Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-08
The Argus Daily Short Story
Rug From Mazandaran-By Clarissa Macd
Copyrighted, 1911. by Associated Literary Press.

AS the steamer drew away from
Constantinopie and that fairy city and
the Golden Horn faded from view the
little group of tourists on the Neptune
turned to one another with a cheerful
sense of companionship born of many
days spent on board the hospitable
vessel and other days employed in
pleasant excursions ashore.
The Neptune carried a party of sew
eraI hundred travellers, and her charter
covered every port of interest in the
orient. Constantinople was the last
stopping place, and now they were
hOmeward bound.
Professor Trayle and his pretty
daughter Madeline were Joined by sew
eral others whom they had found
congenial during the tour. At times
they had been separated for a few
days. as each party followed its own
particular itinerary beyond the princi-
pal stopping places. Once more they
gathered their steamer chairs into
close proximity about the professor
and fell TO talking of the city they had
just left.
There was Alexander FELTON,, tall and
lean and clever looking and very glad
TO be with Madeline Trayle once more.
There were James Hanford and his
wife. seekers after health and recTea-
tom Miss Emeline Gray, a middle
aged sDinSter. whose fad was collect
ing odd rings from every country she
visited, and lastly there was young
Arthur Clayton, Miss Gray's nephew.
Il just hated to leave Constantine
a ORC
such heaps Of things | wanted to buy,
50 many queer. smelly. oriental look
ing boxes and Jars. such sweet silver
filiCree work, and some of it looked rs
If It might have been made centuries
ago and worn by-who knows"
"AIl that stuff is made right in the
bazasCs under your very noses eE-
planned Arthur Clayton practically. "A
fellow told me all about it-how they
give EN- that aged look"
Don't tell me about it." cautioned
Miss Gray severely. II don't want
the romance knocked out Of my ad-
ventures. Really, Arthur. you do turn
things inside out in such manner l
wish / had left you at home. Can't
you realize you've been in the land Of
your Arabian Nights 2"
Clayton Joined in the laugh at his
own expense and turned to Alexander
FELTON,.
II say, Mr. FELTON,, we haven't heard
what you've been about for the last
month or two. You dropped of at
Constantinople on the outward trip"
yes" said FELTON,, II made a little
Journey into Persia by way Of the
Black sea and Trebizond- / arrived
in Constantinople just in time to catch
my steamer"
PERSIA" exclaimed Madeline with
little catch Of the breath. You
must have had a perfectly lovely time
oh, dad. 1 wish we might have gone
therer'
Professor Trayle exchanged glance
with FELTON,. Sounds very romantic.
my dear, but really the travelling Is
very rough-not fit for a woman, eh.
Felton,"
The other nodded at rode horseback
most OF the way from Trebizond to
Tehera1-"
Did you find any treasures. Fci-
tonT' asked Hanford with interest
You said you were after sSnething
especially nice"
FELTON, hesitated as he glanced about
the little group of friendly faces. Then
he smiled as the call for dinner emp
tied the decks. After dinner. II you
will meet me here, viii show you
what / brought from Persia"
us there a story In itY' asked Made
line as they moved toward the com
panionWay.
- dozen" he said lightly. You
may choose TO add another" he con
Guided in q lower tone