. The dervish taking, another veil, bade the girl cover her face. Not knowing Avhafc elso to do, and realising her utter helplessness, she obeyed, and gazed in fear at the misshaped forms and uglier features of these sable guardians, who grinned as they did reverence to the supposed dervish. One of the eunuchs now humbly interposed his person. "Holy father," said he. "Take my life, but go no farther." "Is thy master in the harem?" sternly demanded Mustafa. "Behold the sign. If he is, take us to his presence."

He again showed the ring, that seemed to have potency even here. "We perceive that thou art too high to be denied, exalted Be the blame not on us for admitting thee. Is it a new slave? Shall I tell His Higlmess. He is with his latest wife." "That must be my poor sister," thought Thelma. "Perhaps lam nob wrong in submitting to this violence."

Mustafa now went forward like one who knew his fay. Formerly, wheu secretary to his patron, he had been permitted a certain license of access to the latter's private apartments. Women, some young and fair, some old and crinkled, passed and repassed, looking curiously at Thelma, and bending reverently before the supposed dervish.

Through a long colonnade they passed into a large, lofty iroom, without furniture, where the marble floor was covered with cool matting, and in the centre yawned a broad basin with a spurting fountain. The femalo slaves going about wore gay-coloured trousers baggy at the waist and tight below the knee. Short, steeny bodices shone beneath the folds of the sari, a loose outer robe of muslin or cheap silk. 'Mustafa spoke to another stalwart eunuch who shook his head, glowering at the girl,.then drew .aside some heavy curtains or portieres, and bade her enter. But when the dervish would have entered, the slave interposed his bulky person.

I "Holy one, I dare not." His Highness has just returned to his own apartments. Go thou and see Eotan Pasha." „

Seeing that he could go,no farther into the harem, Mustafa turned and caused one of the slaves to pilot him to the part of the palace devoted to males and to the public. The slavo knocked at a, heavily carved door at one end of the main hall. A soldier in a red and blue uniform, .wearing a yellow fez, opened it, revealing behind him heavy purple curtains. ' 'Conduct me to thy master!'' The supposed dervish again held up the ring. Leaving the slave he followed the soldier through an audience room and into a small ante-room. The soldier disappeared behind another set of curtains, but presently returned, saying: "Enter father. Praise be to Allah. Give your servant a blessing." «> Complying, Mustafa passed on and found before him a. tall, fine-looking man, garbed much like an ordinary gentleman, except that his abundant, curly hair was covered partially with an orange-hued fez. On his feet were long, pointed slippers, richly embroidered. His eyes were piercing, fiery, restless, his chin sensual, and he wore an. air of exasperation. ."■What now, father?" this personage impatiently demanded. "Is it alms you desire?" Without reply, Mustafa, with one quick motion, took off veil, false hair, beard, and brushed oft' the disfigurement of nose and eye. He bent low. "Pardon your highness. Behold your servant, who brings good tidings and a good round sum of money to account for his presence here to-day." Rot an Pasha, for it was indeed he, stared in blank amazement, then, his brow grew dark. "Who gave you leave to absent yourself from your post without permission. Lie not, or by the' soul of Mahmoud I will brand your tongue with a red hot iron." "When your highness hears my reasons " "I already know your assumed reasons. Know this: Madam Rotan is here. She has told me of your audacious insolence!" "I speak the truth, your harness. Allah be the judge."

(To be Continued.)