Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1905-03-03

sdlh DuNk III lut Nlull WIN tNtH
closed. Instead Of returning the book
Alma rose from her chair and placed II
in drawer.
IL like TO look at them, Marie" she
said Il will keep the book awhile"
The approach OF the governors ball
in honor of the new inspector general
OF prisons reused great interest 4
governors ball was always a grand
affair but this one coming at the close
OF the fair, with so many notables from
all parts of the east in Titlis, was GER
tain TO surpass in splendor any of
its predecessors. The baZaars brought
out their best goods and displayed
them To the best advantage. Women OF
all nations began feverish shopping
and preparing. Officers Of the garrison,
Persian grandees, Chinese princes,
Turkish pashas. We'd with one another
in their efforts TO do credit 10 this great
occasion. Alma seemed imbued with
the same spirit of rivalry One day as
she and Marie were going out Jurnief
stopped Marie.
Marie" he said, what has brought
the great change over your mistress
Heretofore she has been morose and
sad; now she is smiling and cheerful.
What has caused 1t? She acts like one
who knew that her lover had come to
see her"
Marie started. Did he know that AL
ma was aware Of the presence Of Irons
in the PRISON.
1T is not that, l think, Colonel Jur-
nieff, but that perhaps one is coming"
do you mean-you cannot mean the
primer"
1T may be. though Mile. Alma says
little to me. Is he not a great officer"
He has a high and honorable posi-
ton. He is inspector general Of pris-
ons."
"Ah, That enlightens me, your ex-
cellency. / know what she wanted ii
for now"
Wanted what forY
'"The book-the pictures OF uniforms.
saw her studying the uniform Of the
Inspector general Of prisons. She seem
ed pleased after that"
Jurnieff turned away.
what was there in the generals let
ter TO produce this changer he asked
himself. at is remarkable. can now
write to him that he is in a fair way
to have his dearest wish gratifed. l
ought TO be promoted myself II that
comes of"
What did my uncle ask you, Ma
rieT" inquired Alma as the carriage
was being driven OF.
He had noticed that you were gay
Ind smiling OF late. He asked me the
fause. l said l believed 1t was be-
Iause the prince was coming. / told
him you had studied the uniforms OF
the inspector general Of prisons and
had seemed pleased"
II must be cautious"
Arriving at one OF the largest ba-
raars. Alma left Marie in the carriage
md proceeded TO do her shopping alone.
She was attired becomingly. her gown
setting of her form to advantage
Among the things she purchased was a
long cloak. reaching almost to the
ground, having a hood for covering the
head In winter.
Permit me, lady, 10 carry your pur-
rhases to your carriage" said the mer-
chant
you may, but not yet. ! shall need
some more things. am going to a
cafe for lunch and shall wear my new
hood and cloak These Persians and
Turks stare at one so. When l return.
shall make more purchases"
81 will await your return with i'm
patience, lady. and your goods will re
main In my charge"
Not even Marie noticed the cloaket
drosky was standing near, and Almi
stepped into 1t.
Take me to the hay wharfs." sh'
said.
The ivoshtshik stared, but the money
that was put into his hand was man!
times the regular charge, and he die
not hesitate.
The hay wharfs on the Kur were II
themselves part OF the show. Boats o
all descriptions crowded against on,
another, for the supply OF hay needle,
during the fair for the horses and cam
els was very great. The shouts OF Cir
cassians, Georgians and Turks and Per
slams were deafening
Alma sat in her drosky and locke,
about at 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 Volgi
were the largest, for they needed sta
bility to travel on the Caspian. Neai
one OF these, with an Astrakhan owne
and crew, she halted.
No subjects OF the car hate tn,
Muscovite rule more than the Astra
khans. IL was only after a prolonge,
war that Astrakhan was subdued, an,
her fealty has never been more thar
nominal. Every little while some new
mollah rises TO preach a holy war, ant
new crusade against the Muscovit.
begins.
The Astrakhan, seated upon the prov
OF his boat was tall. dark and pictur
esque. He was smoking pipe. regard
less OF the proximity OF several tons OF