Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1914-06-04

against the door Of the room in vain
endeavor TO escape
Through another door entered the
white bearded Turk of the shop, and
when Cynthia saw him she shrank
away in terror. How she longed for
the protection of the young man she
had fionted. " she had only taken his
advice!
But the old man had snatclled away
her golden purse and was greedily
counting over the money contained in
it. 1t was a goodly sum, for joseph
Fulham was a rich man.
The three women crowded around
and were made glad with coin apiece
Then they gathered around CYNTHIA
and plucked off her rings and the little
brooch she Wore They quarreled over
the division of the spoils.
Presently they fell to talking shrilly
with the old man. Cynthia rightly
guessed that they were discussing
what to do with her. She did not UNI
derstaDd that the women wanted her
murdered and tossed into the Bos-
porus. II was the easiest way. they
argued But the man was experienced,
and he was afraid of the foreigners.
There had beeD many witnesses to bis
dastardly deed. and he trembled for
his own safety. His plan was to hide
the money and the jewels and when
it was night 10 take the girl. blind
folded, Out iuto the streets and let her
60 She would never find her way
back to Ills shop. and if she did the
shop would be empty, for there was
money enough to take him to America.
While they argued the shop remained
unattended
The tall yonng American, who was
Hugh Markham of New York. came
down the street. his blue eyes alert for
a glimpse of the foolhardy girl who
had spurned his protection and advice.
He passed the empty shop of the rug
merchant with careless glance but
something in the curious glances that
pierced him on every side made him
suspicious.
Hugh Markham paused before the
counter of another perfume shop. and
he had chosen well. for the yellow old
man was strong competitor and
deadly rival OF the Turk, who had cap
tured Cynthia Fuibam.
What became Of the young Ameri-
can LADY, asked Hugh sternly. She
came to buy perfumes, and she has dis
appeared He Iiazarded this guess.
The man threw out his hands, palms
upward, in negative gesture.
She is hidden in your shop" accused
Hugh, seeking for clew. ~ will no
tify the police and have your place
searched
A red light came into the shifty
black eyes. Here was chance to
prove his own innocence and at the
same time gel even with mis- enemy,
Bill Shoosh. the rug merchant.
But it would never do to let his
neighbors see that he had betrayed
Bill Shoosh. So. with hardly notice.
able movement of his thumb, he point
ed across the street TO the empty shop,
just as d woman's scream rang out
and was instantly stilled.
Hugh Markham whirled about and
NAASAAS0 os'''
Shoosh's rival smiled into his black
beard and returned to his pipe. The
street was empty once more-only the
peeking eyes from gloomy back
grounds.
Bill Sboosh had been fool to touch
the girl in broad daylight, when the
streets were full of tourists. but the
old man uas oroodu opd fbo1 nyore+o,>
ped the bounds Of prudence. These
Americans would make trouble So
they wagsed their heads and gossip
ed while they watched the door Of
Bill Shooshs shop.
Turk laid bis hand on her shoulder
Little by little she had worked the
bandage from her lips. and after her
loud cry for help Bill Shoosh had saw
agely knOtted the scarf so tightly that
it made her dizzy.
There came the sound of an an
preaching whirlwind through the shop
Furniture was overturned and the
muttering growls Of an angry man
sent the Turks covering to the four
corners OF the room. Bill Shoosh turn
ed like wolf and flashed glittering
knife when Hugh's broad shoulder
brought the himsy door crashing into
the stuffy room. The women had
dragged Cynthia with them to a di-
van. and they were pinching her cru
ely when the storm broke.
When it was over Cynthia found her
self, like the heroine in melodrama,
occupying the center Of the stage,
Markhams arm about her in strong
protection. while the old Turk lay I'M
conscious with a blow from the Amer