The Daytona daily news. [volume] (Daytona, Fla.) 1903-1926, 1915-01-18
A BALKAN
EPISODE
By LOUISE B. CUMMINGS

The Balkan states are half a dozer
little kingdoms that have been fighting
one another from time immemorial
and all Of them have been fighting the
Turk. II the many occurrences In the
Balkans OF romantic nature could be
gathered together there would be
enough OF them to supply story tellers
for hundreds Of years. The following
is sample:
Not far from Adrianople there lived
a country girl named Tarissa. She
was Christian inhabiting a region
ruled by the Turks. Tarissa's home
was just south Of the border line be.
tween Turkey and Roumelia. One day
party of Roumelians headed by n
young man. Boris Lovatz, came down
the valley Of the Martha river in pur,
suit Of band Of Turks who had car
ried off some Roumelian women. Be-
fore his return he had met Tarissa and
there had resulted love affair. Lo-
vatz was successful in rescuing the
women he had come for and went back
into ROumelia.
Had 1t not been for having met Ia
rissa he might never have come into
Turkey again and been safe from the
revenge due him for the rescue. But
there Is no risk man will not take
for love. and 1t was not long before he
was again across the border on visit
20 !, e., ,,k I,,,Vo h.,
often that it got out among the Turks
that this enemy had been captivated
by girl aud was making periodical
visits to her. So watch was set for
him.
One day the spy who was selected
for this service went to Turkish Off
Ger who was on duty In the neighbor
hood and told him that Boris was with
Tarissa. The officer directed several
Of his men to mount their horses. and,
placing himself at their head. he rode
toward the hamlet where Tarissa liy.
ed. Dusk was falling. and the Turk.
before reaching the hamlet. directed
his men to remain where they were
and rode forward alone to reconnoiter,
for he knew that Boris was as slippery
as an eel and If he was aware that a
force was coming to take him he would
be off like the wind.
When near Tarissa's home the officer
approached cautiously. and since 1t was
dark he reached window without be-
ing seen. In the room into which he
looked were Boris and Tarissa. Boris
was trying to induce the girl to 20
back with him and become his wife
She hesitated since he was marked for
destruction in Turkey and could never
come back with her to her home. So
intent were they with each other that |
they did not notice the appearance Of |
the Turk at the window till they hear'
a click and. looking up saw him level
ing pistol at Boris.
The Roumelian realized that he was |
doomed and, preferring to die by bull
let without being tortured, as he doubt
less would be If he were captured, put
his hand to his hip for weapon. But
he had unclasped his belt and laid it
OH n chair. Tarissa saw his eye turn
toward the chair. and. anticipating his
intention to die defending himself. she
threw herself between him and his
weapon.
This placed her between the officer
and her lover Since the former could
not shoot without killing her he sprang
n through the window and. covering
Boris, called on him to surrender.
There was nothing else for the captive
10 do since he had nothing with which
20 make a defense except to induce his
'aptor TO shoot him.
The next move of the Turk was to
get his prisoner to his men or his
men to his prisoner The latter was
not an easy thing TO do. for the men
we're beyond call. and he had no one
. send for them Keeping his pistol
'ointed toward Boris, he glanced out
through the window 10 see if any one
VAS near. for he waS in Christian
lamlet. and if he attempted TO drive
lis captive 10 his men he might get
oeA'Nt STUNT plC VI TUE lllllt .
dump of houses.
During these few moments in which
lie was obliged 10 keep 50 many things
II his mind there We're Two Very nm ,
'ortant matters that he failed To grasp.
)ne WAS TariSSa and the other Boris
,elt, to which was slung his pistol. l
housh he may not have seen the lat.
er. The Turks glance through the
window enabled TarisSa 10 take step {
backward 50 that by placing hri raut