THE EASTERNERS. OR MARRIAGE BY PROXY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10489, 28 November 1911, Page 2

THE EASTERNERS. OR MARRIAGE BY PROXY.

BY WILLIAM PERRY BROWN.

CHAPTER XXXlll—Continued.

''That's all right. What else can I do for .you privately ? Hang red tape. If Plrince Dalmar wants to have his kindred and the treasure that rightfully belongs to his country, I know one who will look the other way, aiid —see nothing." "DeLong, you are a devilish good sort." Douglas wrung his friend's hand. "You might let part of your men) accompany myself and these refugees to the dock. This soum might make another attack, and I am most anxious to get to my yaci-tr." l DeLong cheerfully acceded, and Douglas, shaking hands with the British captain, went out to the Mist without delay, followed by the few Armenians who had gone with him to assist him in the then difficult task of returning to the water front. The sight of those blue jackets sufficiently smoothed the way. During the day the Burian sisters, Madam lagilos and Deiutons also removed frem the friendly shelter of the Spitfire to the yacht, which, under Douglas's orders, worked her way up the Bosphorous to a.-point opposite the Kumphassa Gate, this last being nearest to the patriarchal palace. In the meantime the Armenian commissioners, M. Filian and Gorganian in one of the Mist's boats, surreptitiously removed the treasure sack to their own private quarters on the yacht, where they spent hours i\\ counting the rescued bank notes and calling down blessings on their heroic prince. When the refugees from the Spitfire arrived on the Mist there wen? kindly greetings all round. Captain Douglas was,particularly cordial. "Where is Mr Greer?" presently asked Alma.. "Why did he. not return with you, captain?' Douglas, now happy to be by Thelma's side, looked rather embarrassed. Ho hemmed and hawed in, truly English fashion, for the., osteiisible widow by proxyof the dead pasha, looked' very miserable. Not for the dead, ■ however, but for the living, as they all well knew. .-.

"Well—er—you see, Miss Alma—er —there was some work to do on shore that —er—a —Greer felt lie really should not neglect." Alma, suspicious of his appalrent subterfuge, suddenly began to weep. "My dear young lady," burst out don't worry so-much." ' "Worry!" sobbed she. "Can you not see that this suspense is—is—killing me? Oh, oh, ah I" "I trust you will see Greer to-night. Believe me, I would not trifle with your anxiety. Greer told me to say as little as- possible. He—you see, he doesn't want you to worry on Ms account. He is with your cousin, Prince Dalmar, and at this time where the, prince is there is sure to be danger."

"Thank you for telling me even this. " Alma seized Sholto's hand. "I wish I were with them instead of dawdling here in safety. Oh, yes, I could fight for those who exposed and slew the scoundrels who bo basely deceived me!" Her eyes were flashing now, though the less courageous Thelma clung closely to Douglas, for she saw, though she hardly understood, the emotional abandon with which Alma jumped from one extreme to another with such apparent ease. ' "You are not going back to them, are you, Sholto?" asked Thehna anxiously. I "No. The plan is for me to keep up steam, fires banked, and work the Mist'up to a certain point upder cover of darkness. This is understood on shore, among our friends. Our plans must l)o kept secret. We .have two rapid-fire guns that will be kept in readiness. If things go well —and my dear Miss Alma they must go well — we may have an addition to our ship's company and be steaming toward the sea of Marmora by morning." "But—if they don't go well ?'' Tlus from Alma breathlessly. "Tell me, will Sidney Greer be safe? Don't deceive me, man."

"Oil, I hope so. Indeed I feel so. Greer is one who is amply able to take care of himself almost anywhere." "Sure he is." Alma clapped her hands with sudden enthusiasm. "Sidney is able. But why do'l.afflict you with my troubles? If I were a praying sort of girl I would pray—for our side,"

"Why not pray, sister?" Thelma, naturally of a deeply religious nature, seemed greatly moved. "It would do you so much good." "I fear my prayers would not avail; but yours would, Thelma; for you —for vou— —"

"Let us go to our room, dear," said Thelma quickly. "In times of trial and ]>ersecution we can endure with prayer while men are fighting; we can also hope—and wait." "There spoke out the spirit of a land oppressed," thought Douglas, the one reluctant, the other gently entreating. "Sisters both; one'reared in Armenia, and the other in free America. " It speaks volumes —the differences as to what men can or cannot accomplish."

CHAPTER XXXIV

CAPTURING THE PATRIARCHAL PALACE.

What, in the meantime, had happened to the Armenian liberator, who had again, plunged into clanger, on hearing that the.head of his church might, oven then, he in the merciless hands of old Abdul Hamid, who had never relaxed his vengeance when once its object was in Ids power. The de-

OU» BURIAL.

. stniction of Bukdore, the death of his ! favourite Rotan, the loss of the treasj »re, all these were, by tho following ! day, pretty well understood at Yildiz. j Also the Armenian patriarch, ever aidI ing the Armenian cause with tiho ) church'iS power >and means, was believ.ed l>y tho Turks to be hand in hand with the daring prince, whom rumour already declared as the prime author of these disturbances here in the capital and heart of Islam. The Turkish guard at the patriarchal palace was doubled, though M. Burian, a mild and peaceful old man of venerable disposition, averred that he and his household felt safe. The Armenians, his own people, would not harm them; the Turks, so far, dared not. But with the doubling of tho guards, egress from the palace was denied to the occupants. Outside insurrection was rampant, as much by Turks as by Christians. The increase of ,police made Moslems bold, and the fighting turned into massacre with the Armenians, mostly of the humbler sort, the victims . Dalmar landing under cover of night with Sarkis and the survivors of the Bukdere raid, repaired to a secret meeting-place of the Himshinchagists, not far from, tlie Kumphassa Gate, and also convenient to the patriarchal palace. Here refreshments were given to tlie tired and victorious men, and they sought brief repose.' Meanwhile word passed out that the prince had returned successful; that Rotan was dead, and the treasure safe at last. Coincident with this heavily armed recruits poured in from all quarters', and Dalmar, seemingly impervious to fatigue, spread the word what the next move would be —tlie rescue of the patriarch, or, if too late, to avenge his death. Thus tlie alight passed, and in the small hours, just before morning, two hundred or more armed men quietly lefb the. secret 'rendezvous by various routes and in small squads that mingled unobtrusively with the gathering crowds already filling. the narrow streets. By front and rear tihey approached'the palace, a gloomy, thickI walled palace, situated in the Greek { and Armenian- quarter. Dalmar had I already, by means Jcnown to but few, [established communication with the I patriarch's household. Simultaneously in front and rear, the insurrectionists entered by private doors, unknown to iJlie Turkish garrison, and assembled two hundred .strong in tlie cellars below. All was ready for an uphvard assault now, when Sarkis, disguised as a street porter, but well armed, approached the prince. Dalmar was dividing his men into two parties that were to emerge, one from the reai" by way of the kitchens, and the other by bursting their way. with explosives, through a door leading to tlie main hall. Dim torches and lanterns gave insufficient light, 'showing 1 ' grim determined faces with tlie prince in tlie midst of his friends. "Master!" said Sarkis with emotion ?My heart is dead. The patriarch is being taken to Yildiz with part of his household." : "It cannot be!" said Dalmar, "I've just heard through tlie chief cook ■that it is only contemplated. But we delay too long. Give tho order—front and rear—to 'ibegin the assault. 'Go thou to tlie reaor Sarkis. No —I will not listen. Even if it were so we can do nothing here. Take charge of the rear column, and rMen!" his voice rose guardedly, "where I lead, where Sarkis leads, I look for you to follow, to tlie death."A stern dull murmur a-rose, indicating that they wero ready. Five seconds later the prince himself applied a match to the explosive used' at the door and stairway leading to the hall. Sq complete was the surprise of tlie Turks that many of them were lounging about, loafing, playing cards, throwing dice and otherwise occupied, wsien, with a terrific jar the door foil inward and in leaped Dalmar, sword in hand. He was followed by a stream of armed men who fell on the Turks without mercy. At the same time the column lead by Sarkis dashed up from tlie rear, the explosion being their signal. I For a few minutes all was confusoin; shooting, stabbing, pursuing tlie van- , quished, and ultimately seizing the | guards on duty, and In making prisoners. Dalmar himself overcame tho commander, a well-groomed officer, evidently more used to parades and gaieties than scenes of tliis sort. . When his sword flew across tlie room and the prince placed a foot on his breast, holding his own sword point at tho other's throat, something in the uplifted face istruck DaJmar with a vague reminder. * "Who are you?" he demanded, after receiving the„other's sullen surcnder. No reply came to this. Dalmar then stared and all at once the knew. A gleam of pleasure crossed his stern features.

'To be Continued.)