Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1906-06-29
A Costly
Infe 6Q,

ton at Washington. Mehmet was in
Constantinople, and there l met him.
l had entertained him in America and
was received by him with open arms in
Turkey He made me familiar with
what could do in that peculiar coun-
try and what ! could not do. He told
me that Constantirople was full of
women who secretly rebelled against
the tyrannical method of their lives.
Some of them were very reckless, and
even the frightfu punishment if caught
could not deter them from natural
desire for the society of the opposite
sex.
His warning should have been suf-
fcient, but it was not. | had not been
in Constantnople twelve hours when
| passed a woman in the street borne
on litter who partly uncovered her
face and smiled at me. Being human.
l returned the smile. Not only that;
! turned and followed the litter. The
woman looked back, Notwithstanding
that the man who bore the rear of the
burden saw what she did. However,
he did not apparently pay any atten-
front l followed them to a park,
where the litter was set down, and the
rear bearer came to me and pronounced
the name of a certain bridge and the
words 80 o'clock" l fancy this was
all the English he knew. Then he re-
turned to his post, the litter went on,
and turned in the opposite direction.
Now, l had not the slightest inten-
ton of keeping an appointment, but l
kept thinking of that smile and Il pair
of black eyes all day, and when even
ing came concluded to stroll to the
bridge to see what would happen. l
was leaning over the rail, looking at
the water, when ] felt tap on my
shoulder and, turning, saw the litter
bearer walking away from me. I'm
PEELED to follow the adventure farther,
| started after him, keeping him in
sight till he stopped at rear door to
a heavily walled garden. By this time
the spirit of adventure possessed me,
and when he disappeared through the
door followed him.
The garden was dark and | was
obliged to keep close to my guide to
see him. He led me into an equally
dark passageway and, opening a door,
motioned me to enter an apartment
dimly lighted l did so, and he closed
the door behind me without entering
himself, locking 1t and withdrawing
the key. In another moment from be-
hind a curtain my charmer stepped
forth.
She spoke some English, telling me
that her litter bearers were both in her
pay and We're that moment on guard
to warn us of the approach of danger.
We chatted pleasantly about many
| things and it was clear to me that her
object In sending for me was simply a
craving for a society which the customs
of her country deprived her. Indeed,
her manner toward me was as chaste
as If we had not met In such n clandeS-
tine manner. Her husband, she told
me, was n good man, but he had many
wives, and she saw very little of him.
I spent two very pleasant hours with
her and was engaged in an interested
chat when suddenly clock struck the
hour of II. The lady paled. l, seeing
that something was wrong, looked at
her with eager inquiry
Every egress from the house is
locked at H." she said. Il relied on
the man who brought you here to come
for you in time. For once he has failed
me-"
AS she spoke the man hastily opened
the door.
"Quick, Mahmoud" she exclaimed.
"What do you mean by being too late?"
Il slept" he said.
Pressing my lady's hand fervently l
followed Mahmoud to the garden at
which had entered.
The exit was locked. My guide look
ed frightened.
There is no way to get out of the
house." he said The keeper of the keys
alone can help u.s. but he will not"
Not even for money!
"Yes, for money"
81 have only a little silver with me,
but will pay tomorrow"
"Stay here" he said, thrusting me
into dark corner. Il will go and see'
He soon returned, saying that the
keeper of the keys would let me out
for an equivalent In Turkish money
Of $1,000. l declined to pay 1t, where
upon my guide Informed me that in the
morning l would be discovered and nc
one outside of the house would ever
see me again. Besides, his mistress
would be compromised. Then offered
to pay; but, not having the money with
me, l was compelled to stay where
was while my guide went for it.
gave him note to Mehmet Pasha
who, not being able to raise so much
money at that time of night. sent q
jewel worth twice the amount instead
This received and delivered the dool
was opened, and I took my departure
a sadder and a wiser man.
l went directly to Mehmet, declaring
that the whole scheme was a plan Il
rob me, and l would report 1t to thu
police.
"Not 80 fast" he said. Tell m'
where you were taken and describe tn,