Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-07-14

Permit mo, lady, to carry your pur-
chnses to your carriage" said the ner-
chant
you may, but not yet. shnll need
some more things. am going TO q
cafe for lunch and shall wear my new
hood ana cloak. These Persians and
Turks stare at one So When return,
I shall make more purchases"
Il will await your return with i'm.
patience, lady. and your goods will re-
main in my charge"
Not even Marie noticed the cloaked
figure that came from the bazaar. A
drosky was standing near, and Alma
stepped into H.
Take me to the hay wharfs." she
said.
The ivoshtshik stared, but the money
that was put into his hand was many
times the regular charge, and he did
not hesitate.
The hay wharfs on the Kur were in
themselves part OF the show. Boats Of
oil descriptions crowded against one
another. for the supply OF hay needed
during the fair for the horses and cam
els was very great. The shouts Of Cir.
cassians. GeOrgians and Turks and Per-
slams were deafeDing.
Alma sat In her drosky and looked
about Mt the busy scene. These hay
boats were mostly from the towns
along the upper Kur and the Volga.
They were Of all kinds. sizes and de-
grees OF safety Those from the Volga
were the largest. for they needed sta.
bility to travel on the Caspian. Near
one OF these, with an Astrakhan owner
ard crew, She halted.
No subjects OF the car hate the
Muscovite rule more than the Astra.
khans. 1t was only after prolonged
war that Astrakhan was subdued, and
her fcalty has never been more than
nominal. Every little while some new
mollah rises to preach holy war, and
n new crusade against the Muscovite
begins.
The Astralihan, seated upon the PROV
OF hts boat, was tall. dark and pictur.
esquc. He was smoking a pipe, regard.
less Of the proximity Of several tons Of
hay belonging to himself.
AS he looked around he saw q small
white finger reckoning him. He saun-
tered to where Alma sat. She got down
from her seat and spoke in whispers.
Are you not from the lower valley
of the Volga;'
Il am. sweet lady. have come from
Astrakhnn with hay to SELL"
as It sold"
"Alas, not yet The fair IS breaking
up, and there is less demand for hay"
"Wil you sell IT Mt good price and
deliver it where l commando"
III the price be sufficient, sweet lady.
will carry It to Moscow"
What is the price you get for your
hay at this wharfT'
This load will bring me 300 rubles"
IF you will take a passenger. keep
your tongue still and deliver the hay
where bid you, Will give you 1000
rubles."
ut Is a fortune. sweet lady! Where
shall I deliver the hay"
AT the port Of Astrabad, Persia"
Il agree. But the passenger"
us man. Remain at this spot until
he is ready"
Under the cover Of my hay he will
be safe. Sweet lady. you may rely
| upon me. am Charka Of the town OF
Ashknr. Ask for me when you want
me. l mp at your feet"
"RetMn to the bazaar from which l
came" said Alma to the ivoshtshik
II am growing reckless" she unused.
Two weeks ago l shivered if l had to
look my uncle in the face. l dared not
go a step beyond the limits set. But
now! The blood of the Jurnieffs Is
aroused"
Arriving at the bazaar. she made an
other purchase, walked to the carriage,
answered Maric's question as to what
kept her so long ana in half an hour
was back III her apartments.
AS Colonel Jurnof passed her door
he stopped, look OF astonishment on
his face.
what neXt:" he said. "She is actu-
ally singing love song. Evidently
my brother has not managed this affair
well. Why, the girl is already happy
as we'll as conquered Really my
brothers influence must get me pro-
noted. am too great a diplomat to
be governor Of prison. l should be in
st. Petersburg"
AS his footsteps died away the love
song came to an abrupt end.