THE EASTERNERS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10481, 18 November 1911, Page 2

THE EASTERNERS.

CHAPTER XXVl—Continued. j "Mv heart tells me they will not J, fail But, rather than surrender to i these monsters of unrighteousness, J Thelma, we can die!" "I—l don't know what I would ; doj" half wept tho one of the two whose life had been mostly spent, not in America, liko that of the other, hut close in the shadow of that tyranny which then blighted the lives of Christians in the East. "I know," said Alma. "I woula slay myself, 'and so would you, when the time came that life could not be our:; with honour!" They embraced each other in silence, 1 then Alma continued: "I loved this pasha. Not even the way in which I was brought hero from the train, my friends left behind, upset- my faith. Rotan was in Scutari, but I was welcomed with every courtesy. /Our Armenian childhood had prepared mo for startling things, even abductions. After I had bathed, ■rested, and l>een >soothed by tho luxury of my new .surroundings, T still managed to com tort my doubts as to Rotan's good faith. At least, I would now see my husband, and all would be explained." "But when .he did come, all was not well? Is not that'it, sister?" "Yo.u are right, Thelma. Ho looked the part of a thigh-born, powerful noble, yet there was an essured gleam in his eye that put me 011 my guard; and my manner so chafed and my coldness so irritated;him that he left this palace ostensibly 011 business. Not a word, as yet, of 'his other wives. Then, like a miracle, you came to make tilings truly plain and to clieor me with your love. Oh, Thelma, what would I have done without you?" "In bringing us together, perhaps both our abductions have wrought for good—if our rescue is carried out. But you are not even Rotan's wife, now that he has espoused the sultan's daughter. You <are no more to liim in law than I." "So much the better, sister. Once away from him and his wiles, the law, even Turkish law, gives me the same freedom you will have." "But we are not yet away. Douglas says " 1 "Tell me about Douglas. Is he the ..sarno Sholto Douglas that used to visit me in London with Sidney Greer ?" "Yes. He once had the nerve to tell me that I looked so much like you he could not help, falling in love with ?me. There! mv secret is out now." The 1 ma's soft eves snapped, then she changed again. "But how about Sidney ? That, man would die for you, Al;'ina —you who disgarded him for this ulespicable pasha." "I would -rather he live for me, 'that • I could confess what a fool I was. Lis-■.t-en, sister: If wo live to get out of this miserable hole, and Sidney Greer still wants me, with all my faults, why lie can have me; that's all. But little, and her own colour rose, as she 'added: "But don't you dare to tell him that I said this." . "What,do you mean, Alma?" "Let him find it out for himself. If lie is at all like the old Sidney I used to know in Cripple Creek, he'll find out. And now, for goodness' sake let us retire without the aid of troublesome attendants. They'll give me the fidgets and we must bo ready for to-morrow." • "I wish to-morrow was over," sighed Thelma.

CHAPTER XXVir. THE ADVENTURES.OF DALMAR. After the astounding disappearance of Thelma from the bazaar, the Armenian prince took the management of affairs into his own. hands'. "Yon are well able to look after tilings in your own lands," lie said to .Douglas and Greer; "but here everything is different. Be guided by mo who knows 1 how to meet treachery, falsehood and tyranny on its own ground." "Go ahead, old man," cried, Greer. "You hold trumps 'here I pass. Besides you have a larger stake in thai stolen treasure." "It is another reason wherein you will let mo combine our efforts. Wei will rescue, my poor cousins and recover -the stolen treasure at the same time; but believe me, those with whom we cope are equally responsible for all our grievances." "If money will help out, pending the recovery of your cash, you can count on me," quoth old Mr Denton. "I'd spend freely to get even with the chaps that hustled my wife and 1 so rudely." "I need hardly say, prince," volunteered Douglas, who looked much worried, "that my ship, my money and myself are wholly at your disposal." "Thank you, gentlemen," returned the prince, who might he Pavlidis or anyone else from now on, as opportunity or necessity served. "All I ask is that you will make no move or take no active measures without my cognisance. If money is required. I will let you know, but I 'hardly think it will be. Tlie time is too short. What we do must, from the information I have, l>e done practically at once." Meantime Sena Yapoul had, by a .subtle mixture of threats, persuasion and bribery, found out that the perfumer, though in government pay, knew nothing of the actual disappearance of Thelma, except {hat she had gono off in a chair. But Sena being a Turk, also learned

OUR SERIAL.

OR MARRIAGE BY PROXY.

BY WILLIAM PERRY BROWN.

from the same source that Rotan occupied a new palace on the Achu, called Bukdere. Rotan's home was in Scutari, where he had an immense establishment, with a harem and many retainers, with the Princess Aydoul at the head. Tho general idea was that.. Bukdere being .nearer to Yildiz, was also intended for tho princess. Other information, gathered by Sena and his spies, made Dal mar satisfied that Bukdere uas tho real hidingplaco for persons and things that tho wily Rotivn did not want his master, or his autocratic daughter, to know about. Toward night Dahnar, taking only Sarins, and admonishing the others ti> remain quietly within doors, preparedfor a nocturnal trip. "Do nothing without mv knowledge remember," he repeated. "An uprising is certain to take place, and foreigners are safe only in t'heir homes or in the legations. I cannot explain any further for many others will be involved in what is to be undertaken. If all goes well I shall find out whero my cousins are, and warn them to make ready." 'When t-lie real time for action arrives," said Greer, "I hope you won't forget that we are eager to take a. part." "Do not doubt it, and —do not forget what I said." Without describing the shrewd and devious ways Dalrnar and Sarkis used to reach their destination, suffice to say that some time after dark they were far inside the labyrinth maze of streets, courts and alleys known as the Ivumkapu, or foreign quarter of Stamboul. Ten minutes later at a signal J given and understood, they were ad- | mitted through a grated door, and J down some stairs into a lciv-ceilingcd I room, where three-score or more men were conversing together in groups under the dim light of lamps. Both Dalmar .and Sarkis threw off their turbans and other outer Moslem | habiliments. A growl of pleasure went 1 round as the prince was recognised. I Some grasped his hands; some kissed them; a. few embraced him with Eastern warmth and fervour. Sarkis also was- gladly received, but evidently the inferior in rank to his master. Dalmar was led to a chair on a raised dais, whero lie addressed his countrymen, as follows: "My countrymen,. I am with you ■again. Sarkis notified you of my presence, and how we had been basely robbed by ono of -the slaves of. that arch persecutor of"our people,'Rotanv Pasha." (Growls and fervid denunciations in the language spoken by the prince.) And again he is to.be the governor of Anatolia, and aims to use this treasure, not in relieving Christian suffering but in furthering' Christian persecution. "We know this money is now in this city. I believe that the thief carried the treasure straight to his master. M. Filian and M. Gorganion are not to blame. I, your native prince, if anyone, am to blame, and with your help, I will recover it. Have faith. This treasure will be restored to you, if I have to blow open the bank's vaults, or storm Rotan's palace to reach it. Furthermore, I have rich friends in whose ship it can be carpied away. And how, my children, be strong, be ready, be sure,, be brave, auc l—more than all, lie right!" (Another ominous growl.) "Are wo ready at once to proceed?" "Yes, son of our father's rulers, we are ready," came in the same breath. "God willing, God helping, we are ready." "Then swear to me that, whatever happens in the next two days, you will stand beliind me through blood, i through torture, through fire, through j death itselfj and even through misery j to our loved ones in the dejir land at home!" When the prince, with violent gestures and in tones of intense energy, made this appeal, swords, pistols and daggers flashed in the sickly lamplight. "Thus we swear by the blessed St. Gregorian and the holv mother of our [God!" came the low, solemn response from all. Dalmar stamped his foot, and ovc his face came that fierce expression, rarely seen in the hour of battle. Others faces reflected it, glassing thus the hideous hatred born of centuries of religious persecution. I I . (To be Continued.)