, 1904-08-10
A SOLDIER OF
COMMERCE
BY JOHN ROE GORDON



Chapter Harvey Irons, a com,
mercial agent in Russia for a firm OF
American manufacturers, has Deen
expelled from the czar's dominion.
The car has just prohibited h traihc
in Georgia Women Haf1Z EHenul, d
Turk, and Milk, agent of the ameer
of BOkhara, are in THIS seeking d
bride for Prince Davonca.
Chapter II.-Haiz points out 10
Milk the bride he has selected, a beau
tiful Georgian, Koura, daughter OF a
rich merchant in Tiflis. Hafiz agrees
to deliver the girl to a boat captain on
the Caspian recommended by MILK.
Captain Orskoff of the czar's army has
the Turk under surveillance.
Chapter HI.-Hafiz and one Hassan,
a greedy captain on Kur, river, lure
the merchant and his daughter on
board of Hassan's boat at midnight.
Hafiz kills the merchant, and Hassan
sails away with Koura locked in a
cabin. Koura has pledged her hand
to Captain Orskoff.
Chapter IV.-While beating about
the eastern waters trying to reach Nov
gorod Irons boards Hassan's BOAT
against the will Of the captain, who,
however, takes a bribe to carry the
American to Astrakhan. A Russian
gunboat overhauls the craft. Hassan
Tells a plausible story about the pres
ence of Koura, duplicating Irons, who
is arrested for the abduction OF u OF
the czar's subjects.
Chapter V.-Irons is taken to TIflis.
In the family apartments OF the prison
where he is confined his sweetheart,
Mile. Alma Jurnief. niece ofthe COVER
O Colonel Jurnieff, is kept in seclu-
sion. Her father and uncle had caus-
ed the Punishment of the American to
separate the two lovers. Alma hears
of Irons plight and VOWS to save him.
Chapter VI.-Colonel Jurnieff is con-
spring to crush Irons. Hassan appears
in court as witness against the Ameri-
can, who, he says, was abducting
Koura.
Chapter VII.-Prince DellnikOff is
coming to Tifis. He is the choice of
Alma's father for a son-in-law. Alma
buys a ships cargo of hay to be deliv-
cred at Astrabad, Persia, and stipu-
lates that the ship shall carry a man
as passenger.
Chapter VIII.-The governor gives
a ball in honor of Prince Dellnikoff.
Alma by her graciousness and witch
cry, captivates both the prince and her
uncle.
Chapter IX.-Colonel Jurnieff ex-
poets to win promotion by bringing
about the marriage of his niece and the
prince. He urges Dellnikoff to have
the betrothal announced at the ball.
D%ellnikoff proposes and promises
Alma any favor she may wish. She
asks for IN of his uniforms to indulge
in a lark as pretended inspector of
prisons.
Chapter Y Disguised as the prince
Alma inspetts the dungeons. The
prince himself, enveloped in a long
cloak, accompanies her. Dellnikoff
gets stupid with wine. Alma locks
him in a cell, first securing his cloak,
which she gives to Irons, whom she re-
leases. Irons passes the guard unchal-
lenged.
Chapter XT.-Alma conducts Irons
to the hay boat. As The lovers are
about to separate the alarm sounds in
the prison. Alma escapes with Irons,
and they hide under the hay.
Chapter XII.-Soldieis search the
boat. 1t is ordered to leave Tifis at
once.
Chapter XIII.-Captain Charka is
lost overheard during a storm and the
crew go to his rescue and refuse to
return.
Chapter XIV.-The drifting boat
falls in with the black boat of Bokhara
which Hafiz had engaged to convey
Koura to the ameer's country. Alma
is taken on board. Meeting of Alma
and Koura. Irons left to his fate on
the hay boat.
Chapter XV.-The hay boat runs on
an island. Irons falls in with robbers.
Capt. Orskof appears with a band of
soldiers and capture the whole party,
Chapter XVI-Irons taken ON board
a gunboat. Orskoff hears the story of
Koura's flight and Alma's adventure.
Plan to rescue the girls from the black
boat.