THE EASTERNERS. OR MARRIAGE BY PROXY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10488, 27 November 1911, Page 2

THE EASTERNERS. OR MARRIAGE BY PROXY.

BY WILLIAM PER RY DROWN.

CHAPTER XXXll— Continued,

"Terrible times on shore," commented Denton. "Where's the prince? I hope.for his own safety, tltat lie is out of the way: Why, they are butchering the Armenians liko sheep."

Toward evening Captain DeLong sent an armed boat ashore, and both Greer and Douglas made ready to go with it. Alma, who had been rather shy all <lay, hearing of this, waylaid the big Westerner as he was about to descend the ladder to the boat.

"Come with me," she insisted, leading him aside. "Mr Greer, I find that I have heen a most foolish girl." —then she hesitated, and blushed.

"You might say 'Sidney,' just once," interposed Greer earnestly. "After all that has happened?" she faltered, dropping her eyelids. - "Don't bo ridiculous, Alma. I have chased you five"thousand miles, yet.'yoTi will still quibble. You are a dear little goose." "I'am hot goose enough to pllow you to persist in making a further fool of yourself over poor me." *

"You're too deep for me, Alma,'' said Greer, with a deep sigh. "What are you driving at, pray?" "It is absurd that you should continue to show preference for me after all that I,have done."

"Do I blame you for being deceived by that grand rascal, Rotan? The prince more than evened up that account last night.' That is one reason why I am going in search of him now, for he may be in great danger."

"It is "noble of you ; but -listen. I was not entirely deceived by Rotah. ■ brfciotii;- like miaJny other real American girls; I thought more about those than the worth or worthlessness of the man who was to give them to me." i "Well, you've learned your error j before it was too late." j "But—but I feel that I have so lowered myself in nsy own estimation [ that I tell you frankly you must think ho more of marrying me." ■ "Do you really mean 'that?" lie racked, his honest face darkening., "Come on, Greer; we're waiting," called Douglas from the ladder.

"Of —of course I do," she gasped, turning very pale. "I—l can't rum your .whole life- " "Oh, fudge!" Greer was completely flustered; he could not understand this.

Douglas kept calling more insistently. Suddenly Greer wheeled, and left the girl, who called after him faintly: *!Mr Greer—Sidney—" But he was gone over the side. Directly the sound of oars betokened that the boat had started. ALma burst into' tears. Presentlycame Thelma, a happy look in her face doubtless the result of Captain Douglas' loving farewell. , "What is the matter, sister?" she' anxiously asked. "Did. Mr Greer k-kisVyou, too?" "I am so unhappy J w sobbed Alma. "But I deserve it all —all! Do yoii ■think, they will be gone very long, dear Thelmk?"

CHAPTER XXXIII

THE "MIST" ARRIVES

After 'daric tile boat returned,'.'but liejtdier; Green nor Douglas was in her. The. lieiitenant in command stated that vshortly after reaching the British embassy, .a tall Armenian made his way into the waiting rooms, asked to. see the ambassador, and ' pre-, sently was aware that Douglas and Greer were-waiting there also. .', The mair took them aside, whispered and gesticulated earnestly, -then j disappeared. Greer and Douglas shortly after this went away also, tak- j ing with them Perrone and Stevens, , who had also como ashore in the same boat. Having placed the treasure under British protection, they were more concerned about the prince. The lieutenant ■could" tell no -more, though the sisters .were at him with many anxious questions." The Den- i

tons were • also nvuph concerned Captain DeLong could only offer expressions of sympathy and hope.

"Thiat tall man must have been Sarins," said TJielma. They have go no to the prince. Ho must be m great danger."

"I shall never see Sidney again!" moaned Alma. "I am the most wretched girl alive, for I sent him off in an ill humour with me."

OUR SERIAL.

The night passed slowly, with many ill-boding sounds from the city. In the morning they saw a low, gray vessel that had quietly anchored near the Spitfire in the darkness. It was the Mist, which, had arrived after seven days' hard steaming from England. She had recoaled at Gallipoli, and lay ready for any move that might bo desired.

Meanwhile the massacres continued. Mobs of infuriated Ismalites entered the houses of foreigners, and, singling out Armenians, slaughtered them brutally. The street porters, lusty fellows, also suffered severely, being scattered and unarmed, aaid mostly Armenians;

The foreign ambassadors protested to the Porte in the name of humanity. The Porte, doubtless coached from Yildiz, promised everything, and did little or nothing.. I Finally the ministers began to order I armed sailors and marines on shore for the protection of the legations and the persons of foreigners. A squad of British, sailors, with De-' Long, at their head, came across a crowd of Mussulmans assaulting a small knot of Armenians that had emerged from a side street. A voice, in good English, hailed the officer: "Will you see us mobbed under your very eyes?" "Who is that?" exclaimed DeLong, turning quickly, then recognising the voice's owner, despite many stains of dirt, blood, and fighting: "My God! is that you, Douglas?" "It surely is. We are outnumbered. Will you protect us?"

a "That I will!". And with the words oame4'shout as the jackies, using their clubbed weapons, scattered- the Turks in no time.

DeLong seized Douglas' hand, say

"Why don't you seek shelter on my ship or at the embassies?"

"Thanks, 'Captain, for your interference. But lam on the way to my awn-ship* Bland, my first officer, managed to send me word. How are theladiesP"

"Welt, but; anxious about you and Mr Greer, and the prince. Our first secretary tells me that Dalmar is at the head of the movement resulting in the seizure of the patriarchal pallace. Is M. Burian safe?"

"I guess he is alright. They wili, hold the position until to-night if possible." . "We can- liardly countenance such: ja proceeding officially. Forcible invasion of a friendly power. Come, now- Even revolutionists should not put themselves in the same class witli common street mobs. 1 ' v

prince lias peculiar grievances ;of his own. Besides being robbed of the Armenian treasure now resting in, your "safe, Da) mar's rt lardve is threatened with seizure. They may evsty now -be at the old Abdul's mercy at Yildiz unless Dalmar arrived in. time. What a man. the prince is I To rescue his cousins, the Buriau sisters, and the stolen treasure, he destroyed Bukdere, slew Rotan Pasha with his own'hand; and now ho' perils his safety in behalf of Michael Buriaii, his b}odd relation, who is the head of the church in Armenia."

"Say, Douglas," exclaimed DeLong, "are .you sure that, the treasure was stolen by Rotan or his minions?" "Certainly. Was it not done at Liverpool by Mustafa, or Shemo, on my own'yacht? While his countrymen here are hot over this outrage, he strikes hard for the life and liberty of tho patriarch." "I catch your drift. But why nvo you and Mr Greer so deeply concerned?"

"Well, we ]iave learned to admire Dalmar as a patriot. Then Aye have a deeper reason fot: sticking to the prince. The Buriaii girls—you know their story—how I—we —Greer and me, you know- ——" ' "I see old man. But you and Greer are putting yourselves in perilous positions. These uprisings and massacres will be stopped. Yet if the powers disavow any sympathy with the seizure of the patriarchal palace, as an act* of iiis'iirrection against a friendly'power, those who have participated tlierein may be abandoned to the Porte; Nothing then cdai save your lives unless vou escape from the country." ■ '

"I tliink though, that, we will pull through', it' you will simply close yoiir eyes and do nothing. I won't tell you of out plans, lest, accusations bo made against you officially. If that treasure sack is gono when you return to the Spitfire, don't bo uneasy, old hoy. I have your safe key." 'To be Continued.)