, 1904-06-01
A SOLDIER OF
COMMERCE
Blu JOHN ROE GORDON
Copyright IMe. by F. r. Toombs

SERVICE tndl udu ioi III ODJcN' ~ v
iteration of the slave trade between
the Caucasus and Persia and Turkey.
Men from all parts were at Titiis, ex
hibiting in the bazaars rugs and coat
of rare woods from Persia, silks from
China, costly pipes of every concelva
bic shape and size carved by hand by
the men of Trebizond, shoes from Mas
sachusetts, knives from England-ir
short, the products of the world were
spread out that those who walked
could see and perchance purchase.
Haiz Effendi turned and saw the
steely eyes Of Captain Orskoff fixed
upon him.
ut is a great fair. excellency." he
said, with his usual Turkish saluta-
ton. ut lie one that brings the world
together"
Good enough; but remember there
is nothing sold here save what Is ex-
hibited for SALE"
The Turk opened his eyes wide, as II
N astonishment. "Who could have
asked more? Is there not enough?" he
asked, gazing at a pretty Circass1an
who passed with a soldier.
"Yes, it seems enough; only remem-
ber," said Orskoff. walking of with
scant courtesy.
"Pigs! Dogs! These Muscovites are
unbearable!" growled Hafiz.
He left the busy portion of the fair,
went to the baths, returned to the ba-
zaar kept by his friend Muley and re-
sumed his pipe. The passing show
seemed endless. Officers in brilliant
uniforms, merchants, women of every
degree, crowded the thorOughfares.
The reverie of Hafz was interrupted.
How is the day? Does the u shine
full upon thee. o Haiz Effendi?' ask
ed a soft voice at his side. He beheld
a warrior of some peculiar race, dark
skinned and gayly uniformed.
"Ah, hast thou come. o Milk? The
day is well. The sun never fails to
shine upon the faithful" replied Hafiz.
at is so, o wise and mighty Hafiz."
And how is my friend, the great n
heaven born ameer of Bokhara 2" asked
Hahz.
"Our lord Is well. but he is growing
impatient that thy mission has not
yet been fulfilled. 1t was told to me
in the sacred precincts of the palace
to come to Tifis, seek out Hahz Eff
fendi and ascertain If he has found
what the ameer wishes"
'"The prettiest woman in all Geor-
gia," said Hafiz, with a smile.
"For the bride of our young Prince
Davonca. And thou hast been prom
Used much wealth, Hafz Effendi."
ut is true, and l have found the
young m But the accused Mus
covite ruler has made a new law which
prohibits the sale of the N We
must work slowly and with caution"
"Then is the thing that is so near
the heart of my lord, that his son shall
have the most beautiful bride in the
world, an impossibilityr
81 did not say it was an impossible
ty," said Haiz testify. ut is danger
GUS. Speak in a low tone. Better,
come to the kahve kept by my brother.
There we can talk"
Hafiz led the way to a coffee house.
where they resumed their chat.
"While you are in Tifis look not up
on the women said Hafiz. 1.-THE Mus
covite emperor has made this new law,
and there are soldiers to spy upon us
and compel us to obey. 1t is absurd.
for these women are happier when in
the luxury their Osmanli husbands
give them than with these pigs and
dogs, who are rude and have nc
wealth."
But why has the czar made this
law?"
Because he likes not the fact that
our princes have more than one wife"
"And has he, the ruler of the great
est country on earth, not more than
one?"
at has been said"
"By the horn of the sacred bull!"
But come, if thou art refreshed will
my brothers coffee, let us depart.
would show you something"
"Ah, then you are choosing that beau
tiful one!'
"She is chosen. Hold thy tongue and
accompany me-"
And Milk, thinking hard upon this
new law, followed his guide from the
kahve.
CHAPTER II.
A GIRL n A MYSTERIOUS
CONTRACT.
WN ALACID in his bazaar a Persian
merchant sat studying thu
bFTgEygM crowds that stopped and ex
EHA3lIfkA a-;.0J bie Goods uhan Half