, 1904-07-27
A SOLDIER OF
COMMERCE
BY O II ROE GORDON


SYNOPSIS
Chapter Harvey Irons, a com
mercial agent in Russia for a firm OF
American manufacturers, has been
expelled from the cZar's dominion.
The czar has just prohibited the traffic
in Georgia women Hafiz Effendi, a
Turk, and Milk, agent of the ameer
of Bokhara, are in Tifis seeking a
bride for Prince Davonca.
Chapter II.-Hafiz points out to
Milk the bride he has selected, a beau
tiful Georgian, Koura, daughter of a
rich merchant In Tiiis. 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 III.-Hafiz and n 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.
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
enc of K0ura, duplicating Irons, who
is arrested for the abduction of II of
the czar's subjects.
Chapter V.-Irons is taken to Tifis.
In the family apartments of the prison
where he is confined his sweetheart,
Mile. Alma Jurnieff. niece ofthe COVER
nor, 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 Tilis. 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 Dellnikof to have
the betrothal announced at the ball.
Dellnikoff proposes and promises
Alma any favor she may wish. She
asks for one of his uniforms to indulge
in a lark as pretended inspector of
prisons.
Chapter x Disguised as the prince
Alma inspects 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 XI.-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.-Soldiers search the
boat. 1t is ordered to leave Tifiis at
once.
Chapter XIII.-Captain Charka is
iOst oNeTDoaTu uuTlnS u SlOfm anu 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.
[coNTINUED.l