Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-07-06

race, which suffers under misfortune"
WHITTIER was the man leading? Much
as she distrusted him. her curiosity was
aroused and she listened. watching hin.
! intently
You will perhaps understand" he
continued gravely, that all this is very
hard upon Yeva. the star of my heart,
with whom Allah has blessed me. The
West has flowed in upon the East at
Bosnia -Seraj and engufed il. We are
no more a simple Moslem city with the
tastes of our fathers; and our women
are no more satisfied to remain as they
were, childish, ignorant and unlettered.
The spell of the Occident is upon the
land Vienna. Berlin, Paris have come
to Bosnia -Seraj. Our women sigh for
the things which are beyond the noun
tains. The peace of the home is invaded
and our women are unhappy, because
their lords and masters have no money
to procure for them the things that they
wish"
Money, Thank God! This man could
be bought
bling in fear for the new hope that had
risen. " ,
1T is the same with her, as with the
others. Excellency." he shrugged de.
been foolishly liberal with her-as lib,
eral as my poor means allowed. and
she has come to know the value of
money-the dross for which men perjure
alas. wishes Jewels. the pretty clothing
of the women of fashion. And |. as |
have related. being mere dealer IN IN
r~~s Txcell"rcv. F1r" "ot h-"n ahle TO
y,ae do NH lt,rNi.
iIess come INTO my hgIsehoid It has
made me- the Beg of Rataj, hereditary
ruler of thousands. ashamed to raise
fmy head or my voice in her presence
I. Excellency, her lord and master ~
He wagged his head to and fro with
an air which might have been comical
had not Marishka's need been so des-
perate But she read him easily. vile
glance higher than what he got from
it-a man who, for all his fine flow OF
talk. could be dangerous as well as
unscrupulous But Marishka met hin
I have taken a fancy to Yeva; Ef
| fepdi !" she said quietly. she will tel
| YOU perhaps that I have already giver
her several trifes which she fancied
your problems. In my own country,
am considered wealthy and l can be
generous with those who treat me with
kindness"
hungrily The Austrian countess was
no fool She had already begun to un-
derstand him.
TO treat her ExceIlenGy Tith kind slps
MSS MS boss And poST sSud ss It ds anything else
"Effendi." Marishka cut in boldly, 'let
us waste no words. | am prisoner
in your house. at the instance of Cap
tain = of Herr Lieutenant Won Arm
"A prisoner? Has not the Excel
"0ne moment. am not aware how
much YOU know of the political situation
which has brought me to Bosna;Seraj
but | do know that l am confined here
against my villa prisoner In house
within the realms of my own country
TO escape. that l have written to a
friend who will do what he can to lib
crate me- =,
please let me finish. For political
reasons the fact of my presence here
and nv mission should be kept secret
NV friends. therefore. would not wish
to call upon General Potiorek, the cover
can be secured quietly-without commo'
ton. I am willing to meet you upon
any reasonable grounds"
Marishka paused, for the man hao
"Ah, Excellency, I, too. will waste
are a woman of the world, and I, Beg OF
Rataj, am only a seller of rugs. But
/ am placed in a difficult position. II
has panied me deeply to see you CON
strained to stay in my poor house
against your will. And yet, what would
YOU? His Excellency has done me many
favors, and gratitude is one of the
strongest traits in a nature which suf'
fers much misuse. I do not know any.
thing of politics or of the controversy
between you, and I have simply ,obeyeo
the dictates of my heart in giving his
Excellency some proof-some return oi
his kindness to me.
But since have seen you, heard youl
voice felt the distinction of your pres
ence in my poor house, | am torn be,
tween my emotions-of gratitude and OF
pity"
How much do you want?' said Ma
rishka. quietly.
"Excellency, the brutality of th'
words!"
II mean them. How much?"