Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1920-06-25
Then Azaad came home and spoiled

was professional man. He opened an
office and set out after practice. This
came slowly; In fact, the doctor ap-
peared to be having little more than no
success. But this had no effect on Ar
aNia's admiration. He was a profess
Sionnl man. which 1t was better to be,
even though a financial failure, than
rug merchant, no matter how sue
cessful. Besides, Azaad was hand
some and strong, albeit he had a very
excitable nature, which Arax.a excused
as temperament Armen himself had
rather attractive physiognomy. but
he was short of stature.
So things began to go against Ar
men. Instead Of calling twice each
week on Araxia. he was allowed to see
her but once, while the doctor went
three nights-and they were not pro-
feSsional calls. Then, before long, Ar
men was left out entirely, for Araxla
always found some excuse when he
asked If he might call.
Only yesterday Araxia had been in
vited into the rug shop when she was
walking on the other side Of the street.
She had grudgingly consented to enter
the coop and had looked over the rugs
not only without enthusiasm, but with
marked disdain in her demeanor. Ar
men had fairly raved to her about a
new KermanSha which had Just be-
come part Of his stock, but she had
thrown cold water onshls fervor with
the remark:
"Oh, sure Armen, 1t Is nice to look
at. but one Of these (pointing to sew
erai hanging near the back of the
storey would be just as good to walk
on. You can't talk rugs to me, Ar.
men. I've seen so many of them, and
when l have q home it will have bare
floors or old-fashioned carpets"
This made Armen tear his hair, fig.
urntively. The KermanSha was worth
| 5000. while those" referred to by Ar
aka would not bring more than 500
each.
Then, with polite sarcasm, Araxia
began ridiculing Armen and his rugs
until he reached the boiling point and
was glad when she left. She would
not receive another invitation to look
at his stock, he resolved. Yet his love
did not diminish, In spite of her cruel
treatment Rather, it was intensified.
Armen's cogitations were interrupted
by the telephone bell.
This is Mrs. Turpenning." said
woman's voice on the wire. 1--WE de-
cided to take the Kermansha. have
some friends at my home now, and
I'm anxious for them to see it. Will
you have 1t sent right up?" She gave
! the address.
Armen was glad of the excuse to get
away from the shop and the vicinity
Of Araxia's home. He rolled the rug
| carefully-almost tearfully, for he was
| lOnth to part with it-and went out
| to the street.
1t was necessary to go past the AL
toonjian apartments, on the other side
| OF the street; and he resolved not to
| look in that direction. for fear he might
see his idol in company with Doctor
AZaad. Just as he was uttering a sigh
Of satisfaction because he had got past
without yielding to the desire to look,
he heard cry and automatically
turned to ascertain the cause
A tall. well-built young Armenian
had stumbled from the stairway Of the
A!toonj:an building and was shouting
| Help! help" And as Armen watched,
the alarmist went racing up the street
| in panic, while series of screams
sounded from the rooms of the ba-
zaar.
Some one else started to run. It
was Armen Doomborijian, and his
course lay across the street. Lugging
the heavy rug, he hustled into the
| stairway and up the flight.
Into the Altoonjian living room Ar
men staggered, weak from the quick
| climb. burdened as he. was with the
rug. There was no one in sight but
scream from the kitchen lured him in
that direction. He burst through the
doorway to be greeted by horrifying
sight.
Araxia was running from the kitch-
en-, her hands wildly and Intellectually
beating at her burning clothes. The
floor also was blazing near the gas
stove, and It flashed into Armen's mind
| that the girls dress must have become
ignited while she was trying to ex-
tinguish the other flame. A pepper
containing some popped corn showed
what she had been doing.
When Doctor Azaad returned from
his quest for help. bringing several
| startled persons. including Mr.. and
! Mrs. Altoonjian, he found Araxia lying
on davenport sobbing Historically,
her arms about the neck of Armen
Doomborijan, rug merchant.
With one hand Armcn patteh her
head, trying to soothe her, while the
other held an object at which he now