The Washington times., 1918-10-13
FHers. h4Epse.. sEev,ss

bine perhaps one Of the Armenian girls perhaps Tur
ish girl who a eontented inmate Of the harem wOu
disappear down the long corridor that led to Had G
fonr's apartments
Each evening, when the slave entered upon his erra
and spoke to the servant woman all would watch wi
dread until we knew which one Of Us had been
When new girl was called there great exeis
ment It was her ''betrothalI''
On the evening Of the fifth day my heart sank and
knees grew weak when little alaik, negro slave g
came to tell me that Hadji GhafOur had sent for me
Another dress was given me and my hair rearrangs
The servant women gathered around me- each protest.
not to understand why was not elated. Only when
tears fell did they their jesting at the arrival
last they said of the hour of my supreme torture
''good fortune they called it.
While was being dressed closed my eyes and pray
not to be saved for that too late but for steng
and for the Joy of knowing that God would be watch
over me- One Of the harem women walked with me dOV
the narrow corridor and through the door had NJ
passed since left Hadji Ghafour's presence five da
before.
The lights of many lamps glowed IN the great roo,
Just inside the door the big black slave waitir
Across on his cushions with his nargileh the hO
beside him. sat Hadji GhafOur little alaik was wal
ing on him His eyes were full upon me when stOpp@
at the sound of the door closing behind.
Hadu Ghafour motioned for me to approach and !
upon cushion at his feet Invofuntariy shrank ba
and threw my hands up before my eyes. An instant la
felt the slaves hand gripping my tried to no
back and tried to gather courage to go forward
knew my hopes of happier future depended upon 4
submission.
The slave frightened his grip Under his breath
murmured 'Be good little one. You viii be the bet
for it" cried silently to God. could not look up
went and sat upon the cushion at Hadi GhafOurs fe
But no more of thsl
To Arousiag eon6ded the next day that must sol
how escape Hsdji Ghafour's house. To remain al
longer tortures and esssened such chance
there might be that would find my mother at Diyarbe
where soldiers had told me- refugees with money OF
allowed by the Mutassarf to remain Just outside
city-provided they paid literally for the privileI
When their money gone they were sent away wi
the other exiles into the Syrian desert.
had tried to coax HadJ GhafOur to send messenge
to Diyarbekr to my family they could be four
there or to learn what had become of them. He wou
not grant me this favor 'YOu are Turkish girl now
he said and you must forget all past associations wi
unbeevers."
Arousiag feared for the consequences of my beiI
caught in an attempt to escape CaptYes who had tr1
terrible tortures she said they had been sold into
public houses where they soon died. When had mad
her understand though that would risk anything rah
than remain in Hadji Ghafours house, she promised
help me- 1t was then she told me, when we alOI
in our couches that night that to the west 4
desert and plains, toward the Euphrates was hiddI
monastery founded ages ago by Roman Catholic DomiH
can Fathers who came into Armenia as misSiOnarid
During all the centuries Armenian religious refugees hd
been received in this monastery ArOuSiag told me, al