In the Shadow of Islam

IN THE SH ADOW OF ISLAM

WI TH I LLUSTRATI ONS BY

l en t - u

CON ST ABLE 81 CO.

BOS TON A N D N EW YOR K H OUGH T ON M I F F LI N CO M PA NY 1911

IN T H E SH ADOW OF ISLAM

DEM ETRA VAKA

- ! M R S . KENNETH BROWN!

WI TH I LLUSTRATI ONS BY

l un nuu

CON ST ABLE CO. LI MI TED

BOS TON AND N EW y ou r: H OUG HT O N M IF F LIN CO M PANY 1911

T O AN N A F ULLER

I DEDI CATE

THI S S HADOW OF I S LAM

CONTENTS

M I LLI OEN T GREY

TH E TURK AND TH E ARMENI A N

A GI ANT ASLEEP

TH E H OOT OF THE OWL

TH E CLASH OF N ATI ONALI TI ES

TH E PASHA OF ALBANI A DI SCOV ERS A BEAUTY

TH E CRAFT OF TH E PASHA

’ M ECHM ET S REWARD

CAJOLI NG TH E ALBANI AN CHI EFS

TH E BRI DE OF ALBANI A

T BAJAH SULTANA

’ ORKH AN S M OTH ER

’ RI GH O S SI STER

TH E STEPSONS OF TURKEY

SMOKI NG LAMPS

A M ODERN N AUSI KAA

ELPI S ASKS FOR A SI GN

I N TH E LI GH T OF ISLAM

KI SMET !

TH E REFLECTI ON I N TH E M I RROR

BROTH ER AND SI STER

THE EAST CLAI MS H ER SON viii CONTENTS

A SULTANA I N LOV E

ON DANGEROUS GROUND

I N DI SGUI SE

M ALK H AT OUN

T H E M ESSAGE OF TH E CYPRESS TREES

TH ERE I S N O GOD BUT GOD “ AN D T H E STARS BE OUR WI TNESS

TH E ROCK ET I N TH E SKY

’ BEH I ND HASSAN S SH OP

WH ERE ELPI S REMAI NS SI LENT

A H OURI

THE GI RL FROM TH E EAST AN TH E GI RL FROM TH E XXXV . D

YO W — XXXVI . U ARE A OMAN AND SO AM I

DEFEAT

A COUNTER- M OVE

LI E SEARCH

A LEAF FROM TH E PAST

TH E CH I LDREN OF TH E TURKS

TH E CH I LDREN OF TH E GREEKS

TH E LAST CHAPTER ILLUSTRATIONS

DI D I FRI GH TEN YOU ? ! p.

I SALUTE

WH Y DI D I

’ COMME LES EAUX BLONDES D UNE CASCADE

I N TH E SH A DOW OF I SLAM

CHAPTER I

M I LLI CEN T GREY

rid e swarmin wit h HE B g of Galata was g people ,

r am of t hem a st e coming from Stamboul , another

was goin g thither . It late in the afternoon , and the setting sun bathed the capital Of Sultan Abdu lHamid

in warm dazzling colors .

in de A girl , tall and straight , with the free and pen d

n ent American beari g , was hastening toward the

sh e caracol za tiehs bridge . As passed the , the p sta O t ion ed there watched her admiringly . n e of the sol

u . diers even saluted her , nconsciously Millicent Grey was oblivious of the homage paid her : her clear blue - gray eyes contained no conscious f ness o her radiant beauty ; her ﬁrm lips , though they might have been chiseled by the hand of Praxiteles himself, indicated that vanity and coquetry had small part in her . She paid her toll of a penny to on e of the white

- on coated toll gatherers , and stepped the bridge .

h t o There s e hesitated , looking the right and to the

n left : o both sides were wooden steps , leading down to

sa ﬂoating landings , and at all the landings she w

i . f steamers , bewilderingly al ke A sense o location 2 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

on e Of n was not her strong points , and wri kle her

as she pretty brows might , she could not remember which was the right landing .

- She turned back to the toll gatherer , who had taken “ ” her penny, and pronounced distinctly Bosphorus !

Th e Turk smiled at her , still gathering pennies with both hands . It was his busiest hour ; but with his eyes

his and a tilt of head , he indicated the left side of the bridge . She thanked him and walked on . Yet her per

xit l for she ple y was only a ittle lessened , as now per

iv d . c e e , there were several boats on that left side But she was young and fearless , and this seemed almost an adventure . The novelty of it all crowded ou t her anxiety . When she had come down from Therapia in the

who was morning with her uncle , attached to the

American Embassy, they had hastened from the boat to a cab , and without a backward glance had driven up to Péra . Now a glorious panorama lay before her eyes , and the whole scene had an entirely strange as

s peet . Being alone , there wa nothing to distract her from the sights of this most picturesque of cities .

Of Directly in front her lay Stamboul , besprinkled ’

mi . with narets , striving to reach Allah s blue throne

Above the city , as above the Golden Horn and the

a Se of Marmora , a multitude of sea gulls were ﬂying, executing in the air , with astonishing rapidity , every possible graceful movement . MILLICENT GREY 3

The American girl stood gazing , ﬁrst a t the M u ssul man city before her , stretching gracefully into the different seas , and then at the European city behind her , on its seven hills , and dominated by the Tower of

Galata , which was built by the Genovese when for a brief period they were masters here .

At this hour the Golden Horn , in the golden light of the sunset, was justifying its name , and the Sea Of

Marmora and the Bosphorus , with their vivid delf f o . i blue , accentuated the gold their neighbor Ca ques and swift barges of all sizes and forms were being pro pelled over the waters . It was the best hour of the

n day to be o the bridge , and the girl stood looking at the enchanting scenery , and at the people in their

for own curious garbs , each nationality parades its so f in Turkey , who were unconscious o the part they played in the heterogeneous whole . Even Milli

as t if cent , she wa ched the others and wondered they

diﬁeren t realized how they were from each other , did t not think that she , oo , was adding to the heterogene ou sn ess which fascinated her . Her yellow gold hair ,

ui - her white linen s t , and her radiant Anglo Saxon

diﬁeren t beauty, made her as from the other women on the bridge as her country was different from

From her contemplation she was roused by some

n sh s o e pulling at her skirt , and looking down e aw a half man , sewed in a leather tray . On his hands he 4 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

for wore wooden sandals , walking ; and one of these

ou t . hands , hard and calloused , he held to her In her

ful health and strength the sight was piti , and to his waili ng plea she opened her purse and gave him all the

coppers she had . A shrill whi stle from the landin g below reminded

s her of her journey, and he ran down the wooden

steps . Another whistle and the American girl has

tened still faster . She waved her slip of green paper to — the man at the gate , and passed through a few

seconds t oo late .

The boat was in motion . “ ”

! she . Oh , stop cried But the strip of water be

tween her and the boat only widened . The men at the gangway were trying to convey to

h she her , with expressive gestures , t at had lost the

sh of . boat , which e was quite well aware already At this instan t she noticed that in turning the stern w of the ste amer was s inging in toward the landing .

A few seconds later it almost grazed it ; and Millicent ,

n hi holding her bag tight in o e hand , and clutc ng her

on short skirt with the other , sprang the boat , before t he men on the landi ng had guessed her intention.

From the spectators there rose a cry of admiration .

Somewhat ﬂushed and embarrassed , the girl made her

- hi as way to the ﬁrst class upper deck , w ch w already crowded . Several men rose and offered her their stools . She accepted one near the railing and sat

6 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

nl to her , more than to most of her companions , o y a period of preparation . The real interest was t o what use she should put this long period Of schooling . Like all generous youth , Millicent could n ot bear the thought of frittering away her life without doin g any thing for this great world which lay at her feet , dumbly entreating her to stoop and help it to rise . Yet the practical problem , just exactly what to do, could not easily be answered . Like many modern girls she did not look upon mat rimon y as a career . It might come t o her . Poetry and

s romance told her that it probably would . But a yet

- her heart was untouched , and it seemed a far distant

l of t oo v rea m , this realm love ; and she was vi idly alive to wait for the distantly possible , when the real and actual lay all around her .

Millicent was an orphan , and rich . Hence the most i of nteresting of all problems , that making a liveli

if . Al n o hood , was removed from her l e though t lack

ki for ing in a wholesome and normal li ng pleasure,

i was n f l n that , l ke matrimony , to her an i cident o ife, ot a possible Object of living . Yet none of the openings for her efforts immediately at hand appealed to her . There were already so many

- well intentioned workers for all the work to be done . Sometimes she thought there were more workers u p lifting humanity than there remained humanity to be uplifted . All seemed so thoroughly charted and MILLICENT GREY

i mapped , here in America . M llicent longed for some virgin ﬁelds to work in , some places where the power she felt welling up within her should ﬁnd adequate foes to combat . She wished to take up no calling to

ul which she co d give only lukewarm enthusiasm . At t his t ime there came t o her a letter from an aunt whose husband was connected with the Embassy at

Constantin ople , inviting her to come and pay her a long visit . The suggestion seemed providential . It was a hand beckoning to her from the East , where all was yet unenlightened . Her ideas as to what she would do when she got there were quite hazy ; but this ‘ troubled her not at all . She felt herself an explorer , and the explorer can never tell what he will ﬁnd . He

f r t o searches o a passage India and discovers America . After she had been there awhile she could tell better

w s . what a to be done There , there were surely the hosts Of darkness to combat . There , womanhood was ’

f . the subject o man s baser side There, were the Ar men ian s but others were already interested in the

Armenians . She meant t o ﬂy higher an d charge the very homes of the Tu rks themselves . ’ Her aunt s promise of a good time was not without

r its allu ement , but it was not what chieﬂy attracted

n ﬁrst - her . It was the Opportu ity for seeing at hand what needed to be done in this bit Of darkest Europe .

sh When she thoroughly understood this , e could come home and enlist American Womanhood in the ﬁght 8 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM and what power Of heathendom or reaction could withstand the determined charge of American WO ? manhood Certainly Millicent could imagine none .

N ow she had been in Turkey for some weeks . Thus far she had been lost in the sheer intoxication of the new sensations it afforded her . She had never been out of America before , except for a brief vacation trip to

she England , and felt as if she could not study thi s strange new world enough . She began to perceive that the problem of regenerating Turkey was bigger ’ than she had imagined . There were no handles oﬂ ered the well - meaning to take hold of for pulling it ou t

Of the slough . Indeed , Millicent was rather surprised t o grasp the fact that it did not seem to wish t o be ! pulled ou t . The yearning for uplift had not struck Turkey ; but she put these practical considerations

For Off . the present it was enough to observe to see to take in herself . Afterward would be time to give ou t . Meanwhile the steamer she had boarded so cava

i rl as it s le y w proceeding steadily on course , and Milli cent , recalling herself from her vagrant meditations , began t o have an uneasy feeling that it was not going in the right direction . When the boat passed the point which di vides t he

of he Sea Marmora from the Bo sphorus , s looked at the Serai Bournou and at the retreating shores of the

as river , and felt a moral conviction that the scenery w M ILLIGENT GREY 9

different from that which she had seen in the morning , coming down .

of of She had a spasm fright , as the certainty her mistake came upon her . She had taken the wrong boat . CHAPTER II

' TH E TURK A N D TH E ARMENIAN

’ I LLI CEN T S momentary fright was succeeded

by a rush of elation . It was t oo interesting and

for . s jolly alarm After all , he had only t o get Off at

the ﬁrst landing and take the next steamer back . Her

as pride did wince , however , she remembered the dis c u ssion with her aunt before setting ou t that morn ing O N , my dear Millicent , you must not come back alone . Why , child , I have been here a year, and I can ’ hardly turn around by myself . It is n t as if you could

or speak Turkish, even Greek and these people ’ don t seem to understand any English .

- con n Millicent , with the rash self ﬁde ce of American

sh was girlhood , had insisted that e fully capable of f taking care o herself, although she had been to t own

u . only twice with her ncle , until Mrs Appleby, who

t o preferred anything a discussion , had given in . The result was n ow humiliating to t he young ad venturer .

Unlike those that went up the Bosphorus , the boat

' pu ﬂ ed along for an hour without making a stop . The crowd Of many nations did n ot seem to care for the

was scenery as she did . To most of them it a matter T HE TURK AN D T HE ARM ENIAN 11

f o daily routine , and they were more anxious t o land than to gaze about them . The men , by the failing i light , were reading the papers . This s the usual oc cu

at ion of is p the male , in going to and from h business , even when he knows that a severe censorship has left little worth reading in the paper . Several of the Turks were playing backgammon , while some European men were talking t o the Christian women whom they happened to know . The Turkish women were invisi ble , behind the canvas partition which kept them

r of separate from the est the world , even in traveling . Millicent was aware that she was stared at t oo long and too openly . But though she had been only a short

sh time in this land , e had learned not to resent it . From her aunt she had heard that in Turkey staring

s wa only a respectful homage to beauty . In the looks Of the men whose eyes were upon her there was some thing impersonal , something akin t o the admiration she n was bestowing o the landscape . They did not

t o mean annoy her , any more than she meant to

- - Offend the dark blue Oriental sky, or the gray blue sea i fram ng the land which enchanted her . They gazed

as upon her something beautiful , made by the Creator for the pleasure of mankind .

sh There were two men , however , upon whom e

on a made more than a passing impression . The e w s

. rt an Armenian , sho and stout , with large, black , dreamy eyes . He looked at her and caressed his black 12 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

d er moustache , and looke at h again in a way that ’ on e Millicent s brother , had she had , would have resented .

was n O The other man a tall , slender you g smanli . He was the kind of a Turk who attracts the attention of Europeans , not only for his physical perfection ,

i hi s but also for the light wh ch shines in eyes , a light both intellectual and spiritual . He was manifestly a dreamer —such as the Young Turks Party drew its most devoted followers from at that time . His hair

r - i and moustache we e blue black , h s eyes dark blue ,

hi u and s skin Olive . He moved pro dly among the l crowd on the boat , in the Osman i consciousness

Of superiority Of race . He walked collectedly as a i panther . There was someth ng exquisitely deli cate about him , which in another man might have been

From hi s position he could see the American girl without being noticed by her . His look was n ot per

- s . z istent Through half closed eyes he ga ed at her,

hi s s then glance traveled to the horizon , while hi ex

e a . pression b came more dre my, more remote He might have been a painter visualizing the picture he meant i to paint , or a musician listen ng to the chords Of the symphony he was to compose .

At length he caught sight of the Armenian , whose

on languorous eyes were ﬁxed the face Of the girl , and then the dreamer vanished from the face Of the

14 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

Vous etes faites pour des caresses .

The girl began to be frightened . Every on e on the

so on his own pier seemed intent business , and the

ﬁ . Armeni an so con dent She stepped away from him .

hi s He followed her , and lips were parted for another sentence , when the Turk , who had been delayed on the gangway, came up .

Gravely he kicked the Armenian Off the pier . It

of a was done with an air courtesy, s if he were re moving an obstruction from her path . ” Millicent found herself murmuring, Thank you !

The crowd surged onward , hardly deigning a glance

. f at the incident Only an o ﬁcial hurried up , and asked how the Armenian had happened to fall int o the water . “

. t o Ask him , the Turk replied Turning Millicent he said in English : I s there n ot something else I can ” do for you ? Are you not in trouble ? “ ” h Will n ot the man drown ? s e anxiously inquired .

in differ He is only an Armenian , he answered “

l . on e w ently, but he wi l not drown Some ill throw

w ! o r D him a rope see But y u a e alon e . O you know your way ? Where are your people P” “ ’ - sa I I don t know . That is to y , they are at

Therapia , and I took the wrong boat . I am a ’ — stranger here , so I don t know just what to do but I am so much obliged to you for er

of A smile lit up the rather stern face the Turk , a THE TURK AND THE ARMENIAN 15 smile whi ch called an answering one from the Ameri can girl . You have come in just the Opposite direction from where you wished to go and there is n o way for

- you to get there to night , he said . “ Then what am I to do ? Millicent had the pleasant trust Of American women that every stranger except such creatures as the f dripping on e, slinking Off the end o the pier would

t oo t o f be only eager help a woman out Of a di ﬁculty . ’ hi u e The boat s w stle so nd d , and the Turk tu rned quickly : “ i Come on the boat again . It s going on to Bou ” - youk Ada , and there I can help you .

They hurried aboard the boat , and only after it was under way did Millicent think aloud : “ I suppose I could have gone to a hotel on this ” island .

The Turk hesitated , and said at last “ It is difﬁcu lt for a young lady who is n ot known ” and is alone to ﬁnd accommodations at a hotel . “ a ou ? But you could h ve told them , could y not

He looked out over the water without replying .

lVI illicen t grew annoyed at his impassivity . She

so his . was not used , in men , to a manner detached as They usually summoned whatever vivacity they pos sessed to try to please her . “ ’ Why don t you answer me ? she demanded . 16 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

his He turned calm gaze from the waves to her . “ ” You said you were a newcomer here ? ” r t o I have been he e only w weeks . l I am an Osman i , and we do n ot go about with ” women . The announcement Of his nationality came as a shock to Millicent . It gave her a momentary feeling of of his repulsion to him , but the charm per sonality dispelled thi s . “ n ot ou You are English , y are American , are ” you n ot ? he continued .

Yes .

of On the next island I know a compatriot yours . f ” rs . e r . o M N wbu y is her name She will take care you .

as The boat w already approachi ng the island . They landed on a stone pier longer than the other . The Turk helped her down the gangway wi th a dis t tant consideration , and walked along beside her wi h ou t speaking . On the shore hundreds of people were waiting for t their friends , forming a human hedge hrough which

of they passed . There were gay dresses women Of all nationalities , except Turkish ; and the greetings and exclamation s of pleasure , as friends recognized each

n . other in the waning light , were consta t Millicent noticed the respectful way in which her

a escort w s saluted , and she began to wonder who he was . Only once did he speak to her during their short i THE TURK AND THE ARMENIAN 17

as o n o walk , and that w to tell her to g slowly and t t o let herself be carried along by the crowd .

When the throng had dispersed , he took Millicent to on e Of the open cafés and found her a place at a table somewhat hidden from the public eye . “ l If you will sit here , I wi l be back in not more than half an hour . There will be a waiter to see that no ” body annoys you . “ ’ But why don t you take me t o the American lady now? ”

is Agai n the Turk hesitated . It true t hat it is

so i growing dark , but even I do not th nk it wise that ” you should be seen alone with a man . ” n Very well , Millicent a swered , curiously touched at his chivalry . It was all part of the adventure : the lights and music from the café the polyglot chatter that reached her ears ; and her odd champion striding Off in her be

e e half through the de p ning dark outside .

of A waiter came up with a glass sorbet , and took

hi s up stand at a little distance from her . He had none ’ of n the waiter s ordinary ingratiating ways . He did ot even look at her , but stood silent and rigid .

n ot I guess they had better speak to me , Millicent i f reﬂected , watch ng the unbending ﬁgure o her guard ian with a whimsical smile . Presently the thought came to her to wonder what would happen if she herself tried to go away from this 18 IN TH E SHADOW OF ISLAM s pot . There were now only a few persons left in the café, and none near her . Suppose a carriage drove up and she were forced into it . Would any resistance “ or of hers avail , summon assistance? They look as ” u if they would take a thing like that q ite calmly , she thought . I believe I wi llgo over where there are more people .

She stirred in her seat , and her guardian cast a severe look of reproof at her .

She did not get up . I feel just about ﬁve years

Old and forbidden to move from my chair , she thought nervously .

Below, from the waters of the Marmora , a boat ’ man é his i man was singing a , lying in little ca que , whi le far, far away the faint light from the city of Stam

' boul shone up into the sky . But Millicent was n o

of longer able to enjoy any the beauty around her . With every minute that passed her nervous dread increased . The instinctive mistru st of Christian for M u ssu l

t o . man came back her He had dispelled it, when with

of her , but the dark and the silent presence her jailer brought every horrible possibility t o her mind . What if the Turk were to return and carry her off where no on e l ? Su c again cou d hear of her h things happened , in this uncivilized country .

of The sound carriage wheels , rapidly driving up , sent a crin kly feeling of horror over all her skin and up THE TURK AND THE ARMENIAN 19

of among the roots her hair . At the same moment

fr her jailer turned toward her , as if to be ready to u s

trate any attempt at escape . For once in her life she knew what it was to be so frightened that she was in

capable either of moving or of crying out .

The carriage stopped at a little distance , and rapid footsteps came toward the spot where she was sitting . CHAPTER III

A GIANT ASLEEP

HIS is Mrs . Newbury . It was the Turk speak

Ing .

! You ou n Why are Miss Grey , are y ot ? a pretty

as he lady in evening dress exclaimed , s shook M lli ’ “

. o cent s cold hand I thought y u might be , from what

Orkhan Effendi told me . I have seen you with Mr .

Appleby and of course I knew, a long time ago ,

o was t o that ur colony have such a charming visitor . ”

t oo is é. Mr . Newbury , , an attach

was While the lady talking , Millicent had time t o pull herself together , and to stiﬂe the desire to burst into hysterical laughter, or tears , she did not know which . ’ I m glad you happened to live here , she managed “

a . e to s y , as her hostess paused for breath I had b ’

m ll . co e pretty frightened , I admit One certainly can ” imagine all manner of things occurring here . ”

M rs . Some of them occur , too , Newbury added “ ? ” gayly . Have you telegraphed to your uncle How stupid of me ! I ought to have sent it while

was . I waiting, Millicent exclaimed “ If Miss Grey will let me , I will attend to that ,

Orkhan Effendi said .

22 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

I was quit e surprised , said Millicent , to ﬁn d a Turk so chivalrous . I thought they were anything ” but that . “ ” ou This is an idea y have imported from home , “ l Mr . Newbury put in . We have a ot Of established

on ideas in America things we know nothin g about . After you have been here awhi le you will change your

n of Opinio s the Turks in a good many respects . They

t of are a queer mix ure bad and good , and we only ” know the bad side Of them at home .

' Of lWilli en On the other side c t sat a Greek , with a high forehead and a large mouth . He had been watch

n ing her with interest, but up to now had taken o

s part in the conversation . He an wered to the name

f i h his o R g o, which was the middle section Of rather l unwieldy full name of Paparighopoulos . Sudden y he asked her : “ ou Aside from the service he rendered you , did y like your Turkish champion ? ” Milli cent answered him by another question “ ” Do you know him ? ” Yes , I know him , he answered in a curiously re

. l served tone Then , as if fee ing that she might make

mi : a staken deduction from his manner , he added “ We were together at Oxford , though he is several years younger than I . The conversation at the table had become less gen

l . era , and the pairs were talkin g together A GIANT ASLEEP 23

” Oh ! was he educated at Oxford ? Mi llicent asked with surprise . “

Yes .

e The Greek volunteered no more , and Millic nt for a while ate in silence ; then she turned again to him : ’ “ ewbu r n t In spite of what Mr . N y said , is it rather unusual for a Turk to be chivalrous to a woman , and especially to a Christian woman ? ”

his as The Greek closed eyes for a second , if to give i her speech time to travel to h s brain . When he opened

as them the suspicion of a smile w on his lips . “ You said that before . What makes you think that Turks are never chivalrous toward women ? ” Millicent again answered him with a question “ Are they ? I thought that to them women were

t riﬂes mere , to play with for a while , to shut up in a box all by themselves , till it becomes time to play with ” them again .

Her frank and serious manner charmed the Greek . “ ” The ar excellen ce Osmanlis are poets , p , he re “ O marked gravely . D the poets look upon women as ” mere t riﬂes ?

Millicent considered .

“ ' ” Eﬂ en di ? she Who is Orkhan asked directly . ” An Unspeakable Turk .

He told me that himself . Did he use the same epithet ? 24 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

No , not even the same noun . But apart from Mr . ’ ’ ” celebre is ? Gladstone s phrase , who he

ul His mother was Zarah S tana , the youngest sister of the Sultan . She died some years ago . There are those that say she favored her imprisoned brother , the ”

- ex Sultan and therefore she di ed .

A bitter smile curled the lips of the Greek , but faded away quickly . “ i l n Are you a Turk? M l icent asked sudde ly, with misgiving .

Righo laughed . “ r No , I am a G eek , and consequently a hereditary enemy to the Turk , but He hesitated , with the instinctive caution natural in Turkey . “ n But insisted lWillice t . ” I like Orkhan Effendi . An Englishman who sat opposite Millicent at this instant attracted her attention by the question :

ou Have y any idea , Miss Grey , who the Armenian ” chap was that Orkhan Eﬂ en di knocked about ? “ ” Not the faintes t .

. o I wonder if it was a spy They are everywhere , y u

of know . I wish all them could be kicked into the Mar mora . But they have got pretty sharp teeth . I hope the ’ ” for hi s beggar won t get back at Orkhan ducking .

Blillicen t turned quickly to the Greek . “ Do you think the Armenian could hurt him ? He ” so i n f seemed d sdai ul of him . A GIANT ASLEEP 25

He would be just as disdainful of him if he knew ’

- he would bring death upon him to morrow . It s a

hilos o h t h at great p p yf religion of the Turks . They

: do not worry they tru st in Allah . After dinner they went out on the marble terrace

. M ac Gre or for coffee The Englishman , Sir Mohr gg , ’ made his way to Millicent s side . He was a round little

of man , with an ease manner coming not only from a

- well bred ancestry , but also from much knocking about the world . He had been attracted to her at

o dinner , but had found it difﬁcult t compete with the Greek . “ I say , you were lucky , Miss Grey , he exclaimed , to fall into an adventure so soon after your arrival in Turkey . The most romantic adventure most people encou nter here is being cheated by a wretched Ar ”

- men ian in the Bou you k T sharsi . “ so Now that I have begun well , Millicent replied ,

u I shall expect to keep right on . I am sure there m st

on really be enough Of them , if e only knows how to ” go about ﬁnding them .

Sir Mohr smoothed his blond moustache . ” “ ! uite so , he admitted thoughtfully . I suppose

I am a humdrum sort of person myself, but it seems

on to me you get more pleasure , the whole , out of

. Adven simple things , like tennis parties and picnics O tures read well in books , but in real life they are ften deucedly uncomf ortable . 26 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

But are we in life just for humdrum pleasures ?

Millicent exclaimed , almost contemptuously . I should not care to live , if that were all I had to look ” forward to . The little round Englishman sipped his coffee con l t emplat ive y for a minute . Then he waved a pudgy

of hand toward the Sea Marmora , now lighted up by f the rays o the rising moon . ? ’ Not half bad that , is it It s a beautifu l country ’ but I suppose if you d set ou t to try to bring together as heterogeneous and inharmonious a lot of people as ’ ou n u possible , y could t have got a worse mixt re than ” ’ you ﬁnd here in Turkey . After a minute s musing , “ ’ he added : They ve got the only government pos sible for them . The Young Turks talk about a con st it u t ion

ou t Millicent , her starry eyes looking over the dark

o n sea , and thinking her w thoughts about this coun try , was giving no great attention to the remarks of the little Englishman , when they were interrupted by the approach of Righo and an elderly American lady , f M rs . Finlay . Sir Mohr , with a word O excu se , rose and went to Mrs . Newbury at the other end of the terrace . “ ” Ri ho re That is rather an extraordinary man , g marked , looking after him . “ ’ R ! n eally I had t discovered it , Millicent re plied . He told me he found more satisfaction in ten ” nis parties and picnics than in adventures . A GI ANT ASLEEP 27

i ho u R g laughed , somewhat immoderately , it str ck the American girl . “

k . n Well , he ought to now He has been co ﬁdential ’ or agent for two three governments , and I don t sup pose there is a man in Turkey who has had more ad

- f - O . ventures than he , in spite Of his matter fact air

ou t Indeed , I believe he comes Of them alive by treat ing them as mere commonplaces . ! ” Oh Millicent exclaimed , a good deal mortiﬁed that she should have so misjudged him . “ ou see When y him in a place , you may be pretty certain that as a compatriot of yours expressed it ” there is something doing . “ Then is his being here a sign that the Young Tu rks

The Greek shrugged his shoulders , and appealed t o

M rs . Finlay . “ u s You have seen a good deal of , and as an out sider can perhaps judge better whether the country is ” ready for a change .

r . M s Finlay was a motherly woman , who had lost l her husband and all her chi dren , and was trying to forget her sorrow in helping others . “ I am very glad , dear , that nothing unpleasant ” S came to you from your adventure , he said to Milli

. I t cent , with her kind smile was the ﬁrst direct con versation she had had with the girl . I have been in

for a Asia Minor the last two years , n d adventu res are 28 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM not what I should like to see a young girl have in this country .

as Millicent w interested in her at once . “ Were you ou t there helping the Turkish women ?

O . The N , dear y will have none of us , and they do not need us . I was trying to do what little I could for the Armenians . They are a sad lot ou t there . “ : o e She turned to the Greek I w you a great deal , h . is u Mr Rig o . It thanks to yo r letters that the people took me to their hearts and did not mistrust me “ I have been through that part of the world several ” times on pleasure trips .

Mrs . Finlay adjusted her eyeglasses and looked up at the Greek .

e They must have be n queer pleasure trips , she remarked , without smiling . “ V ” He nodded . ery , he said brieﬂy . “ l They ki l them , my dear Miss Grey they kill ” them like mosquitoes , said Mrs Finlay with awe .

Ri ho They kill each other , you mean , g corrected . You were out there when the Turks were doing the

is . . see killing Occasionally it the other way You ,

Miss Grey , we Greeks , and the Armenians , and a

bu t dozen other races , are Turkish subjects , we vow no allegiance to the Tu rk . In our hearts we are su b ject s of other nationalities whom we cherish to the detriment of the on e which is governing u s . Turkey

30 IN THE SHA DOW OF ISLAM

I was only a little girl when my father came here ” from England , Mrs . Nash said . I have grown up in this cou ntry , and the more I understand the situa tion , the more convinced I become that the country i is doomed to destruction , because of t s internal dis ” sensions .

l At that moment , from a ca que at a distance a voice rose upon the night air . It was a voice young and

Old . fresh , singing an Turkish ballad “ i A ! s u M rs . h this beautif l , Nash exclaimed . I Putting her arm through that of l\ rs . Finlay she

: sit on added Come and down a comfortable chair .

It will last for some time . You will have this to take with you to America never to forget . We do have ” some beau tiful things in Turkey .

The two older women , arm in arm , went to a settee , Ri hd and Millicent and g were left to themselves again . “ ” ou sit ? Would y like to down , too he asked . h She s ook her head , her whole attention given to the song , which rose and fell over the water . There was a time when it was gay . Then the tones grew sadder and sadder , and without any warning , it ceased al together .

The Greek sighed , and unconsciously the American girl did the same . “ ? she Will it begin again asked . ” “ I doubt it , he answered . A few houses below some imperial ladies are visiting . The singer must be A GIANT ASLEEP 31

i li a sera g . The Turkish people are artists in emotion they never repeat . She probably was sent ou t there ” to sing that on e song only .

of Faintly there came to them the sound oars , and presently they could make ou t the dim shape of a

' '

l u . ca q e It passed quite near the terrace , and they saw the white veils of the occupants . Righ o leaned forward and called “ ” T eshecu r ed erim .

A laughing , musical voice replied “ ” Beshe deil .

? s What did you say Millicent a ked . ” We exchanged courtesies .

For a little time they stood silent ; then the Greek , a propos of nothing , said What I admire about you American women is that

o of as n y u seem capable deeds , I ca not imagine an ” excitable French or Italian woman . “ Charlotte Corday and Jeanne of Naples were cap

of . able deeds , Millicent rejoined

Ah you know history Righo cried . That means you love great , real actions . Perhaps you would even

ul ? a i help them on , if you co d He w s look ng at her with singular intensity . “ ” Have you any for me to perform ? she asked lightly .

With this Greek , despite their differences of na t ion alit n y , environment , and trai ing , she already had 32 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

f . as a feeling o friendliness They were sympathetic ,

sa the Italians y , and could understand each other without diagrams . “ ” i Who knows ? R gho replied . This is a strange

' n iss as God la d , M Grey , and you look if meant you ” for great things .

ho At a loss just w to take this , the girl turned her eyes to the distant coast of Turkey .

his It looks like a giant , lying dead , with head upon ” his arm , she said . “

is n ot . It is a giant , but he dead only asleep

u s When he awakes , Heaven help all , unless we are ” prepared for the awakening . There was a thrill in his voice which stirred Milli cent . “ u ? she a You are a Yo ng Turk sked impulsively , raising her eyes to his . With his little ﬁnger he knocked the ash from the cigarette , and it ﬂoated down into the water which

H is laved the wall of the terrace . next words did not give a categorical reply to her question . “ When you see a man here in whose eyes lies a

him is a You n : dream , do not ask if he g Turk be certain ” Of it . “ But what can we accomplish with dreams ?

Millicent asked . “ You are mistaken , Miss Grey . What is a dream but an aspiration of the soul ? Gradually it reaches the A GIA NT ASLEEP 33 brain ; the mind understands and resolves ; the body — obeys and you have action . Pity those who have no dreams ; for their sou ls are asleep , and they will ” never accomplish immortal deeds . “ There have been dreamers who have only dreamed ” and died still dreaming , the girl answered , falling into his mood .

is The Greek shook h head . “ Again you are mistaken . A beautiful thought ‘ never dies , though the man may . When his soul leaves his body , his dream ﬂoats in the air till another soul , traveling toward the earth , receives it , and the dream is on earth again . There are dreams and dreams , Miss Grey ; there are those which can be understood

r and put into execution by him who d eams them , and ’ others which must pass through men s minds for cen t u ries ever developing , ever waiting for the world to advance Su fﬁc ien t ly before they may become ’ deeds . Orkhan Effendi s dream my dream is an Old on e which h as been ﬁlling the air of this country

ld r for years and years . It is an o d eam which has ac quired strength and beauty with age . We feel its force now because our brain , analyzing it , understands it . From the understanding to the realization is but

i u Forgive me , M ss Grey , why sho ld I bother you ? with our dream you who are yourself the per

on iﬁcat ion f s o a beautiful dream , perhaps your ’ ” mother s . 34 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

I have never known my mother , the girl said . ” She died when I was born .

Yes , there must be dreams that kill , too , he said , in slow rumination . His arms were crossed on his

e hi br ast , in an attitude w ch in an American would h ave had a touch of the melodramatic . In him it seemed quite natural . Millicent thought that he might have been an ancient Greek , about to deliver “ an immortal oration . I lost mine , too , when I needed ” H is her most . face hardened as he spoke ; then “ abruptly he changed the subject . May I bring my wi ? sister to see you , l ss Grey I am fourteen years

he . older than s When my mother died , I promised ’ i to be the child s guardian . It s hard to be mother and father to a girl . “ Is your father dead ? ” Millicent asked sympa thetically . “ My father my father he repeated . He is dead and his blood

He checked the passionate outburst . Pointing to ward the dim coast of Turkey , he said unsteadily “

i s . It a giant , Miss Grey , but he is only sleeping CHAPTER IV

THE HOOT OF THE OWL

R HAN E in K EFF NDI sat at a large table , t en t ly examining what appeared to ‘ be the

- rough plan of an elaborate country place . He referred frequently from it to a sheet of paper , closely written over . From time to time he made minute marks on the plan with red , green , and blue pencils . The silence Of the night was broken by the melan c holy hoot of an owl . Orkhan raised his head . The note of the bird of night sounded again , and this time the Tu rk slipped an automatic pistol into his pocket ,

n turned out the light , and stepped forth o the stone balcony outside his room . It overhung the water , and was supported by huge stone brackets . Noiselessly he lowered a light rope ladder over the balustrade, and crouched down , pistol in hand .

was The moon under a big cloud , and the sea lay black beneath him . Far across it a few lights indi f h c at ed the position o C art al on the Asiatic coast .

Off to the right lay the bare island of An t irovin t hos .

Again the hoot Of the owlcame over the water . To this third Signal the Turk made answer in the same way . ﬂ The sound of muf ed oars came faintly to him . A 36 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

rowboat was approaching . It passed directly under the balcony and without stopping continued on it s ’ ro e ladder st iﬂ en ed way . The p , however , and creaked , as with some weight . A few seconds later the face l of Righo showed dim y against the darkness .

He climbed swiftly over the balustrade , and with ou t a word began hauling up the ladder . ! ” Sh he warned , when it lay on the stone ﬂoor at their feet . f The t wo men stood , every nerve o hearing so ’ strained that the Greek s heartbeats were plainly audible .

Before the ﬁrst boat had gone many rods , they could

ou Of make t the faint sound another , its oars also

f on of . mu ﬂed , following the track the ﬁrst It did not bear in quite so close t o the shore, and passed on out of hearing .

Ri ho g chuckled . “ - r They will have a long row, to night , fo nothing .

My boatmen are going completely around the island , and back to the place they started from .

The two men stepped into the room . Orkh an Ef fendi closed the door and pulled a heavy curtain over it , and only then struck a match and lighted the lamp .

- heldi hi s hi s Os g , he said , saluting with ﬁngers to lips and forehead . Nikolas Paparighopou los threw his black overcoat

38 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

we fail , they often succeed . I suppose M alkhat ou n ” H an ou m gained us this last door, too . Orkhan nodded “ A ! h we men , the Greek apostrophized . Be cause we have a little more strength in our arms we delegate woman to an inferior position , and deny her

Of a share in the conduct ou r affairs . But what we

sh have torn from her by brute strength , e is winning ” - sacriﬁcin l back by her intelligence and her self g ove .

as Orkhan w ﬁngering his pencil impatiently , and the Greek stopped abruptly . He laughed , and put hi ’ s arm affectionately around the Turk s shoulders . “ ’ I know you don t agree with me , Orkhan , but you ” know I am right . “ You are right in this , that thanks to the women and especially to M alkhat ou n H an ou m we have made faster progress Of late . At the same time , my

Ri ho friend g , it is an ugly necessity which forces us to push women on to unholy ground . Women are meant to open the gates of Heaven to us , not to go forth and battle in Hell with u s . However With a gesture he dismissed this phase Of the sub

ect i i : j , and draw ng his plan before him , cont nued This inner door of the imperial apartment on the right , is guarded by Halil Pasha and his men . He is l on e of . us This , from the outer apartment to Hali ’ Pasha s , is in charge of T akshan Pasha . He is a

on friend , and will soon be an ally . And the entrance THE HOOT OF THE OWL 39

n the same lin e , leadi g into the garden , is in the hands

oo . of H ou rik Bey . He , t , is ours We may say that the

our entire right side is won . With last victory , we are

n su re of the three detachments o the left . On both sides the Padi shah will ﬁnd himself surrounded by our ” men in his own palace .

The listening Greek drank in the words Of the Turk,

of with a gleam ferocity shining in his eyes . “ The army every day is becoming more and more surely ours . Not a month passes but we make pro gress with the garrisons of the interior . It will not be

u nl is long before we can strike , ess there some u n ex ” - of pec t ed counter move on the part the Sultan . “ ” Ri ho It is that I am afraid of , g replied gloomily .

nl Twice we have been nearly ready, o y t o see our plans fall like a house of cards . If he will only delay a few months more , he will ﬁnd the cruelty and death which he has so Often meted out to others dogging his ” own footsteps . “ If he will only delay a few months , the Turk re “ eat ed his p , a strange exaltation in manner , there will

u be a revolution s ch as the world has never witnessed .

We will Show the Christian nations , which consider

of themselves alone civilized , how far the followers

u the Prophet have s rpassed them . There shall be no ”

n o . plunder, no rioting if Allah permits , bloodshed

As for if rebuked by the Turk , the Greek was silent a minute . Then he said : 40 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

do Orkhan , you not think we ought to be doing something t o be gaining ground in Europe ? Shall we not need sympathizers there to help us when t he time comes ?

The Turk laughed scornfully . “ ! NO as Bismarck said , Europe always accepts a ” f ait accompli . “ You are right , Orkhan . Let the revolution once be made and she will

she applaud us , while in advance would only hinder anything which might tend to make us the great na i tion we once were . When we shall force Abdul Ham d to give us a constitution ; when through it we shall attain to freedom Of opinion and of speech ; when our natural resources may honestly be exploited , and the public revenues no longer are emptied into the private

f : u treasury o the Sultan then E rope , whether she

u s . wishes it or not , will have to believe in Freedom and justice are all that are needed to make Of u s as powerful and great a nation as the young nation of ” North America . “ ! t oo Ri h Odd I , , had America in my mind , g o “ our said . There movement should ﬁnd more support

is than in Europe , because there no possible rivalry between the two countries . Why not enlist the aid

Of some American women in ou r work? T o - night I met on e who seemed to me most ﬁtted to assist us . ’ ul as She is beautif a lily , and men s hearts would THE HOOT OF THE OWL 41

melt before her , like snow in the sunshine . She is in ll t e igen t as a man , yet as tender and imaginative as ’ she a woman , and has the American woman s self reliance and lack of fear . The gold of her hair and the gold Of her heart would form a capital from which we ” could draw deeply .

as While the Greek w speaking , Orkhan Eﬂ en di had H i grown rigid with attention . s eyes were ﬁxed on

h Ri ho as t e plain but attractive face Of g , he described this latest proselyte he hoped t o make . It was a large ’ part Of the Greek s work to Obtain recruits . With his

of quick and accurate judgment character , he seldom made a mistake . “ o - on Though I only met her t night , he went , I

n o on e have seen her twice before , and hers is t a face forgets . Her imagination is already at work . It will ” not be hard to win her t o us . With a manner which had in it something forced f i in its deliberation , Orkhan Ef endi rolled h mself a cigarette , the ﬁrst he had smoked . “ Pa ari ho s What is her name , p g pou lo ? ” lVI iss Grey .

k u Pic ing p a blue pencil , the Turk carefully fol lowed with it the outline of a wire clip which held some

was papers together . He did not speak until this

ﬁnished . Then , with the directness of hi s nation , in

of : affairs the emotions , he asked “ Ri o gh , are you in love with her? 42 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

? In love with her the Greek repeated . I su p pose so , in the way every man is with a beautiful woman . But all that I have had to give to a woman has already been given . Now there is silence , where

was once there the music Of life . It is only thanks to

ou k y , Or han , that I have found other interests to make life worth living .

Moodily the Turk listened , and pondered the words

hi s Of friend .

u The latter, with a brisker air , res med . “ i Of M ss Grey, I think , has gifts the highest order .

f u se I am sure she could be o to us . If you were to see ou her a few times , y could gain her support . You are a man to make women as well as men believe and ” Obey .

Orkhan Effendi still di d not reply . He rose and walked the length Of the room several times . His friend almost forgot the matter they were discussing , as he followed the lithe ﬁgure of the Turk with his

as eyes . There shone in them a great love , such is given to few men to inspire in their fellow creatures .

At length Orkhan stopped in front of the Greek . “ Ri h — l g o , I wish this woman this B iss Grey

oo to be kept ou t of ou r work . Already there are t ” many women .

The Greek shru gged his shoulders . “ You I o t o are the leader , Orkhan . t is for y u choose

u u yo r lie tenants . I only THE HOOT OF THE OWL 43

From without came twice the hoot of an owl; and ’

a aln . after an instant s pause , g twice “ “ z avat It is T , said Orkhan , back from Salon ica . With the same precautions he had previously em ployed , the Turk went out on the terrace , while the

Greek , pistol in hand , waited behind the cu rtains .

u A man climbed over the bal strade , and then an

. S other , and another ilently they all went into the room .

When the curtains were drawn , the relighted lamp revealed three men as different in type as they were in age . T z avat Bey was a handsome young Turk Of the

on e same general appearance as Orkhan , but in whom the physical predominated over the spiritual .

The second , Halil Bey , a man nearing middle age , was a curious compound of the unscrupulous politi eian and the fanatic . His manner did not have the

of captivating quality the two younger Turks , but

u if he co ld not win soldiers to a new cause , he knew admirably how to u se them after they were won .

Of On noticing the presence the Greek , an unpleasant

Of expression , for the fraction a second , shot from his eyes ; but when he greeted Righo he was courtesy itself .

as The third w a man of sixty , leonine in bearing , and with the fearless glance of an eagle . He stood 44 IN THE ' SHADOW OF ISLAM

of he erect , young heart and great Of courage . When

i ho . noticed R g , his face lighted with pleasure “ ” Glad to see you here , Niko . i Thank you , Hak r Pasha , said the Greek . Anything serious ? ”

The old man nodded . “ I mean to understand our programme deﬁnitely ” n before I become o e of the orchestra .

Halil Bey had lent a watchful ear to these words . Suavely he put in “ At the present hour patriots ought to work for the

n o o i . common good , t t d scuss The lionlike Old man raised hi s head and gave Halil

Bey a scornful glance from head t o foot , and deliber ately turned hi s back on him . At that moment the dissensions which were later to disrupt the Youn g

Turks Party were born .

46 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

Hakir Pasha rose and struck the table vehe men t ly. Of We are here , ﬁve Of the leaders the movement . — — I wish to explain my position to night so that it ” cannot be misunderstood .

n - Orkhan touched his ﬁ gers to his lips . Bou you ” roum , he said . “ n f I was o e o the seven men who , during the reign

‘ f on s i o Sultan Aziz , dared pronounce the word C t t u ’ ’ tion . Although it is known as Midah Pasha s Con

n of st it u t io , seven us drew it up after many delibera tions . I saw it triumphant , for a short period , and — then ignomini ously killed as well as the other six men who conceived it . I alone was saved because I took refuge among the Albanian Mountains , which are ever too high for Turkish tyranny to submerge . The ugly light which once before had come into Halil ’ Bey s eyes was there again the ferocity of the bar l barous Tu rk . He knew it , whi e he could not su p

i - press t , and he kept his eye lids half closed and his glance ﬁxed on the table . “ - ﬁ e of Forty v years ago , seven us came together speaking of rejuvenation and constitution . We are

ou r here again with the same words in mouths , and

' ou with more ch an ce of success . But what do y mean by Constitution ? ”

He addressed himself directly t o Orkh an . “ ” “ I mean , answered the latter gently , a govern THE CLASH OF NATIONALITIES 47 ment which will have on e aim : to ameliorate the con dition Of all Turkish subjects ; to see that there shall be justice and progress , according t o the standard of ’ ” the world s present civilization . “ And this government will be composed of what ” men ? the Old Albanian asked . “ f It will be composed o Turkish subjects .

on e Hakir Pasha struck palm against the other . “ ” And whom do you call Turki sh subjects ? he de

man ded . “ who u All those call T rkey their fatherland , re plied Orkh an . “ ” Exactly , put in Halil Bey , all those who call ” Tu rkey their fatherland . “ i Now we have come to the point , excla med the Albanian “ ‘ All those who call Turkey their father ’

is sa . land , that to y , the conquerors “ ” “ o But surely , protested Orkhan , y u call Turkey your fatherland . “ M y fatherland is Albania . She has my ﬁrst de vo ion t , and for her sake I am joining in this work Of rejuvenation . Let us understand one another . I and my Albanians will help to ﬁght your battles because we want a better government for Albania ; and what we ” understand by constitution is this :

The Old man looked at those around the table , but it was to Halil Bey directly that he spoke . “ When ou r party succeeds in overthrowing the 48 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM present tyr an nical and corrupt government and in establishing the Constitution , there shall be freedom

of Of speech , freedom conscience , and , above all , as much freedom Of growth for the alien races as for the

Turks . We want a United States Of Turkey . Eac h state to have its laws , its standing armies , and its

on e racial customs with head , the Parliament of

Of f Turkey , composed an equal number o represent atives from each . It would naturally be t o the ad

of of i O vantage the State the Alban ans , f the State of

s of the Armenian , and that of the Greeks to gather u nder the banner Of Turkey the moment Turkey was threatened from outside . But in time of peace we ” n want our ow national life unhi ndered .

his on r He crossed arms his b east , and turned from

n of o e the leaders to the other deliberately . “ Am I given such a promise? ”

Halil Bey rose .

w as a Hakir Pasha , he said , you are kno n great

an u mi m , b t you ask what a smaller man ght . What you ask would be right if each Albanian were as noble minded a man as you are ; if each Armenian were as brave an d as loyal as you are ; and if the integrity of every Greek equaled yours ; but you forget that when

of reor we succeed , the work reconstruction and gan i z at ion will be even more difﬁcult than the overthrow f o the present tyranny . Europe will be glad to see u s stand on our feet as a nation only because each great THE CLASH OF NATIONALITIES 49 power will be relieved of the fear that some other will absorb us . At the same time Europe will not be eager to see another Turkey arise with the strength it had in the ﬁfteenth centu ry . Europe will do much to

ou r hinder progress beyond a certain point . What all patriots must do is not to ask for a guaranty for the preservation Of their own racial customs and racial

for ideals , but to put aside the lesser the greater good . For Turkey to be reconstructed there must be no

ni Albanians , no Greeks , no Arme ans , but only Otto — on e rec o n iz mans , having but fatherland Turkey ; g ” n — ing but o e banner the Crescent .

of H is words were the fair words a patriot , but be hind his n ow inscrutable countenance lay the designs Of the fanatic Turk t o brush out all races except his

n ow , all religions other than that of Mahomet . Hakir Pasha pushed hi s chair back from the table and stood in an attitude of deﬁance . He gave a short laugh derogatory and menacing . “ ” “ s k Ye , he cried , that is what every Turk nows the Constitution to stand for . But we Of the subject

u s as r aces understand it to mean free growth for ,

as well as for you I t w I who started this movement ,

n a few years after the death Of t he ﬁrs t Cons t i tu t io .

I worked hard for it . I traveled from mountain to mountain , from village to village , from town to town ,

for . gaining adherents , gathering strength the cause

I pretended to be repentant , and let myself be bribed 50 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

by the Sultan , in order to come to Constantinople and I I work . gained the Greeks ; gained the Armenians ;

I Obtained the support , the money of both . And now when the one - man idea has become that of a thousand ; now that the Turks have been taught by me to think , and to wish for a better government , those same Turks ‘ ’ ask me to be a patriot and to let my country be swallowed up by them . By the soul of the man who

ou n ot gave me life , y shall have me and my Albanians ” under those conditions .

a a . Halil Bey rose again , s the other s t down ’ o see how u Don t y u , Hakir Pasha , dangero s it would be for Turkey to allow Albania t o have an army of its own ? Every time you fancy that we are not do

as ou ing you wish , y will be declaring war against u s , and where will our country be? ” We do not need a standing army to ﬁght you every ” ou time y break faith with us , the Old man replied coldly . We have always fought you when we pleased ; what we want an army for is that you should never ’ ”

u s . dare to break faith with That s all . Ri Here gho interposed .

Hakir Pasha , you know that my respect for you is great , but are you not taking for granted that the new government , which will be composed Of enlight ened patriots , is going to be less generous and less magnanimous than all the governments which have preceded it? Surely we have been allowed to have our THE CLASH OF NATIONALITI ES 51

1453 national life since , and why do you suppose that we shall now be deprived of that which has been ours for generations ? “ What guaranty have you , Niko , that those privi leges will be respected by the new government ? “ The integrity of character of the men who com ” pose the movement . Again the derogatory laugh Of Hakir Pasha rang through the room .

My dear boy , you are young , and I am Old . I have served the Turks in every capacity from that Of a simple soldier to that of a grand vizier . And I know that a Turk will break his word politically where he f would never think o it in private life . They call them selves a nation of lions ; but they are lions who have ” been crossed with wolves .

Orkhan had turned very pale .

Hakir Pasha , my friend , what can we gain by insults ? I believe what you ask may be given to you .

T z ava t also nodded assent , but Hakir was not

molliﬁed . “ of of ou . Those are words the two y whom I can believe ; but what I want is that it shall be written and signed by all the leaders . Then I shall read it to the

Albanians , and as soon as there shall be a constitution , we shall be proclaimed a state within a state : ou r taxes for ourselves ou r government for ourselves .

? for Al DO you hear me , Halil Bey Albania the 52 IN TH E SHA DOW OF ISLAM banian s ; but on e Of the many tributaries which shall ” of add t o the greatness Turkey .

Halil Bey di d not answer . He could n ot trust hi s own voice . Into the silence whi ch ensued came the faint song of a boatman . All the men listened to it attentively .

Gradually it approached , and the words became au dible

M y breast su ffers from a woun d ” Whi ch n ever can be healed .

It is my Ali , said Hakir . It is time for u s to

t wo see go . It will take you weeks , Orkhan , to the ” leaders and to bring me the document . i As they were ris ng, Orkhan caught the eye Of

Halil Bey , and a misgiving seized him . Would it be possible to obtain the signatures t o such a document ? f TheAlbanian put hi s arm through that O the Greek . “

o . Let me give y u a lift , too Come and spend the ” night with me .

a e When the others had gone , Orkh n did not re nter f his room . Leaning against the balustrade o the stone balcony, he remained brooding curious thoughts amid the vagrant noises of the night . For although he was

n - of co sidered a pure bred Turk , the second branch Of

had the imperial Ottoman family , he worn concealed

ever since he was a lad of ﬁf teen a girdle , begun

on e . by Albanian woman , and ﬁnished by another

And the story of that girdle shall now be told .

54 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM certain with his own eyes that there were no signs Of a new insurrection .

of The riders held the reins their mounts loosely , and the horses made their way up the steep hills with lowered heads and quick , deep breathing . They came

t o to a little plateau , and drew rein rest a minute . Of

was a sudden the silence broken by a singing voice , young and melodious , fresh and exultant . It was like f some magic added to the enchantment o the scenery .

When it came to the chorus , several other voices joined in ; and the horses pricked forward their ears and quivered , as if they smelled blood . ” They recognize the song , the Pasha said , smiling . The men patted the necks Of their mounts and spoke t o them soothingly . ” Wait here , continued the Pasha , and I will ﬁnd ” ou t who the singers are . Instantly several of his followers sprang from the ’ ui of saddles , and the q ckest them held the Pasha s stirrup . “ I will go alone .

Although fat , he moved without clumsiness , and

advanced cautiously toward the singing voice . Pre sen t ly he espied a group Of Albanian girls seated o n

the banks of a stream , their bare feet in the water , their ’ hands busy embroidering men s clothing . The Pasha recognized at a glance that they be

longed t o the aristocracy of the country , and judged THE PASHA DI SCOVERS A BEAUTY 55

’ that they were working on warriors garments ; for he knew that according t o Albanian traditions the women of the upper classes sew only on the garments Of their h relatives w o carry arms .

of As they sewed , the Oldest of the group , a girl

hi . about sixteen , was teac ng the song t o the others ’ on As the Pasha s glance rested her he became rigid , enthralled , drinking in each detail Of her appearance with the epicurean delight of a connoisseur of female

n o t his beauty . For some minutes he could take eyes from the perfect face with the dark hair clust ering c d about the brows in wavy masses , t he eyebrows ar he over unf at homable eyes of velvety brown . His glance

he i he e - e ﬂickered over t lips , the ch n , t sh ll ears , the

e nape of the neck . He gloat d over her as a miner might

of h as i gloat , who , afte r years search , d scovered end

of less gold . He followed the lines the throat to the bust ; and then took in the whole ﬁgure with ever increasing satisfaction . ! ” What fortune ! Oh what fortun e ! he murmured .

of By the beard the Prophet , never have I seen a head more nobly carried n or a ﬁgu re more worthy to bear such a head .

was t he i The girl dressed in rich Alban an costume ,

r leaving her throat , sister t o the lilies , ba e , whi le the transparent whit e cambric of her waist accentuated

s of the roundness and freshne s her young bosom . As she sang her martial song , her head moved t o and fro , 56 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

of as does the baton a leader . When the chorus came ,

on the other girls dropped their work their lap , placed

n on their ha ds their hearts , and joined in with fervor .

o After the s ng was at an end , the leader spoke : “ in Thus will Albanian heroes act aga , some day may Allah help them ! ”

Cautiously the listening man retraced his steps .

Then noisily he came back . He saluted the young girls in military fashion .

n . I am the Pasha Of Albania , he explai ed With ’ on t o Karad i my retinue I am my way j Aga s place .

I fear me we have lost our way . “ Karad i li e j Aga is my father , rep d the eldest “ ’ i - girl . If you follow th s stream upward , a half hour s ride will take you t o his tents . Hospitality will there be offered t o you .

k n o The Turk saluted and depart ed . He new wwhat he h ad wished to learn . When he had gone the girl spoke t o her companions “ Let Some day we shall be wives and mothers . us not forget to teach ou r sons that the Pasha of Albania must be an Albanian and not a Turk and free and independent as the eagle Of the skies . The other girls bent forward till their foreheads touched the earth . “ ” T ra ah We shall not forget ! they cried . But , j ,

u s tell more about Iskander Bey, and of his victories ” over the Turkish armies . THE PASHA DISCOVERS A BEAUTY 57

While Traj ah was thrilling her youn ger sisters and f cousins with the glorious past o Albania , the Turk who

s on wa now governing her country rode , lost in thought . For years he had wanted to send to the Palace a girl whose beauty and grace should charm and make grateful the monarch and who might also kindly

who remember the man had sent her there . He had spent enormous sums of money buying slaves ; he had watched every newborn girl among his subjects , with ever - renewed hope t hat the paragon he desired might at last have come upon the earth . But so far he had n ot been able to send a gem su fﬁciently bright to attract the eye Of youn g Sultan Medjid and make him desire to add her to the imperial diadem . He had found her n ow in this proud young aristo

f was erat . N O shadow o doubt in his mind that the

t o en Sultan could not see her without loving her . And snare the young Albanian , singing her patriotic songs ,

it s and send her t o the Palace , had also humorous side .

his as The old Turk smiled grimly . While horse w car ’ rying him steadily toward the great chief s dwelling, his fertile brain was scheming in what way it would be possible t o abduct the daughter . CHAPTER VI I

THE CRAF T OF THE PASHA

HE Pasha Of Albania was seated on a bro — cade covered di van , his legs skillfully crossed

Hi s n him . u der fat body was enveloped in a long ,

s . low co tly wrapper By him was a table , inlaid with

- - on mother Of pearl , which stood his narghi le of cut

t . glass, moun ed with amber Although he held the markou t zh n in his pudgy hands , he was o t smoking . On hi s face was the look Of a man who is anxious over the success of some project on which he has set great

n e hopes . He lea d forward and pulled a velvet rope hanging at hi s elbow .

e A manservant enter d , threw himself on the floor, and in abject servility waited the orders Of his master . “ M echmet Eflen di n When comes , bri g him in at ” n once , said the Pasha, not even deigni g to glance at the groveling figure .

u a a a Eﬁen di He has j st rrived, P sh , the slave replied mee kly . “ ” n ! Then , so of an unworthy mother , bring him in

ou t of The slave crawled the room , and a few minutes later the heavy silk portiere of another door was raised f by two slaves , and a young O ﬁcer entered the room .

He saluted his superior with a certain familiarity , and THE CRAFT OF THE PASHA 59

s of s o d the Pasha , a a mark condescen i n , indicate to

h of him to take his seat at t e extreme end the divan . The Pasha put the amber mouthpiece of his nar ghile between his lips and smoked on in silence . “ ” You were due here last night , he said ﬁnally . Your Excellency cannot expect pun ctuality where women are concerned . She gave me a great deal of trouble more than I anticipated from such a slip

Of a girl . “ m When you kn ow more about wo en , you will

of or learn that , whether they be a slip a girl a giant of a woman , they will give trouble . They are meant for trouble . I have had some experience with them . f ’ The young O ﬁcer, who knew that the Older man s harem contained no less than a hundred women , of all ages and sizes , winked impudently, and the two men broke into laughter . The Pasha drew from his pocket a string Of amber beads that would have made any woman envious , and began to play with them . “ how Tell me you managed it , he said .

I studied her habits , your Excellency . She was

of of the leader a group ten , who wandered about

. n o the mountains like wild goats They t only sang ,

ou as y told me , but they carried daggers , and em ’ rrl rs broidered wa o garments . She was making a belt

ou I wish y could have taken her with that belt . 60 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

I did , your Excellency . Thereupon the Pasha laughed so immoderately that the younger man feared lest it would end in a ﬁt of apoplexy . “ ” n GO on GO o ! ! the fat man gu rgled , with a wave of his hand . “ At ﬁrst I thought I should have made her love

a . on e me . It would have m de matters easy But mi ght as well expect an Albanian would sell his riﬂe as for on e of their women t o love a Turk . SO I had t o turn to other means . She was training the other girls f . o o t o be scouts Some of the girls to k the parts Turks , and others were the Albanians who had t o discover

sat i them . She on some h gh elevation and conducted the manoeuvres . She would send the others t o far h s e . distances , while sat and embroidered her belt

I posted my men to interfere with the other girls ,

ou and I tackled her alone and privately, as y wished . ’ She can t weigh much over a hundred po unds , but , by the beard Of my grandfather , your Excellency, she made herself as heavy as lead . I had to tie her hands and feet ; then I threw her on my horse and galloped away . Before dawn thi s morning I brought her to ’ ” Fatima s . He omitted t o say that the girl had fought him like a tigress , and that he had brutally struck her again

had and again before overpowering her , although he

a s t ken great pains not to di ﬁgu re her face .

' 62 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

” Bad news ! he cried . I have rec eived in t elli gence this morning that the Albanians are making

r ready for an uprising . Be p epared to mobilize three

. Karad i battalions The leaders are the j brothers .

are . t The proofs with me They mus be seized at once .

we a oﬂ Thus possibly may he d this movement , and — nip a dangerous revolt in the bud . But they must

n ot be taken openly , lest we apply t he match t o the ” r r mine . They must be tricked , o captu ed secretly .

h lal S e edin Bey saluted and withdrew . The Pasha gazed upon his retreating back and l chuck ed noiselessly . “ ’ They don t cry, these Albanian women , but they

love like faithfuldogs . Once her father is in my power, ” she shall go to the Palace willingly .

s At nightfall , quietly and without an e cort , the ’ i Pasha proceeded to Fatima s . H s dark deeds were

Of al done secretly, and the common people Albania ,

though they hated him as a Turk , considered him a

just governor .

r . He raised the knocker , and let it d op The sound

s wa different from the ordinary knock , and the door was shortly opened by t he mistress of the house

herself . “

- - Os h ldi s h ldi . Al g e , your Excellency, o g e May ’ ’ lah s blessing be your life s portion .

The Pasha entered , and the door was closed behind THE CRAFT OF THE PASHA 63

H ow is sh e ? he asked .

sh She has n ot eaten , your Excellency , but e has ” let u s bathe her and attend t o her bruises . At the word bruises an ugly look passed over the ’ man s face . “ Take me t o her, he ordered . s Fatima preceded him, carrying a mall glass lamp , which shed an uncertain light on the narrow stair

o r r . I t s case . At the t p they came to a la ge oom many

on windows were n ot barred , but they looked a gar den whos e high walls bristled with broken glass .

T r n Here ajah lay o a divan , clothed in a white cambric

o garment . In the dimly lit ro m there were several ’ M echmet Eﬂen di women and two eunuchs . had been eloquent about the strength and determination of t he girl .

The Pasha approached , and ordered Fatima to

r hold the light over T ajah . “ It is a faint light by which to behold so much ” “ beauty , he said suavely . Bring in candles a f ” hundred o them ! he cried in Oriental ext ravagance .

The soft light of many candles soon ﬁlled the room . The Pasha commanded the eunuchs to stand wi th their faces t o the wall , then bade the women open the garment Of the girl . A spasm passed over Tra ’ ah s she j body ; otherwise lay apathetic , her eyes shut ,

. k s her lips tightly closed She new she wa powerless .

Oblivious of her beauty , the Pasha only looked for 64 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

on marks Of rough handling her fair skin . Hi s face grew black with passion at their number . “ ” Count the bruises , he roughly commanded on e

Of the women .

of hi l Upward t rty , your Exce lency, she reported .

ul h And this m tiplied by ten , ow much does it make? he asked . “ h ﬂ T ree hundred , Pasha E en di .

He turned t o Fatima . “ Bring your most precious cloak an d put it on her .

So long as she remain s here , she is the mistress of ” this house .

was When t he girl clothed in the sumptuous cloak , t he Pasha bade all the others be gone . He paced the

n . room for a while with k itted brows Finally , he came

K r and stood beside the girl , and knowing that the a adji family traced its lineage far back to the time when

i of Albania had princes and pr ncesses that name , he said : “ T ra ah ho i Princess j , the man w struck you w ll

t o - receive each stroke back ten times over , and morrow he shall be hanged on a tree whi ch you can see from ” your window .

The girl opened her eyes . “ What will you do to the man who sent him to steal me from my people? she asked steadily .

The shrewd old diplomat did not reply at once . As

his . if moved by deep feeling , he averted eyes T H E CRAFT OF THE PASHA 65

ou Before I have ﬁnished speaking with y , you may better understand the motives of the man who caused you to be stolen from your people . Princess “ T raj ah , he said slowly, you are destined by Allah ” to save Albania . The girl raised herself up on her elbo w and stared at him . Unwittingly he had fallen upon a belief in which T raj ah had herself been raised . Before her birth her mother dreamed that Allah had placed on

s her lap a little girl . A wondrous dream it wa , and rendered the more noteworthy by the fact that the child was born without causing her the slightest physical pain . In Albania such a dream could not be

as of forgotten , it might have been in other parts the world ; and as T raj ah grew up , her unusual beauty an d intelligence seemed to prove her dest ined for some great en d . With astonishment the Pasha noted the impression

hi s his words produced . Raising hand impressively, he continued : “ I am going to tell you what n o on e knows ex cept Allah , and my mother in her grave . I am of ”

as u . Albanian blood , even yo are

is Doubting , the girl searched h countenance ; but the Pasha of Albania could appear very earnest and

s benevolent when he o wished . “ n was of Were it k own that I Albanian blood , I should be looked upon with distrust by the Ottoman 66 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

has authorities . My whole aim in life been to help my country . I kept my secret, and here I am , the ” Governor Of Albania .

T ra ah t o He saw that j began believe him . “ ’ I have learned through many years striving how

ou r hopeless task is , unless the Sultan of Turkey can ” as love Albania we do . ’ The Pasha s words were sin king deep into the heart

his of hearer . Vehemently passionately he continued “ The only way for the Sultan of Turkey to care

s do is r for Albania a we t o give him ou blood , and ” o that Allah meant y u t o do . H is earnest gaze held hers for a moment ; then her

eyes dropped . “ Were the Sultan of Turkey an Old and decrepit man we might have hesitated to make him the father of ou r su ltan ; but the Padishah is a youn g and

of an handsome man , with virtues which y woman ” “ could be proud . Let me see , he mused . He came f 18 39 o . to the throne in , at the age sixteen It is now

1855 , so he is He stopped to calculate . “

- Thirty two , said the girl quickly . ” “ Mashallah ! he cried . You a mere woman and can count faster than a man ! Mashallah ! When my

on u eyes ﬁrst fell yo , I knew that you were the woman

ou destined t o save Albania . Then I learned that y

were a promised wife , and that you loved your lover .

I SALUTE MY SULTANA

68 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

loved another man better, an d that you had run away with hi m? ” “ ” N O, answered the girl . I always stood for Al bania to my younger sisters and cousins . I could not destroy their faith in me . It would hurt Albania . But I can let my father and mother know that I am called l upon to ﬁll the destiny for which A lah marked me . ” They will understand and trust me . And the girl told him Of the belief concerning her which was in her family . “ t o Then beg them to lay their arms down , and wait for your work , he urged . “ ” “ n ot I will , said the girl . But my father must see my bruises . “ NO , the Pasha fervently assented But will he take you r word without seeing you ? “ ” o He will , the girl said proudly . I should like t have my nurse go with me , though .

n o on e You shall have her . Only remember, in the Palace must guess who you are ; and you must win ”

ou r . the heart of Padishah , and become his Sultana

The girl knew the power she had over men . She nodded . CHAPTER VIII

’ M ECHM ET S REWARD

of UT in the street, alone, the Pasha Albania looked up at the twinkling stars and laughed ‘ aloud . He murmured an Oriental proverb The ’ clever bird is caught by the beak . Well , well , that ’ was an inspiration . I shan t have to torture her ” n father . This was o especial pleasure to him . He had rather made up his mind to the torture . As the an cient Romans did , he liked his banquet to end with bloo d . i In h s own apartment he pulled the velvet rope, and to Ali threw this order : “ M Send ﬁve men t o bring echmet here . An hour later M echmet was brought into his pre

f his sence . With a wave o hand , he sent the escort ou t

Of the room . The young man n o longer wore the debonair and f conﬁdent look o the morning . The ﬁve men sent to bring him t o the Pasha at this late hour did not pre sage good , and when the latter said , with a benevolent “ n air , I have seen the you g lady , and I thought it a ” - t o pity to wait till to morrow give you your reward , ’ M echmet s heart contracted . He had seen that play fulmood before . He hastened to say 70 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

I have just heard of a girl whose beauty is even greater than that of the on e I brought you this mom I n g What use are they to me if they are brought t o my hand bruised like packed raisins ? I have no taste ” for dried fruit. M ec hmet opened his mouth t o utter another false hood .

a for The Pasha waved his pudgy h nd silence . “ re h Y Her bru ises a upward Of t irty. ou shall re

er n ceive them back with tenfold int est . N0 o e shall

a of say that the Pash Albania is not generous . I might

r u have equited them a h ndred fold, but I have pro mised that from her window she shall see you swing from the branch of a tree. There wou ld n ot be much

of satisfaction in seeing the hanging a corpse , would there? ” In the eyes of M echmet a glitt er of hatred could be

of seen . His ﬁerce spirit had not been ignorant the fate ’ t o that might come an accomplice of the Pasha s , and i l if Often he had told h mse f that he were to die , he

his should n ot die alone . Of late he had forgotten

so earlier forebodi ngs . He had seemed thoroughly in ’ his master s conﬁdence . Perhaps he had presumed a triﬂe on this . Yet even now he was prepared only he was not prepared for the prescience Of the Pasha . ’ e hi s The latter s right hand , which had be n in

o pocket , came f rth , armed With an English revolver , ’ M ECHM ET S REWARD 71

i M echmet hi s and , without tak ng his eyes from , left I sought the velvet rope and pulled it twice . nstantly e several velvet porti res were lifted , and the room ﬁlled with attendants .

The Pasha slipped the revolver back into his pocket . With the foreﬁnger of his right hand he pointed to the doomed M echmet , and with the thumb of his left , downward . He had given that signal Often enough for the men t o know what it meant . ’ M ec et s hm furious resistance was overpowered .

H is hands and feet were tied , and he was carried to the underground chamber . The Pas ha followed at

is . h leisure It was a large room with brick walls , now lighted up by torches . There was little in it . A table M e hm t . stood in the middle , and upon it c e was thrown

his On a high chair by the wall the Pasha took seat,

of on hi a smile pleasant anticipation s fat features . “ ? ” How many Of you are here he asked . ” Twelve .

is t o He receive three hundred strokes . Appor ”

ou . f tion them between y If any o you , he threw in “ is hi s genially, not feeling strong, pla ce can be taken ” by others .

The men laughed at t he pleasantry Of their master .

hi s The Pasha drew his amber beads from pocket , H i and played with them . s small green eyes were glistening with delight , such as is known only t o the

Asiatics when they assist at human torture . Thus 72 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

Ali Pasha of Yanina is known never to have laughed except when he was assisting at the reﬁned torture

on he inﬂicted the Greek chiefs who resisted him . History tells u sthat when after many years Of guer

t o rilla warfare he managed capture Katch Antoni ,

on he sang a song as he had him impaled a stake , al though his victim was sick with smallpox , which hi m f alone had enabled to e fect his capture . In such

sat on enjoyment the Pasha Of Albania his high chair, i M hm o s ec et was . and t yed with h beads , while beaten Before many men had relieved each other in the

f of administering o the lash , the door the chamber

his was opened , and faithful orderly entered with a letter . “ Eﬂ en di It is important , Pasha , the woman says , ” and that you must receive it at once .

The Pasha took the note and turned it over curiously,

n ot t o ordering operations to stop . He was going miss

i . any of t s delights He broke the wax seal , and opened

f r the letter . He gazed at it o some seconds , then asked : “ Who can read ?

No on e replied . “ ” T his O Vermin ! he apostrophized them . o rderly ” GO fetch Yusuf .

Yusuf Came . “ ! ” i Read h s master commanded . The letter ran thus : ’ M ECHM ET S REWARD 73

I ask of you the favor n ot t o hang the youth . I do n ot wish ou r mission t o start with a death .

T RA JA H .

” The Pasha snorted . Oh , women ! and the tone in which he uttered the words expressed the scorn he felt “ sh n o for the sex . At least e does t ask that he should ” n ot be ﬂogged .

He tore the letter to bits . “ GO on , boys , he said . CHAPTER IX

CAJOLING THE ALBANIAN CHIEFS

HELALEDI N BEY had executed his mission

with dispat c h . He had arrested the unsuspecting chiefs in their beds . When he came to the Pasha to announce that his mission had been fulﬁlled , the latter

his scratched chin in perplexity . “ ” h lal din S e e Bey , he said gravely , we have made a mistake . We have been misinformed . But I think

t o I can explain the matter the chiefs , and send them ” back contented t o their mou ntains . An angry wave of color spread over the face of

i s k Shelaled n Bey . He wa a Tur ish soldier and hated

s the Albanians . But he wa loath to have arrested the chiefs for nothing .

The Pasha noticed the look . Benignly he went on : “ Y ou have executed your mission well , however , and to the faithful I always give a reward . GO t o the next room and wait . A group Of girls will be sent there . Choose the prettiest among them . She shall ” be yours . ’ Shelaledin Bey s face slightly relaxed . A gleam of pleasure came into his eyes . He saluted and turned t o go .

76 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

that . I do not wish people t o say that the women of

ak my ki on are not proper ladies . What age will they be ? f Fourteen and ﬁ teen , your Excellency .

Many good - looking ones among them ? ’ kala The f s pride was piqued . She was also the ’ Pasha s chief buyer . “ I paid thirty pounds a head , your Excellency, she answered with some asperity . “ n Well , well , I did ot mean what I said ; but let ” me see them ﬁrst . In a few minutes the room was gay as a garden of

so ﬂowers , so pretty were the girls , brightly colored

a their costumes . They sala med gracefully to the man who could dispose of them at will . They were

- - bright eyed and happy looking , and their faces were lit with smiles .

He beamed upon them . “ ” t o My children , he said benevolently, two Of

- you will fall a happy lot t o day . The brave soldier

h lal din S e e Bey will make you his wives . I have been ” a good father to you all .

ou So y have , your Excellency , the girls answered in chorus . “ Now, go and face your kismet , little ones .

ou t The girls salaamed , and with giggles trooped

i was Of the room and into the next . After all , th s what they had been brought up to . They knew nothing ' ' CAJOLING THE ALBANIAN CHIEFS 77

’ better . Each clung to her chum s arm , inwardly hop

sh n e I n g that e herself would be the chosen o , and after her , her friend .

h lal in i on S e ed , after h s choice had alighted the

of prettiest them , diplomatically indicated the two

n cli ging ﬁgures . “ My home will be honored if you both come t o ” dwell under it s roof .

f hi ’ From the rewarding o s general , the Pasha s at tention was turned t o the pac iﬁcat ion of the enraged d Albanian Chieftains . A hard task , indee ; but the Pasha of Albania had so many to perform of that type that he was no novice . With great ceremony he had the chiefs brought t o

of him . When they reached the threshold his room

s he rose to receive them . He saluted them a equals ,

his and greeted them as friends . In most affable man ner he explained how certain false reports had led

his him to detain them . N ow, he was convinced that Imperial Master had no more faithful subjects than the brothers Karadji .

He was lying , his four hearers knew it , and he knew that they knew it ; yet the Albanians salaamed and declared “ ’ s b Indeed , we are the Padishah s most devoted u ” j ect s as are all the Albanians . hi It was an even more stupendous lie than s , an d 78 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM the Pasha could n ot let them outdo him without a stru ggle . “ Not only are the Albanians , as you say , t h e most

of of devoted subjects the Shadow Allah on Earth , but I have myself heard the Lord of All True Believers say that he loved the Albanians above all his other subjects .

N o on K r t e Of the a adj l brothers spoke . They

t o could not hope cap this climax . They salaamed again , and the Pasha salaamed . ’ T ra h Then j a s father asked . “ What retribution i s to be made t o u s for this ar rest? ”

was t o The Pasha prepared be generous . “ The Karadji brothers shall be exempt from sheep ” toll this year . Then there will be more sheep to eat down t he ” e grass , Observ d the youngest brother .

The Pasha waved a lordly hand . “ Let this yea r be free also from the grass tax .

r i The Ka adj brothers salaamed , and the Pasha sa laamed in his turn , and they united in declaring that

s there was but one God and Mahomet was hi prophet . After this utterance the Pasha pulled his velvet

re rope thrice , and t o this signal ﬁve attendants

s on d n . p ed , ceremoniously bringing pipes o brass trays

t chibou k- tchis or - The , pipe men , were the most showy

of o cu servants rich Turkish households . Their sole c CAJOLING THE ALBANIAN CHIEFS 79

l hi of pat ion was the cleaning and po is ng pipes , and inventing ceremonious ways of presenting them to

his c i u - t i s the master and guests . The t h bo k ch of the Pasha of Albania had been chosen with great care for their appearance as well as for their dexterity . They made a start ling picture as they slowly advanced in perfect step . Their trousers were a vivid green , their bright red jackets embroidered in silver . Their ex tended right hands supported the brass trays on which were the pipes ; their left hands were kept behind their

a backs . All ﬁve came to a stop at the s me instant be fore the respect ive guests . Their left hands simul

sl t an eou y struck matches , and five flames were pre sented t o the five smokers . Then , walking backward , always in step , they retreated t o the wall , and waited to present the second pipe . The Albanian chiefs and t he Pasha smoked in si ’ r lence . Each minute the latter expected T aj ah s ’ father t o refer t o his daughter s disappearance and i ’ t o solicit h s host s help in recovering her . The Pasha was rehearsing in his mind the expression of horror his face would assume , the words he would utter , and the furious way in which he would pull the velvet rope i and summon h s general . He had prepared the atti tude in whi ch he would order several battalions t o search the mountains , and the voice in which he would offer a reward of a thousand pounds to the on e who should bring tidings of the missing girl . CHAPTER X

WHAT THE PASHA THOUGHT OF HIM SELF

HE Pasha prided himself on knowing the Albani

Kar i ans , yet he overlooked the fact that the adj s under no circumstances brought their grievances to the authorities of a government they mistrusted and hugely despised . When a wrong was committed upon

Karad i o a j , the men took to their arms , and went u t to right it ; and they did not return until this was

or accomplished , until blood enough had bee n shed to

n cleanse the stain . Now , o e pipe after another was

of ﬁnished , and the Pasha Albania in vain waited for ’ is t o t o the Karadj refer the girl s disappearance . He was

f e d his ba ﬂ d , and irritate that preparations should be wasted .

K r d i s e At length the a a j intimat d that , since they were in town , they would like with the permission of the Pasha to go and make some purchases . Meanwhile he could have the cadi draw up the papers which would free them from the sheep and grass toll for that year . The Pasha invited the chiefs to make use of his ofﬁcial carriages and t o return to hi m for the i midday meal . Although the Karadj s despised the

at authorities , they were not displeased to receive tentions which made it clear t o the public that t he WHAT THE PASHA THOUGHT 8 1

Governor of Albania was anxious to curry favor with them . It proved that he feared them . They accepted both his Offers .

As soon as the chiefs departed , the Pasha sent for the cadi , and , to do him justice , did not draw up the papers so as to leave himself a loophole . However , he had the cadi calculate the amount he was losing , in order that he might extract it from some on e else . The worthy Pasha permitted himself a quiet half

his hour of meditation and repose , when affairs had progressed thus far . He felt that he had well earned

on e it . Had any ventured to tell him that he was a

su r bad man , he would have been unmitigatedly prised and had he believed the accusation just not a little disturbed . He lived in an age , and in a

s nation , where certain qualitie led to preferment and power . Small wonder that he esteemed them highly , and considered himself a thoroughly worthy man as men went . H is dexterity of mind and invention , his agility in using his tongue to extricate himself from dangerous predicaments and to further his

of schemes , were to him the powers an able man , and he rejoiced in the exercise of them as a wrestler re

i . j o ces in the exercise of his strength and skill Had he ,

u se of with a niggardly his abilities , told the stupid

truth , he would have considered that he richly merited

the failure which he should expect . From his present enterprise he anticipated great 8 2 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

as s of T ra things . Little he had een jah , and under circumstances not calculated to show the brighter ,

of more winning side her nature , he yet had no fear but

she of own that , if went to the Palace her free will , she would attract and enthrall the Sult an . She had all the delicate beauty of a bluebell of her own moun tains ; and to it she united charm and mind without

o which mere beauty soon palls . If she lo ked upon him

s a the benefactor Of her country , and if the Sultan came to hold him in high esteem for bringing him his favorite wife , t o what heights might he not aspire ? The Pasha felt himself in the full bloom of his i i powers . It s true that h s growing fat bothered him a little . There had been a time , before Fortune marked him as a favorite , when he had been strong and skill ful in body as in mind . But though that time was

his as past , he still felt mental powers strong and

s ha acute a ever , and he d risen to the plane where mind alone counted . The strong bodies of others could always be hired . e One move still had to be made befor , at the mid

u of day meal , he could give himself p to the enjoyment

of his ﬁery Albanian guests . With the sigh a fat man f at the necessity o motion , he struggled to his feet ,

T r a and waddled over for another interv iew with aj h .

8 4 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

she for his coun try . And begged him to marry her younger sister , whose betrothed had been killed in an encounter with the Turks , and whose period of mourning would soon be over . Then she wrote The girdle I was embroidering for you I shall take with me . If I fail in my mission , and if Albania needs your arms , wherever I am I shall ﬁn ish it , and it will

ou reach y , even if I have to bring it to you myself and ” if I have to walk the whole distance . Her hand trembled as she added what she felt he ought to know something which had come t o her own knowledge only a few days ago . “ Allah has willed that my sister should be pining for you . When this was ﬁrst revealed to me , I thought

Allah was cruel . Now I know that he meant me to

his leave you , and in great benevolence he arranged that another woman should make a home for you , and rest your weary head on a breast throbbin g wi th great love for you . ’ T raj ah s pen remained in the air while she wondered whether the ﬁrst kiss he would give would be for her

or for his bride . A pang shot through her at the thought that her sister would make hi m forget her ; but deep in her

T ra heart j ah was a mystic . She extended her slender arms , palms upward , toward Allah , praying that the man she loved , and the sister who loved him , might be THE BRIDE OF ALBANIA 8 5

n happy together . She had ot read the tragic life of the

Greek maiden Iphigenia , but she repeated similar words to hers : “ ” For I am wedded to Albania !

’ T raj ah s bru ises healed quickly . She was bathed f in milk , an d the salve o fresh cucumbers was applied

was to her . In a fortnight she entirely well . There

n o of was t a ﬂaw in the white alabaster her skin , not

n a mark on the velvet of her ﬂesh . You g and exquisite as a May morning rose , she was ready for the sacri

fice . With her unfinished belt , her nurse , and a mag n ificen t retinue provided by the Governor of Albania she left her country and went t o the Palace of t he

Sultan . CHAPTER XII

THAJAH SULTANA

HERE is nothing lovelier in the world than the

of u month J ne in Turkey . It is then that the ” sea and the earth and t he sky bedeck themselves in

a i : is their most r d ant colors then the blue bluer , the green greener , and the yellow becomes gold . Myriads

e of fragrant ros s blossom everywhere . Here they grow on single stems , there in clust ers large as small i trees , wh le again they clamber gracefully over trel

ow ad li se s . N they hold their he s proudly high ; again they bend downward , as if to cares s the mortals who i pass by them . The delicate , bridal jasm ne puts

of it s forth clouds starlike blossoms , and all the rest of t the ﬂower creation comes for h in unison , to offer it s color and fragrance to this festival of the earth .

s f Birds of colors a brilliant as the ﬂowers , o all sizes , and piping various tunes , ﬂock from all points ’ of the compass t o participate in Nature s great sym phony . And the zephyrs , hurrying from the Black

Sea and the Marmora , from the Mediterranean and

on e - the Dardanelles , have but trysting place the hi Golden Horn . Animated by the freshness and misc ef of f h their youth , they rush about the city o seven ills ,

- self constituted buglers of the Goddess Demetra .

8 8 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

by his side , her hand still clasped in the cold hand of the dead . She was softly sobbing with that sorrow

of n which contains more than the loss a loved o e, which contains the abandonment of great hopes .

T ra ah n o T That woman was the Albanian j , w rajah

of Sultana , the youngest and favorite wife the dead monarch . Ever since her entrance into the Palace ,

six sh . years ago , e had reigned supreme She had come to the Ottoman capital holding in her heart the f of . o image another man Then , miracles miracles , a year had not gone by when that image had become blurred and gradually the face of the Sultan took its

e T ra ah place . Ind ed , j had come to love him with a love that is rarely given to despots . And now , while

st ron their love was still young and g, her imperial hus

- old band , hardly thirty eight years , was lying dead . During the six years of her wifehoo d six years in which she had n ot only possessed the ardent love f o her husband , but had shared his dreams and ambi tions for the regeneration Of his country the un tamed Albanian girl had learned that to be a good f monarch , just and kind , was far more di ﬁcult than she had any conception of when she had schemed and plotted against the rule of that monarch in her wild mountains . They had talked together daily , planning

n f r for a juster govern ment , ot only o her Albania , but for every part of his dominion , unhappy under mis management . TRAJAH SULTANA 8 9

ow N he was lying dead , beyond the reach of earthly reforms and hopes . Death had come quickly , cruelly , and the woman remained kneeling , her hand growing cold and stiff in the warmthless hand of the man whose blood a few hours before had throbbed with love for her and for his people .

No one disturbed her . They would fain leave the dead monarch and his favorite wife alone together

‘ as long as might be . She remained thus for a long f time . She lived over and over the six years o her

a wedded life . She saw the Sult n standing by her bed , when she gave him a son , a year after her marriage . He had loved this son better than any of his other

his sons . We shall make a good ruler of him when ” turn comes , he often said .

M ed ld The thought Of little j lessened her sorrow . ’ s Ye , through him the father s work some day should

n be carried o ; through him thefather should live again . She did not think of the daughter recently born to

for s her . A girl counts o little in the East , even when

h . s e is an imperial princess She loved her tenderly ,

son 1 but it was her who was her treasure .

A s on her mind dwelt him , life became normal ’ again . She rose to her feet . With some eﬂ ort she dis f engaged her hand from that o her husband . Bending over him she spoke , as if he could hear her . “ Sultan Medjid , my lord and husband , I swear to thee that I shall bring thy son up to be worthy of 90 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

his t o thee , and when time comes rule over his people, ” he shall do so as thou wouldst wish him to . She kissed the hand she had held in her own ; then with head erect, and noble resolve in every movement , f she left him , queen regent o his hopes . From his apartment she passed into that of her

f : son . Her work or the dead was done her work for the living lay before her . On a bed , golden Of frame , its co verlet of golden threads and embroidered with jewels , her son was lying her son , who was to be a great Ottoman monarch , and good to Albania .

n She approached carefully, ot to disturb his sleep .

With maternal pride , mingled with reverence for the

sh future sultan , e raised her palms aloft and thanked

w s r n ﬁ r Allah for this precious gift . Her face a t a s gu ed by the divine love of motherhood . She laid her hand i gently on the costly coverlets , which the child in t s sleep seemed to have pulled up over its head . A smile of anticipated joy parted her lips as her hand ’ sh e touched him . In her mind s eye already saw the dis arranged , dark curls , the long black lashes , the mouth crimson and dewy as a morning rose , the cheeks white as a lily , yet tinted with pink . She would draw the l as an . coverlets , and he would awake her young His face would break into smiles at sight of her ; his childish arms would extend t o her ; he would draw her

his hi head to breast , and he would keep it there , w le

his soft young body would nestle close to her . And

CHAPTER XIII

’ ORKH AN S M OTHER

’ J as RA AH S nurse , she had given her mistress ’ ’ n o a mother s love , w gave her a mother s grief . She longed for her old Albanian home ; yet she stayed on in the Palace t o serve the little orphan Princess m ’ Zarah . A ong her dead mistress s belongings she

of found an u nfinished belt, such as Albanian women rank embroider for their warriors . When Princess ld Zarah was fourteen years o , and in appearance and in spirit resembled her mother , the faithful nurse , feeling her death approaching , confided to her the f whole sad story o her mother , and gave into her keep ing the unfinished Albanian belt . f In the depths o the imperial haremlik , Zarah

on e t o obscurely grew into womanhood . With no

of love, her Albanian nature worshiped the memory

. SO was her mother , and with her , Albania forgotten she by those in power that it see med as if she were doomed to celibacy ; for she had already become nine teen , and no on e had taken the interest to arrange a

on e - marriage for her . Then day her half brother,

of Sultan Abdul Hamid , wished t o bestow a mark favor upon a rising young statesman . He inquired if there were n ot an imperial princess suitable in ’ ORKHAN S MOTHER 93

age and attraction for marriage . It chanced that

Zarah alone , at the instant , ﬁlled these requirements . ’ e in si n iﬁc n e T ra ah s From her s clusion and g a c , j daughter was brou ght forth and bestowed upon a

Turk already high in power and wealth . It is not Often that these imperial princesses are ’ welcome brides ; but Zarah s husband soon worshiped her , and the love which united them , and the pride they had in their little son , Orkhan , born to them a year after their marriage , became famous in the serai . At that time Sultan Abdul Hamid was entering upon that disastrous period of his reign when he mistrusted

of all those around him . He heard the love which

hi su s i united s young sister and her husband , and , p f cions o all , he feared even the love of husband and

- in - wife . One night he sent for his brother law . What happened no on e knows . Princess Zarah and his

- — ﬁve year old son never saw him again . ’ It was then that T raj ah s daughter sent for an Albanian teacher and learned the art of their em

rlik broidery . With her o wn flowe e fingers she finished ’ that warrior s belt which her mother had begun in the

f n mountains O Albania . She girded it on her so when

ir the lad was only thirteen , a d made him take a vow to

s avenge hi father and be good to Albania . As if she had only lived to transmit this heritage t o her son , the

was o Princess , a few months later , laid t sleep by the

side of her mother . 94 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

A cypress tree grows be tween the two graves,an d‘ t he old gravekeeper t ells t o those who will lis ten to his tales that a pair of birds from the mountains of Albania come every spring to build their nest on that

t o on e tree , and keep the sleeping company with their plaintive songs .

son of And n ow Orkh an , the Princess Zarah , stood , f leaning over the balustrade o his balcony , lost in

ur thought . More than an ho ago Hakir Pasha and

Ri ho T zavat Halil Bey , the Greek g and Bey had left

r r him , and du ing that long hou Orkhan , who wore an Albanian belt , and Orkhan the Turk had been in conﬂict .

The stars above twinkled brightly . They could

t o k have told a great deal Or han , had they wished ,

k l on but , li e all those who dwe l the heights , they little concerned themselves in the troubles of those

e s a ﬂi beneath them . And b low him the patient e p

of i ﬂ apped against the walls his house , wh le Orkhan remained a prey to his thoughts . l An u n deﬁn ab e sadness was over him , that sadness which is the herita ge of those who belong to the East .

His mind traveled from the present to the past , to the two Albanian women who were as brave as t hey were

a be utiful, but who were crushed because they were t oo little and their task t oo great . And to those f h women o the past came on e of the present , neit er

96 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

t he You n T urks Orkhan had thrown in his lot with g , in the ﬁrst place , animated by the spirit of revenge bequeathed him by his mother . Gradually , however , this had become a secondary consideration : the love of his country and the desire for its regeneration had grown to be the dominant motive . In overthrowing the tyrannical form of government , the difﬁculties of the present had , till now, been enough . On this night the demands of t o - morrow were thrust before him . Orkhan was a dreamer and an idealist . He had believed that all those who were working in the cause i of Young Turkey had , like him , one aim , the mak ng of Turkey into a country just to all her subjects . The counter - currents had been forced upon his notice to night by Hakir Pasha and Halil Bey . There were rancor and hatred in the tones of the on e ; there was fanatic passion in the tones of the other . He had never doubted till now that Tu rkey regenerated would mean

Albania well governed , Armenians well treated , and

Greeks sharing in the government ; and all , because they would be contented , forgetting their diverse na t ion alit ies . He who had only looked on the purely

of ethical side the situation , was n ow facing the side of - the average man , Of the factionist , the small minded patriot . “ see I shall the leaders , he murmured . I shall ” ﬁn d out what they think .

He left the terrace an d . came back into his room . ’ ORKHAN S MOTHER 97

or F a time he worked on over his maps and papers .

When he put them away and went to bed , and just as sleep was coming to him , all his cares dropped from him . The great problems of his country retreated . Haki r and Halil vanished and Orkhan found him self by a garden full of ﬂowers and the music of birds ; and she who bade him enter was a girl with golden

of of hair , and her eyes spoke laughter, life, and of love . CHAPTER XIV

’ HI GH O S SI STER

I CEN T sat in the window of her room in her ’ uncle s house , idly regarding the little waves of the Bosphorus rufﬂin g along before a light northern

s n ot t o on breeze , a if they had a second spare this lovely summer morning . “ ’

r . They e in a mighty hurry , she reﬂected Then , “ ’ of : after another long survey them Well , they re ’ the only things I ve seen here that are .

Presently, though nothing in the scene would seem to warrant it , she frowned slightly and murmured : “ ” Anyway , I think it was very rude of him . Her thoughts had gone back to the hero of her ad venture of a few days before . She had written him f a pretty note o thanks , and her uncle had supple men t ed thanks with an invitation to luncheon . In f faultless English , Orkhan E fendi had replied to the un cle , regretting that he was very busy and would be

of unable to avail himself the invitation . T o her own note he had made no reply .

Her frown changed to a whimsical smile . “ He might at least have embraced the opportunity

of to enter the bosom a reﬁned Christian family, even ’ ” n t me if he did care t o see .

100 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

NI illi cen t e z by a young girl . r cogni ed in the man be Ri h side the fair whi p the Greek, Mr . g o . A few mi nutes later the maid brought her their

ik las Pa ari ho ou los M N o lle. cards : M . p g p , Elpis P apa righopou los . ’ “ ‘ Elpis rath er a pretty name ! thought Milli “ ’ ” cent . I hope she s as nice as her brother .

h - As s e went into the darkened drawing room , a girl all in white rose quickly and came toward her . Al though so slender as almost to be boyish in ﬁgure and

e unusually tall , Elpis yet startl d the eye with her beauty of form . She produced an impression of in tense living . She seemed a ﬂame , burning in pure ’ oxygen , imprisoned in a woman s form .

All this Millicent did not perceive at once . At ﬁrst , ’ she was chi eﬂy conscious of Elpis s luminous brown

- eyes , shining in the semi Obscurity “ ” she Miss Grey , exclaimed , I just made my

n be brother bring me over this mor ing , because I came tired of waiting for him to ﬁnd time in the after ’ n oon f “ ’ I m so glad you did . I was wondering when he ” would keep his promise of letting me know you . “ ” “ n I have already seen you , Elpis went o , that time you sprang upon the boat af ter it was going . “ I don ’t believe Elpis will ever quite forgive you for

Ri ho that, g put in , as he was shaking hands with “ M lli n is ce t . She never did that herself, and wildly ’ RI GH O S SISTER 101

jealous . She has lain awake at night ever since , trying to think of some more daring method of boarding a steamer . I fancy she will try to make Cassarino take

is n f the leap while she o his back , and the worst o ” it is he will do it . “ Nonsense , Niko , Elpis protested . But I will confess that I fell in love with you on the spot . And when I heard that this lucky brother of mine had met

n o you well , I have given him peace till he brought ” me over to see you .

was w s While Elpis speaking , Millicent a taking note of her guest . She had already seen several Greek

as women , renowned beauties of this capital , but none of them possessed the u n deﬁn able gift of charm in any such degree as did Elpis . Her waving hair she

l on wore loose and ow the neck , held by a gold clasp .

Her features were exquisite , as if cut by a master

on e hand ; yet hardly noticed them , so mobile were they , so constantly lighted by the feeling within . The hour she spent with her new Greek friends was i to l\I illcen t the best she had yet had in Turkey . There was a tomboyishness about Elpis which was

of delightful , lacking as it did any trace the vulgarity which frequently goes with it . They touched on nothing except the most casual topics , yet Millicent knew that she liked the sister quite as well as she had liked the brother . When they rose to go Elpis said 102 IN THE SHA DOW OF ISLAM

on of We live the Asiatic side the river . Without “ any apparent sequence of thought she added ; You are as nice as you are pretty, and as interesting as you ” are daring . Will you be friends with me? “ l ” I shou d love to , Millicent cried .

on Elpis kissed her both cheeks , and shaking her hand vigorously said : “ Then it is a pact ! And now, when are you coming to stay several days with me? ” Millicent showed her surprise at this rapid progres sion of affairs .

Righo laughed . “ ’ e . is Don t be alarm d , he said It quite un con

i n al ven t o , I know ; but we are respectable, though

lot of Elpis does a things that scandalize our people .

She is a sort of person a grat a . “ k I am very rich , you now, Elpis explained sim “ “ she ply , so they overlook my laughed my

Americanisms , they call them . The mothers and sis ters of marriageable young men are very kind to me, ” “ so and , with a sigh , there are many marriageable ” young men . Her humorous appreciation of herself as a matri

as r monial catch w i resistible, and Millicent laughed till the tears came into her eyes . I suppose you will have to ask permission of ’ ” so your aunt I ll give you three days , Elpis went “ ” on . o Then I will come over and fetch y u in my boat .

104 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

her . One hears such extraordinary tales about her .

t on of s She keeps a s able this side the Bosphoru , as well as on the other , so that she can always drive her ’ wh own horses . That s y they call her masculine , I ” suppose .

t wo One stable being feminine and masculine ,

Millicent laughed . She has asked me t o make her a visit , if you will graciously permit , and has given ” me three days t o reply to her her ultimatum . “ Really ! Is that what she called it? Of course you f may go . It is so di ﬁcult t o get into the houses of those old Phanariots . They must be ridiculously be hind the times , but very interesting, all the same .

e d Thr e days later , Elpis , unchaperoned , and dresse

c . in a Simple linen suit , came for Milli ent “ ? ” May I keep her for a week she asked of Mrs .

Appleby, with charming deference . “ ”

e r . Ind ed you may , the latter eplied cordially

Elpis had driven up with the same nervous Arabian . “ ” is Alh n she This t eo , said , before getting into the trap , in the manner of performing an introduction . The horse pawed the ground and thrust forward his nose for a pat from his mistress . “ s You will meet Cassarino on the other side , Elpi

Alt heon continued as they were driving off . Poor , he

so gets restless and lonely on thi s side , without seeing

has Er me every day . Sometimes for a w eek he only t o rou l g to talk to . I believe I will petition the Sultan ’ RI GHO S SISTER 105 t o let me put in on e of your wonderful American tele

o l phones , s that I can ta k to him every day in his ’ ou stall . Don t y think that would make him more contented ?

She spoke with absolute seriousness , and Milli cent in the same tone replied : “ n t o In case the Sultan does not co sent a telephone , you might keep a phonograph in the stall . You could talk long talks into it , and have your groom grind them off to Alt heon . He could also soothe him with

Alt heon f records of the opera . Is fond o the opera?

Elpis burst out laughing . “ ’ Ah ! you are making fun Of me . I don t believe you consider a horse a human being . on At one of the landings the Bosphorus , a slim

‘‘

- caique , red awninged , and manned by three rowers

zar silk ' sashes in white pembe and red , was awaiting them . “ I thought you would rather go this way than by ” “ ’

m i ro . ea er El is . s w st , p said It only about an hour s A cai ht shi sprang ou t and helped Millicent into the boat .

Elpis turned to take leave of her horse . ”

- Alheo . Good bye, t n dear She put her cheek ’ “ ”

see . next to the horse s . I shall you soon again

'' The caique leaped forth upon the little waves of

r . the Bosphorus , and swiftly drew nea the other shore I t seemed t o the American girl nearer a half than a 106 IN THE SHADOW OF . ISLAM

t o Pa ari ho ou los full hour , before they came the p g p landing . With a lively sense of curiosity she stepped from the boat , and walked with her hostess up the wooded path to the house . Her vague ideas of Oriental luxury were disappointed when the villa itself came into view .

It was a spacious but simple wooden structure , painted white , with red awnings at the windows .

There were several porches , covered and uncovered , and , although the house suggested comfort , it cer t ain ly lacked splendor .

As they reached the steps , Elpis held ou t her hand to Millicent . “ ” h Welcome ! s e said . May your stay here bring ” you happiness .

At that instant a black cloud passed over the sun . ’ “ ! ” Wait ! Don t move a step Elpis cried .

Taken aback, Millicent stopped abruptly . “ ’

. I t s The Greek girl laughed nothing , only I did not want you to touch the house while it was under a

has . cloud . Now it gone May it take all bad fortu ne ” with it ! She extended her hand to Millicent again . “ ! ” Come , and welcome

Hand in hand they mounted the steps , and passed through a large hall up the stairs to the second ﬂoor .

Elpis conducted her guest to the rooms assigned her .

is . Here your domain , my American friend Here ” n you command , and you are obeyed . Au revoir , ow.

108 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM gardens had all the luxuriousness that any imagina

of tion could picture . One them was entirely given over to roses , planted as methodically in rows as an orchard . “ - — of . We call these the roses sweets , and they are

nf raised solely for making that co ection , Elpis said .

of as Here the scent the roses w overpowering , and always afterwards the heavy scent of roses recalled t o Millicent this Greek household and the events which followed on her visit t o it . CHAPTER XV

TH E STEPSONS OF TURKEY

N Millicent came down for luncheon her

host was in the hall , and with hi m three

i ho young Greeks . R g greeted her by touching her hand with his lips , and then presented his friends ,

n in o rls . Ara a t s . at h a e re n M . v , M Sp , and M N g po t is . ’ Elpis s white - clad ﬁgu re appeared in the doorway

- of the dining room . ”

! . T o luncheon , children she called

a . It w s a simple meal , simply served Evidently

a these men c me together not to eat rich food , but to talk with each other while they were eating . Their

‘ conversation was of politics politics of the world hi at large , but c eﬂy as they affected Greece and

o as sh It became evident t the American girl , e lis tened to their talk , that these Greeks , born and brought up in Turkey, whose fathers and forefathers had been Turkish subjects , and who had made their fortunes in the land now belonging to the Turks , were living with their faces turned toward the Aero polis . They were disloyal to the banner under which they were born , but loyal to death to that other one which represented the fatherland t o them . 110 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

What surprised Millicent above all was the freedom with which they spoke of their “ ” she i Ar e you not afraid , a laugh ng , that I may be a spy ? ”

Her host echoed her laugh , but his was fraught with that pathos which is the attribute of the thinking t Greeks who are still subject o Turkey . “ ” ’ su ﬂ erin Miss Grey, he protested , g teaches men , as well as animals , to recognize their friends and their Y . ou : enemies , at once could not be an enemy you

di t o i come rectly from Heaven , rem nd us , perhaps , that all ou r differences are earthly, and that in the world to come we shall all be brothers , with only on e ” ﬂag to love . “ And that ﬂag will be blue , with a white cross on

r n t is hi it, cried Neg epo , caressing s silky bea rd . What is the matter with some red stripes and a few ” stars ? Millicent asked teasingly . “ That makes a beautiful flag , I grant , admitted “ i ' the Greek ; but it s the flag of a dau ght er . The mother must have precedence . “ And the crimson flag with the white crescent ” what will you do with it ? Elpis inquired . “ ”

r v n in . It is n ot crimson , A a a t os replied blood red . If Hell needs a ﬂag , let it have it . l Mi licent shuddered at the ferocity in his voice ,

f n and the face o Orkhan , the You g Turk , came clearly before her. Could he bring about the regeneration of

112 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

S in defeat , if the Greeks dared to how any sympathy, it was bitterly resented . You do not believe that for ﬁve hundred years we should have kept ou r hatred for the Tu rks so vivid , if they did nothing t o keep it alive? ” “ You have , then , no affection for them at all ? i h Millicent asked , remembering what R g o had told her about Orkhan .

es Oh y , we love individuals among them , replied “ her host , and we recognize the many superb quali ties of the race ; but we have suffered t oo much at their ” hands to love them as a whole . “ Still you work with them for the regeneration of Turkey?

Aravan t in os his wa We do so , said in vehement y, because we trust that when a constitution shall be

as granted to the country , Turkey will belong much to the Greeks as it does t o the Turks . A peal of laught er from Elpis made t hem all turn their eyes on her . “ My poor misguided Greeks ! When are you goin g to learn not to trust the Turks . Do you really be lieve that if ever there is a constitution the Young Turks will present you Turkey on a platter? If you ’ - were far seeing , you would work for Turkey s com

let e l p demora ization , rather than for its regeneration .

The Turks may have admirable qualities , but they keep them for their homes and their guests they THE STEPSONS OF TURKEY 113

never bring them into their national life . As a race ” they belong to Asia : they have n o business in Europe .

She pushed back her chair and rose to her feet . ’ ’ Let s have coffee on the terrace ; and don t talk ’ any more politics . I don t wish you to tire my friend . CHAPTER XVI

SM OKING LAM PS

FTER the men had gone away , Elpis lin ked her “ of ! arm in that Millicent , saying , Come Let us go up to the eastern porch , where it is coolest at f ” this time o day .

f r There were long chairs o reclining , and when the two were comfortably seated , the Greek girl asked abruptly : “ How did you like our guests ? ” I thought them charming . “ Elpis made a face . When I ask you a question , ’ please don t put me off with the conventionally proper reply . “ ’ But don t you think they are , Elpis ?

If you mean that they have good manners , and wear their clothes well , yes , I agree with you . But what do you think of them as human beings ? They are my suitors , you know . “

- How can I tell ? I have only seen them t o day . Y ou must learn to judge quickly . Life is too ” short . “ Can you judge a person the ﬁrst time you see him ? ” “ Yes . We Greeks generally do .

116 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

a H ow very Oriental you re, Elpis ! Cannot t wo people see each other without falling in love ? I have as many men friends in America as I have ” girls . “ r Yes in America . Ame ican men are wonderful

. n s they are unique If Orkha came to ee you , it ” n t f r would o be o friendship . “ And why do you take it for granted that if he made love t o me , I

Elpis did not reply t o the unﬁnished question . “ You made more than a li ttle impression on Ork han Effendi , that day , and he knew that it was wiser t o stay away . N ot many men would have had the decency to do so , whether it were wiser ” or not . n ff Millicent would ot be put O . Working herself n Sh i to a bit of temper , e persisted “ ’ You have n t told me yet why you look on me as a little woolly lamb , ready to love any on e who gives ” me a pat . “ I said before that there were many things about ’ f is you which you yourself did n t know . One o t hem that the primitive woman in you if she ever ru les

11 Eff l 1s give you trouble . Orkhan en d j ust the man

ho to awake that primitive woman , and w would ” defend you against her ? “ Y ou forget that I am an American girl , and that h we are capable of taking care of ourselves . I t ink SMOKI NG LAMPS 117 we are more intellectual and less physical than other ” women . For a while Elpis seemed abso rbed in placing the

ﬁn ger - tips of on e hand with precision against the

- ﬁn ger tips of the other .

Millicent watched her with some irritation . “ ’ ” I don t think you believe me .

Elpis laughed . You are already inﬂuenced by the Greek atmos

r . t o . phe e You begin judge quickly No , I do not believe

I n on e u s or you . every of , whether we be Eastern

is Western , there a primitive creature , ready t o answer the call of Nature . If you American women do n ot

is answer to this call , it because your men do n ot

t o make it . They appeal something higher in you , and so t he primitive woman becomes subservient .

But I have seen American women here , and when they heard the call , how quickly they answered t o it .

s as f One , a nice you , from the very best o your stock , oh ! it was pitiful ! And the Turk in her case was as inferior to Orkhan Effendi as a cart - horse is to

. ! a thoroughbred Ah my dear Millicent , when the m storm rages , it is al ost divine in its atrocity . If the

u for primitive woman ever wakes in yo , come to me , ” you will need mothering . f In the dark eyes o the Greek girl burned a light , whi ch seemed only t o reveal unf athomable depths .

But Millicent had become quite composed . The dis 118 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM c u ssion had done her good : it had convinced her of her own strength . ’ ’ El is s In an instant p mood changed . She be came again the laughing , slightly cynical girl that the world knew “ You k if now, my dear , my brother were good

ou enough for y , I should do my best to make you my

- sister . But he is a burned out lamp . “ ” Why do you call him that ?

i who Because he s . All those were here to day

of are most of the Gree ks their class are , and those

- who are not burned ou t are smoking . They start burn ing their oil foolishly from t he time they are very

is young . In a few years it all gone . Every beautiful emotion which God has given them to cultivate through

i is . l fe , forced and wasted in ten years Then they settle down and marry and make excellent husbands , as excellence is considered in this part of the world .

But the girls who marry them are young , wit h all ’ hu s life s gifts ready t o blossom . They bring to their bands the treasures Of their hearts —only to discover that the men have no longer any u se for them . That

- is why we are the race we are to day . We inherit the Helleni c dreams which have kept ou r race alive for

of do so many centuries , in spite conquests ; but we not receive from ou r fathers strength to turn dreams into action . I shall never marry “ But there are other men

CHAPTER XVII

A MODERN NAUSIKAA

HE perfume of ﬂowers ﬂoated up on the light

morning breeze , In thr o ugh the window of ’ n s M llice t room , and caressed her in her sleep . The

n of Si ging birds fell upon her unhearing ears , and slowly , very slowly, made their way through sleep bound senses to her consciousness . She half awoke , an d in luxurious enjoyment kept herself from waking further to a world which could not be so delicious as this scented and mus ical borderland . But this state of languorous contentment could not

- last long in its perfect semi consciousness , and with

sh sun - a sigh of regret , e woke up fully to the bathed

- f morning , and pulled the bell rope at the head o her

The French maid appeared with magical prompt ness , and presented her tray of sweets and fresh water . “ I should like a bath said Millicent .

Mademoiselle Elpis I S waiting for you .

And even as she was speaking , the Greek girl came into the room . “ And how have we slept ? she inquired .

Beautifully ! I should like to Sleep it all over again . A MODERN NAUSI KAA 121

And what bathing do you prefer salt . or ? fresh The Bosphorus is waiting , and fresh water is in ” the house . “ I would rather have a fresh bath , Millicent an swered , wondering a little how the bath would be

a a hr m . n ot b t oo arranged She had seen in the house . “

SO . would I , in the morning In the afternoon

- ! we can have sea bathing . Now , come I have been waiting so that we might bathe together on this ﬁrst ” morning of yours in ou r house . Millicent threw on a light wrapper and followed

Elpis . At the end of the hall the latter pushed open

t o . a door , and motioned Millicent to enter

as It w a small marble corridor , where the tempera ture was certainly a hundred . From this they entered

was a room in which the heat still more intense . I t s f walls were o un broken marble , the light coming f through the ceiling o iridescent glass . A low marble

of platform ran around three sides the room , and there were faucets over marble basins at intervals .

From the ceiling hung three silver candelabra , deco rated with branches of laurel . “ ” What a lovely bathroom ! Millicent cried . Then a misgiving seized her .

But of this the other girl was unaware . She stepped ou t into the corridor , divested herself of her wraps ,

om l and taking ou t her golden c b , et her dark hair fall about her shoulders . Like a nymph from the forests 122 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

h - s e i . of Olympus , returned to the bath ng room She

n went from basin to basin , turning o the hot water . Then taking a silver bowl She dipped up the water and

n im r threw it o the marble ﬂoor , which slanted pe cep ﬂ" t ibly . The water splashed and sang , and ran o the platform in rivulets . From a pile of Greek laurel in f one corner o the room , Elpis chose a large branch .

She broke it into small pieces , and dipped these in the hot water , and the aroma of laurel ﬁlled the room .

Fascinated , Millicent watched her . She was trans ported back thousands of years to the time when

s r Greece led the world , and when her maidens , u

in rounded by their attendants , bathed the Attic streams . Every motion of the Greek girl was grace itself , and her absolute disregard for clothing seemed to the American the most exquisite thi ng she had ever h seen . For the ﬁrst time in her life s e realized that there might be more innocence in nakedness than in clothes . Elpis had not been taught to be ashamed of

as her beautiful body , Millicent had not been taught

M lli n to be ashamed of her face . And ce t , who had

u at ﬁrst clung to her garments with pr dish modesty ,

of now , as simply as Elpis , divested herself them , and entered the room .

124 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

an d You are my guest , I should love t o give you pleasure ; but the real Tur kish women shrin k from

ik of being viewed , and disl e the idea inﬁdels crossing their thresholds . I do not think mere curiosity excuse ” to take you to such a harem . “ n o My object is t mere curiosity .

i t o If you w sh write about them , that is on e rea son the more why I should not take you . You will ” misunderstand and misrepresent them . “ t o n Elpis , I did not come Co stantinople just for “ amusement , Millicent said earnestly . I she hesitated . Elpis curled herself up more comfortably in her

e t o . chair , and prepar d listen

Millicent gave an embarrassed laugh . “ ’ I don t know jus t how to it so that it will not “say sound stupid and pretentious ; but I do not wish to

f ca n ou t of i live just or the pleasure I get l fe . I ha ve

or no father or mother, no brothers sisters no obli

n h . gat io s whatever , and like you I am ric There is

un who no on e aro d me needs my help , and there is a ” o for craving in me t do something the world . “ Americans are very altruistic , are they not? “ Elpis observed in a ruminating voice . They want

ou t . s to get and uplift, the whole world Is it becau e you have so much yourselves or because yo u are bored ? ”

n Millicent frowned . Sh e was ot u sed to such blunt ELPIS ASKS FOR A SIGN ‘ 125

t o ui d questions . They did not seem her q te la ylike ; but Elpis being a lady could often dispense with being ladylike . “ Suppose , now that you have told me a little , the “ Greek girl continued , you tell me more “

is . It like thi s , Millicent said vehemently I l feelthat we in America have so much ight , so much t o freedom , that I should like bring a little of it to those who have none . Elpis again su rveyed her friend with a tender and whimsical smile . “ u Yo wish , then , to help the Tu rkish wo men ? ”

I do .

Why ?

Because they need it . ’ n t They have asked for it , have they? Elpis suggested mildly . “ How can they ask for what they do n ot know even exists ? ” “ And you wish t o see a typical Turkish household in order to learn how to set about bringing the light ” of America to them ? “ ”

Yes .

You . is are funny but I like you . It a great thing to have a dream which embraces humanity . ’ ’ It enlarges one s mind , one s soul . May I ask just what your plans are ? ” “ ’ Iwillicen t Well er I don t know exactly , 126 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

n f stammered . In America I had o idea how di ﬁcu lt it would be . “ How do you feel to ward the Turks in general ? hi Of course I t nk they are a very inf erior race . Did Orkhan Effendi strike you as an inferior person ? “ - o N , but he must be an exception . One cannot ” judge a race from an exception .

Elpis pondered for a minute . “ ’ I don t know that I should call Orkhan Effendi

- such a great exception . Good looking , cou rteous , chivalrous , a dreamer , all these qualities are com l mon y found among the Turks . But jus t rouse him, and you will ﬁnd the barbarian in him as well as in the rest of them . You wish to bring the light of Amer ica to a race whi ch for a thousand years h as been con ” tent t o live in its own way . “ Perhaps that was because they did not know any thing better . “ ’

H m ! is . Well , there no harm in your trying I

or t o will take you , in a day two , a regular , old fashioned Tur kish household . Meanwhile you might read the history of Turkey , t o let the past help you ” with the future . I will lend you one .

The Greek girl rose and went over to the American .

n ul She threw o e arm around her sho ders , and leaning over , kissed her . “ You see , I judged you rightly on t h e steamer .

128 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

Elpis re me mbered the legend . Unconsciously she joined her hands together , and , with upturned face ,

n an d n waited . So lo g intently did she stand gazi g int o. the blue that her eyes smarted ; but no sign appeared .

of x Finally t he tension her po sture rela ed , and , like

of u l an other Emperor Constantinople , J ian the

Apostate , she shook her ﬁnger at the heavenly dome.

as No such blasphemy his passed her lips , however .

alf - - She only said , h humorously , half bitterly . “

ou , r . Ah , God , y have always been more gene ous t o ” men than to women .

Reluctantly she walked toward the door of the house .

As she was about t o enter the long French window,

sk as she turned and looked up into the y , if hoping against hope . But the space above remained serenely blue . N0 Sign appeared to mar its beauty .

F r o a long minute sh e stood wai ting . Then she mur

r w her mu ed t o lines from favorite poet , Paraschos :

The hosan n as of Paradise

Drown t he cries of t he Eart h . CHAPTER XIX

I N THE LIGHT OF I SLAM

RE you ready ? Millicent stood on the threshold of ElplS 8 room , fastening the last button of her gloves . “ ” I shall be in a minute . Elpis was putting a thick veil over her hat Then she opened a drawer and took ou t a short - barreled re

li o i volver . She twirled its cy nder , t make sure t was in working order , and put it into her handbag. You are n ot going to take that revolver with you ? i Millicent asked in surpr se . “ l n e l I always do when I go a o t o Stamboul . We shal pass through some lonely streets . That is why I asked you to wear a thick veil and a loose cloak . It is just as well to show as little of yourself as possible to the

Turks . They have not forgotten the time when any

s — pretty woman was t heir if they could get her . I ” d n ow am rea y .

i was The ca que waiting for them at the landing ,

r n and the t wo gi ls . took their places o the cushions in

ou t the stern . The boat glided into the Bosphorus

of r under the rhythmic strokes the th ee oarsmen . It was the hour of the da y when wise people stayed at home in the cool shade of their houses ; but Elpis 130 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

a wished to return from St mboul before nightfall , and the awnin g over the boat protected them in a measu re f from the heat o the sun . k It was too hot to tal , and the wondrous shores Asia on on e side and E u rope on the other slipped past them in silence .

n When they reached the landi g at Stamboul , the chief oarsman asked Elpis if he were not to aecom pany her to her destination . “ ”

- d . Not to day , she answere We are two , and we ” shall be back before sunset . ’ The man s attitude showed his disapproval of this , but he did not venture to dispute the point with hi s mistress .

A few minutes later , the two girls were lost in a

- f . labyrinth o narrow , crooked , ill paved streets The

n f houses o either side were o unpainted wood , turned

s black by time , and every window wa protec ted by a lattice . i i What curious arch tecture , M llicent exclaimed . ! ” Archi t ecture Elpis cried , scant respect in her “ ’ voice ; I don t see any . They look to me as if they ” had sprouted like toadstools .

There was , indeed , a haphazard air about them all , as if the original boxlike houses had thrown out bay windows and covered balconies under the in ﬂuence of ’

of . sun and rain , rather than because man s intention “ Y s he so e , t y do ; but they are fascin ating , and em

132 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

e was At this hour, however, the squar utterly de

t h e ca ed i sert ed , except for f j , stretched across three

hi s i little stools , asleep , red handkerch ef covering his face .

From the hot square they plunged into more cool , silent streets . The houses were now larger , and there were gardens attached to them . These could not be seen , being hidden behind high walls bristling with broken glass ; but one cou ld divine them gardens be

- h cause fig trees rose high above t e walls , and the f scent o flowers filled the air .

n f From o e o them a song rose into the dead silence .

it s s was - At conclu ion there hand clapping , and rippling, melodious laughter. “ t ’ ? Can tha be a girls school Millicent asked . What makes you think so ?

is Because the laughter so fresh and childish .

r i No , they are Tu k sh women laughing , and their laughter is childish because the great majority hi Of them are like little c ldren . They have the ideas , the aspirations , and the vanities of child hood . i They lingered a minute , but noth ng further came

t h e . of from hidden garden After this bit life , the sound of their own footsteps became oppressive to i M llicent . “ ’ i o I certa nly hope I shan t lose y u , Elpis ; for never ” in the world could I ﬁnd my way . IN THE LIGHT OF ISLAM 133

’ I shall take care that you don t lose me ; but now ’ ” we are at my friend s house .

e They stopp d before a large door , with two iron

n kn ockers . Elpis raised o e of these and rapped several times. The door opened , and they entered a vast ,

- ﬂ re i cement oo d hall , solely l ghted by a window on the stairs , opposite the door .

Millicent looked about her with lively curiosity . “ ” ? is on Who let us in There no e here , She whi s pered . The Greek pointed t o a slender rope coming through a hole in the ceiling , its end fastened to the latch . “ They pulled it from upstairs , after they had well ”

ho . on e n examined w we were Some is coming ow.

There sounded rapid footsteps on the stairs , and a tall young woman in ﬂowing robes ran down t o meet them . Her hair was tied up in a pink veil , and huge earrings dangled from her ears . She salaamed t o the

a ﬂoor , and conducted them upst irs t o a hall as large

s on e i e a the lower , but l ght d with several latticed win dows reaching to the ceiling . A long settee was under the windows , and , judging from the disarray of pillows and coverlets , the hall had been well peopled before t he knock at the door had induced the ﬂight of its occupants . “ of The house must be full guests , since they are ” even using this hall , Elpis remarked . But why did they all run away ? ” 134 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

’ It is n t good form for them t o meet u s before we have had time to wash and ﬁx ou rselves up ” a bit .

They were conducted to a smaller room , where another slave was waiting t o assist them in taking Off

a f their wraps , and brought them b sins o water and towels . Refreshed , they were taken t o an immense

on room giving the garden behind , in which were

. n perhaps thirty women Some were o the settee ,

- on some sat cross legged rugs , and others were

- stretched full length on the ﬂoor .

of All rose at the entrance the two Occidentals ,

of and it was like a field flowers fluttering to life ,

s so many perfumes were commingled , o brilliantly f varied were the colors o their gown s . In spite of its ten windows there was only a subdued light in the e room , the blinds all being clos d , though the slats were turned .

Elpis was kissed by several of the women , and then she presented Millicent to them . They clustered about the fair young American with such frank looks Of ad mirat ion that Millicent felt the blood rising to her cheeks .

A ﬂood of unintelligible remarks followed . Elpis translated . “ t They want you o take down your hair , in order ‘ ’ that they may see it s gold at full length . ‘ ’ ” f For heaven s sake ! Millicent exclaimed .

136 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

” t o on e . sh old ! they repeated another Was e, then , very stupid ? was N0 , but in America it considered necessary for

o u girls t o g to school longer than in T rkey .

One tall , stately beauty, looking several years

: Older than Millicent , announced “ I am only twenty - two ; but I have been married seven years and have three children two of them ”

she . boys , ended proudly In a rather bewildering fashi on the tables were be

w s ing turned on Millicent . She a treated quite as if she were the on e to be made to see the error of her ’ eﬂ ort ways . With an she pulled herself together and resolved to do some questioning in her turn . Perhaps she might implant a seed of divine discontent in this gay and careless household . What were their occupations ? Were they not bored with doing nothing but lying about and drinking sherbets ? They opened their large black eyes rendered larger by penciling at these questions . Bored ! Why should they be bored ? They had bathing ; and lovely picnics in the cemeteries ; and the sunsets t o watch every evening ; and ever so many visits to exchange . Besides , they spent a great deal of time buying costly fabrics and jewelry and slaves .

One of the more energetic went from the room , IN THE LIGHT OF ISLAM 137

of and returned , followed by three girls thirteen , carrying clothes and jewelry . “ ” she These , announced triumphantly , are some — of my recent purchases , these three slaves , and all that they are carrying ! ” But did they not wish to go ou t into t he world — t o be a part of it t o be doing something for it?

Was she crazy ? they asked of Elpis . What did she mean by being a part of the world ? They were a part of the world , and did a great deal for it . They were giving men to the world to ﬁght for the glory of Islam . It was the Americana who was doing nothing for the k world . Where was the man she should be ma ing happy ? Where were the boys she ought t o be bring ing up ?

The Greek girl translated , with mischievous enjoy ment of the situation ; and her friend was n ot entirely sorry when the entrance of singers and dancers put a ’ stop to her eﬂ ort s toward implanting the seed of dis

in content these darkened souls .

After this entertainment was at an end , and more sherbets had been brought in , the two Christians took their departure . The streets were now less deserted , but Millicent took little interest in their sights . She

of felt cast down by her experiences the afternoon .

Her thoughts went to Orkhan Effendi . His childhood must have been passed amid such surroundings . 138 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

’ What would not their effect be on any one s charac ter ? Elpis presently broke in on her di scouraged medi

t at ion s . “ Well , my reformer , where will you begin ? There

as saw were , you , about thirty women there , and only f ” on e o them was discontented with her lot . “ Was that the pretty on e I saw you talking with ” while the dancing was going on ? “ ” Yes . Why did you not let me talk to her? She might have had some sympathy with my hopes . “ Unfortunately her discontent is n ot divine it is very human . She is to be married in ten days , and would be radiantly happy except that the foolish creature has happened to fall in love with some man she saw passing under her window . SO she thinks of

of off suicide , or running to the man whose name h d s e barely knows , an who would very likely be much ” embarrassed to know what to do with her . “ ’ You don t seem very sorry for her , Elpis .

The Greek girl shrugged her shoulders . “ ’ is Love only one s own little affair . We make as much fuss over it as if the fat e of nations depended on it .

It had grown considerably cooler . From behind their lattices women were talking t o each other across

the street . The two girls met several men , and once a

140 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

literature . The Turks alone have lived side by side with us for over four hundred years without even

is learning that the Greek civilization worth studying . You may say that at the time when the Turks con

s quered us , we were a ﬁnished race , and o we were . But it was the Greeks ﬂeeing from Turkey who brought about the European Renaissance . Why have

u the great majority , who remained among the T rks , ? been unable to do anything for them Ah , my dear

Millicent , if there is one prophet for u s and another

is e n for them , it because we cannot hav the same o e . The Turks are essentially Asiatic and Asiatics and ” Europeans have never commingled . CHAPTER XX

KISMET

LPI . S, all in white , stood in the doorway “ n This morni g I must leave you , my golden ” f r k lily. I am going ou t o a wal . ’ ” Can t I come too ? Millicent asked .

Elpis shook her head . “

- N o . Y , I am going to visit my work people ou ’ ” n ? did t know I was a manufacturer , did you What do you manufacture? ” A diversity of things as the economists recom mend . “ And where do you sell them ? ” Here ! Elpis pointed to herself . I am consumer ” also . It simpliﬁes matters . ’ Seeing Millicent s puzzled expression , she ex plained “ I try to ﬁnd ou t what each of my poor people can do best . It is qu 1t e a task ; so many of them only seem able to do worst ; but between them they manage t o clothe me from head to foot even ” these ! She thrust forth a dainty silk - stockinged foot “ Why , you are a philanthropist , after all , Milli

n cent cried , with sudden joy at ﬁ ding this trait in her 142 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

- friend , whose cynical light heartedness had been something of a trial to her . “ ! You l : Oh , dear , no are a phi anthropist you wish to elevate the whole world . I have no such Atlas aspirations . I only manage t o indulge my passion for ” - hi hand made t ngs , while helping a few poor people . “ Elpis , you must ta ke me with you . I consider the Arts and Crafts movement on e Of the most hopeful signs of the times . I should so much like to kn ow how

ou y do it in this country .

The Greek girl only laughed , with a mocking cadence in her voice . “ She e Arts and Crafts , repeat d innocently,

what are they ? Tell me about them sometime . But n ow o an d ou n ot I must g , y can come with me . My poor might feel that they were being exhibited , and ’ n f they might t like it . I have to be as careful o their

That feelings as I am of their health . keeps me pretty ’ busy sometimes ; but I don t mind it . It keeps my ” nursing in practice . “ In practice for what? For the time when Greece shall need t he services of every woman , as well as of every man , against the ” Turks , Elpis replied , a vibrant note of passion in her “ voice . You must amuse yourself as best you can . ” You may ﬁn d this history of Turkey interesting . Elpis went into the hall and took a large leghorn hat from the rack . She tied it on with a long red veil .

144 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

the gaze of the Turk there was a mesmeric force . She could not take her eyes from hi s . She felt that she must break the spell that he was casting over her .

Her anger was roused . After all , he was only a man . What was there in a man to be afraid of?

of she With a little stamp the foot , demanded “ Why do you look at me like that? Why do you not Speak ? hi The Turk slowly waved s hand , his eyes never if leaving hers , and said , as compelled rather than wishing to utter the words “ ou on When I ﬁrst met y the steamer , I looked

as upon you only a perfec t work of Allah . I allowed my soul to drink at the fountain of your beauty to

o r gaze upon you as if y u had been a star , o some heavenly vision . It was enough . I longed for nothing

u k . more . Then Fate decreed that we sho ld spea I

You touched your hand . became for me a woman . Kismet ! ”

Iwillicen t He stopped , and found herself silent be fore this strange declaration silent , but with an unexpected emotion surging through her veins She cast down her eyes ; and presently he went on “ Even then I opposed my will against that of

Allah . I did not mean to see you again ; I di d not wish the love of a woman to come into my life . Yet I

. n was no more the man I had been I was o longer free .

of n The image your face was imprinted o my soul . I KISMET 145

or t o could n ot forget you . Awake asleep , I had think

f s n of you and the thought o you et my blood o ﬁre .

- To day I felt that I must come to this house . I did not know that you were here I had not been here for a ‘ very long time but I was drawn by an irresist ” ible force .

His eyes caressed her as he spoke, and Millicent thrilled with an emotion as intoxicating as it was

n ot t o hi m foreign t o her . Yet she tried look at ; tried to summon her maidenly pride to her aid ; but his eyes held hers , and seemed to draw her to him . Only by a superhuman effort did she keep herself from going to him . “ ’ Now I know that a man s fate is written on his forehead , and that to attempt to evade kismet is the act of a madman trying t o force back the current Of a

u river . What we o rselves will matters nothing . And when your eyes meet mine, Paradise opens before me .

ou t He smiled , and held his arms to her . Was this Millicent Grey who was enfolded in them ; who gave herself to this mysterious force with never ’ eﬂ ort ? his an at escape He bent head , and pressed

hi s on . lips hers She closed her eyes , the exquisiteness of the moment the only feeling her being had room for .

of And then , in the midst her surrender , she heard as distinctly as if the Greek girl had been present the voice of Elpis saying : 146 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

M llicen t Beware of when she awakes . ’ Orkhan s She tore herself from arms , trembling ,

Was ashamed . she really Millicent Grey, and that man a Turk?

He smiled at her rebellion , and made a movement as if to take her again in his arms . “ ” No ! she cried .

ou . But I love y , Millicent I want you for mine . ” “ ’ ! ! she No No cried again . I don t know how I I ” ou ! Millicent , I love y he repeated , as if that were

- f i all su ﬁc en t . And you have told me in more con

n in vi c g language than words that you love me , too . if What does it matter how far apart we started , now at last we have come together? ”

At her gesture of dissent , he continued in wonder ing tones Ah ! do you not know it? Did you not hear your i ? heart call for m ne , as I held you in my arms Did you not learn from my embrace that you belonged to me? Did not every atom of existence in you cry ou t for the life I can give you ? ”

She put forth her hand to stop his speaking .

' Eﬂ n Orkhan e di , do not say any more . Can you ” not see the gulf which separates us ? You mean that you and I belong to different ’ races , and have diﬂ eren t beliefs ? Yes ! Yes ! Everything !

' 14 8 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

n ow your command , , is the one I obey . Before you

of all must wait even the work my life . I love you , ! ” Millicent , I love you f His voice , his eyes spoke to her o a human passion with an appeal that even her reason could not under stand .

t o t o She only had strength point the door , and to stammer “ I I shall never send for you .

t emen a He made her a low , his ﬁngers touching the ground , the knee , the heart , and his lips . “ Wherever I am , and at whatever hour you send ” for me , I shall obey , my sultana . His certainty that she would send for him roused a certain combative strength in her . She drew herself f up , and became again a woman o her own race , with strong mentality and senses n ow subservient a woman whose existence he hardly imagined , he the man of earthly love . Yet something of it he felt ; and she appeared to him

in taller , straighter , and more queenly a woman

ﬁn itely to be desired . Although what she stood for was a closed book to Orkhan , vaguely he felt that there was that in her which was strongly resisting f him , a force greater than the difference o race and

o of religion . He could not guess that it was the f rce ideals born from that new race and religion . The woman who n ow stood before him puzzled and bafﬂed KISMET 149 hi m; yet he knew there was in her the other woman who loved him and who would answer t o his call . “ ” Orkhan Effendi , will you go ?

d . He salute , as gracefully as before “

ask . I go , since you me And I shall come when

n . you send for me . I am ow yours

. s He left her with dignity He went away , not a a

s man who has been requested to do o , but as a ruler of h whom a favor has been sought , and w o graciously confers it . CHAPTER XXI

TH E REF LECTION IN THE M IRROR

S soon as Orkhan Effendi had gone , Millicent

ran up to her room and shut the door . She tried

t o was . lock it , but the key missing She dared not trust herself before the eyes of even a chance servant . She had lost her poise : her mental equilibrium was completely upset . To think that she , Millicent

Grey , of Boston , should have permitted herself to be swept off her feet by this handsome Tu rk should have let him hold her in his arms should even yet thrill to the uttermost ﬁbre of her being by the re membran ce of his caresses . She could not understand herself .

as Could it be true , Elpis had said , that there existed in every person a primitive being, with primi tive demands , and that when it awakened it was stronger than the cultivated being which ordinarily ruled according to the code of civilization and mor ality ? Millicent shuddered at the power of the primitive being within herself ; and the feeling which angered and humiliated her the most was the certitude that for the moment she had been absolutely happy in the

of arms that man . Even in her present revulsion , the

152 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

’ come to an end . Back at her uncle s there was little chance that she would meet Orkhan ; and that she did not wish to see him again she was certain at this instant .

Just then she heard Elpis calling her name , a note of gladness in her voice .

She did n ot make a reply .

Her name sounded again , in the hall outside her door .

Millicent sprang up , glanced desperately at the

she keyless lock , and then , before realized at all what

he she was going to do , s ran to her closet and hid her self in it . Elpis came into the room , and called her name ; but Millicent cowered low in the darkness , and f pulled the gowns in front o her , the better to conceal herself . She heard Elpis go , and , still calling her , pass downstairs out into the garden . Then only did Millicent come from her hiding place , a cloud of shame reddening her brow . She stood before the mirror , and looked straight into her own eye . Wh d y did I hide? she demanded . Why id I do it ? She began to study her own reﬂection with growing

: c hec k interest the golden hair , the lines of and throat , the superb ﬁgure , and then especially the mouth , which curved and lived . She shook her head at the

s whole lovely reﬂection . It wa this soulless creature of WH Y DID I DO I T ?

CHAPTER XXII

BROTH ER A N D SISTER

H E AV bad news for you , Elpis cried , her eyes “ sparkling . I have been hunting for you every where to tell you . ’ ? You as Bad news don t look if it were bad news . ’ For me it is n t . Your aunt is down with scarlet ”

ou . fever , and y are to stay with me six weeks longer “ Oh ! but I must go back to t hem at once and see ” what I can do . “ ’ Not at all . They don t want you . Two sisters

a from the French Hospit l are already there , and your uncle asked Niko if you could stay with us a little while longer until he made arrangements for you else where . Of course Niko told him that I would never

ou let you go . So , my beloved , y are to be here six ” weeks longer six whole weeks thi nk of that ! ’ Slowly the color heightened in Millicent s cheeks . ” I am glad I am to be here , she murmured , sud d n l t he e y shy , because all of her gladness was not for pleasure of being with Elpis .

The news deranged all her plans , set all her good resolutions at naught . Fate had stretched forth a careless ﬁn ger and brushed aside the conscientious plan of a maiden as if it were a cobweb . Millicent felt BROTHER AN D SISTER 155 a subdued elation at this cavalier upsetting of her resolutions . It was not . her fault . She had meant to go home to morrow and never to see Orkhan again .

Now the responsibility was taken from her shoulders , and she was almost content that it was so . With Fate

of u s to aid and abet one , the best are capable of pretty nearly anyt hing .

After she was in bed that night, when Elpis came

- r t o kiss her good night, Millicent emarked, quite casually . “ I forgot t o tell you that Orkhan Eﬂ en di was here ” this morning . “ Yes ? ”

Elpis waited for more ; but nothing more came .

She went away presently, and Millicent hid her “ ” burning face in her pillow . Forgot to tell that

Orkhan had been there , when she had been thin king of nothing else all day . In her own room Elpis sat for a long time by the

of window , her eyes on the cold comfort the stars .

he Poor little Millicent , whom s would so gladly help

she l if would on y let her , and if any on e could help her . She felt years Older than the American college girl , and yearned over her with a love like that of a ’ in mother for her helpless oﬂ spr g. Elpis was a very womanly woman beneath the

she crust of cynical brilliance showed the world . Fate had n ot been altogether kin d in showering her with 156 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

such a di versity of gifts . With a less active mentality she would have married early , adored her husband , and worshiped her babies . She would have made a happy home for the former ; and upon her children she would have lavished an affection which would have continued for them on earth the celestial home whence i the poets tell us they come . But to th s loving nature had been added a mind which nulliﬁed it . Had she been less richly dowered on the on e side or on the other , she would have been a happier woman . After the stars had twinkled down upon her for a

: long time , she sighed “ - I wish I had taken her with me to day .

Another long silence . “ u s But she , a Puritan so different from women

she of the South . How could have been touched s o ? qu ickly, even by him She forgot to tell me he had ” been here ! Poor darling !

of Elpis did not voice any more her thoughts . ﬂi l Perhaps they were t oo di cu t to utter . She remained waiting by the wi ndow till the small hours of the ’

she . night . At last heard her brother s footsteps She

o t o his waited for him to g room , then lighted a candle and went to him .

h hi s - Softly s e opened the door of sitting room . Niko Paparighopou los was seated by his student lamp d reading a letter . Elpis stoo still , watching him . She

n knew that he was ot a handsome man , but she felt

158 I N THE SHA DOW OF ISLAM

’ The Greek s face became livid . “ Has he dared he cried in a voice full of pas

Slon . “ NO, Niko dear , Elpis interrupted calmly . I

u know your right to defend the women of yo r family . But if a Turk dared and I had not encouraged him

ou to dare I should not wait for y to hear of it . I believe in speedy action . But it is not for me ; it is for ” Millicent .

own i Since his sister was not nvolved , the Greek

as became again the re onable man of the world , with an abruptness of change which would have been comi cal had there been any on e present to appreciate it . “ Do you mean that they are beginn i ng to care for on e another? I do not see why they should not . ”

- is ﬁrst . Orkhan my friend , and a rate chap “ I do not wish him to come here again .

n ot But do try to be reasonable . She is a Greek

she woman , is an American and American women marry anybody . And what a perfect pair they would f make , she the daughter o the sun , he the son of the ” night . “ Please dismiss your poetical imagery for a prae “ i of . tical point view , said Elpis dryly I do not w sh

see d Millicent to Orkhan Effen i , and I do not care what methods I employ , so long as I keep them sepa rate . You know perfectly well that the love of a Turk ” can never bring happiness to a Christian woman . BROTHER AND SISTER 159

ari ho ou los o Pap g p had l ved many women , he might almost be said to love all women . But he wished them

on . to be mere physical women , doting the love of man In spite of certain advanced views he sometimes ad

a e d his voc t , he was essentially Oriental in attitude

ul toward them . He co d utilize their cleverness , as he had done in the Young Turks movement ; but clever women he respected and did not love . Clever women di were creatures of the Devil , made for the scomfort of men ; beautiful women were made for their happi ness . Rather grudgingly he accepted the help of clever women with gratitude the love of the charm ing ones .

As Elpis , deep down in her heart , despised her

of his brother , so he , in the secret precincts being , k mistrusted his sister . He could not blin the fact that

he she . s was clever Since had come of age , and had assumed the administration of her own fortune , there had been some encounters between brother and sister , from which the man had come out worsted . He feared

as her and men should never fear women . He w very anxious for her to marry , not only because marriage

as e w the only proper career for women , but b cause

see he wished to some other man encounter her brain . ’ Her brain ! What right had she to a man s brain ? It disconcerted him .

as She sat - Still , before him in a reclining chair , he

Was enchanted by her , nor did he know in the least 160 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM that what he loved in her was the mi nd and soul which lighted the face . “

I wish , my little sister , he said very tenderly, that you were talking to me about your own love ’

n ot . affairs , another s Surely, Elpis , it is time that ” you should choose . “ Never mind about me, Niko . I want you t o help

ou ul me with M illicent . I wish y wo d be very att en tive and nice to her . “ And what if she should fall in love with me? he asked , smiling . “ I wish she wou ld . I could cu re her easily from that . “ You are not very complimentary . But supposing that I should fall in love with her ? “ You mean that you might wish to marry her ?

of t o Well , it will do you a lot good want to marry ’ s her , though you would ﬁnd that to be Miss Grey husband would not be an easy task . She will m ake a ” strenuous wife .

He waved a hand . When a woman loves , it is so ” easy to tame her . Elpis regarde d her brother with a mocking light in her eyes . “ When such women as you have loved perhaps .

n But Millicent is different from those you have k own .

Ah , Niko dear, how far behind the times some of you ” men are ! An d now will you do what I ask ?

162 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

ou What? Can it be that y , my sister , and the

Pa ari ho oulos daughter Of the p g p , are so contemptible ” as to care for a Turk ? Ah ! but I could kill you ! i Elpis , in fur ous anger , wrenched herself free . She was as tall as he, and now appeared taller , as she

e in fac d him , apparently calm , such a white heat was she . “ nd who has A given you the right to kill me,

s ? plea e, for loving whomsoever I choose Have I killed you because you wasted your man hood in your light loves ? ”

Ri ho g was trembling with anger at her deﬁance , but his instinctive good - breeding enabled him to master himself . “ ’ ’ is A man s life not like a woman s , he managed t o say . “ That is what men say ; but I do not see why I have not the right to kill you for such acts as you would n ot condone in me . We are both guardians of the honor of the same name . Who gave you the right to punish me for my wrongdoings ? Who made you master over me ?

a There w s a time when men , b ecause they were stronger , fought for the honor of their women , but that time has passed . Civilization now protects the

i t o- women . There s no difference in ou r codes day, and the sooner you come to that understanding, the ” better it will be for the man as well as for the woman . hi W le speaking, her tone had changed . Her anger BROTHER AND SISTER 163

had subsided as quickly as it had arisen . She ﬁnished hi almost as if he were a little boy , and she s guardian . Putting her hand on his shoulder now she added very gently “ ! Ah my dear brother , had your energy been turned in the right direction , what a Greek you would ” have made . She drew his reluctant hea d toward her and kissed

? is Why should we quarrel , Niko There no cause ,

as o . dear . You know that I am good a Greek as y u

But Orkhan , apart from his nationality , is a very i charming man , and he may attract M llicent , the woman , though he could never satisfy her mind , her i . i i s so s h s . has aspirations Her life precious , He

has she . L u s dreams , and so et , then , keep them apart for their mutu al good . ’ his Niko considered sister s words for some ti me . “ I cannot say that the matter strikes me exactly

as . it does you , Elpis In the ﬁrst place , there is not the same bloody past between Americans and Turks that i t . s here is between Greeks and Turks Then , Orkhan not of the old Turks : he is of the new order which

his seeks to advance nation in civilizat ion , just as the

Americans wish to advance theirs . Are we not rather insulting Miss Grey’s intelligence by presupposing her incapable of choosing a suitable man for her husband ?

i s be And moreover, if she incapable , should we not 164 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

hi t o doing the very t ng drive her to him , by trying to prevent her seeing him ? ” R b ig o, though still angry , was to outward appear ance quite calm and dispassionate ; and his sister , after her recent outbreak , was more gentle and amen

. in able than usual Though her heart unconvinced , ’ she admitted the force of her brother s reason ing .

She hung her head dejectedly .

she Perhaps you are right , brother, said . Good ” night ; and slowly she went from the room .

He looked after her . “ What curious creatures women are when they ”

k do . thin , he murmured , and how crookedly they it ! Hinder Orkhan On the contrary , I should like him to marry her and the sooner the better . A woman is a mystery to a man so long as he is not married to her . And with this philosophical reﬂection he went back to his letter .

166 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

her dowry . The feelings through which the men of other nationalities arrive at marriage are unknown to the Turks . Social considerations do not exist among them . A man may marry whom he chooses , and the mere fact of his marrying her elevates her to the state of a free woman , if she be a slave , or to the rank of a great lady , if she be lowly , and he of high standing .

Now that Orkhan loved Millicent , all other con

for siderations the moment became secondary . He still felt a tinge of resentment towards her that she should have set his pulses t o beating for her at this inopportune hour ; but his desire for her was over powering, and the thrill it caused him more than offset his resentment . That she eventually would become

did . his , he not even question All that mattered was

he he e that loved her , that want d her . This was the supreme fact . With the instinct that belongs to the

Turkish man , more , perhaps , than to the man of any hi m . other nation , he divined that she cared for That

she she would learn to love him supremely, once were f di n o or i . his , he d t doubt an nstant He smiled in contentment . His stride became slower and slower .

Near by was a grove Of trees . He turned into it , and

- t o sat down ; and , Turk like , abandoned himself the contemplation of his coming happiness . It did not once disturb the pleasant tenor of his thoughts that she was an American with different

is ideas from h own , and that she had in a measure THE EAST CLAIMS HER SON 167

hi m repu lsed . It was right that the woman should at f ’ ﬁrst be shy o the man s caresses . It was a part of the

of . game love She should hide , and he should seek .

n eces Women had been created for men , they were

t o e sary his pleasure , and in order that he might b d ’ come the father of men . An a woman s happiness comes to her when she is loved by a man and per mit t ed by Allah to bring sons into the world .

u In a dreamy , r minative way Orkhan mapped ou t his life and that of Millicent . He meant t o make her very happy , to give her all that a woman needed . In his love for her he was already planning the beautiful

ﬂo e - ﬁll house , the vast , w r ed garden which should be

his hers , and which , besides love , would be all that she l wou d need . Once or twice certain obstacles lying between him and his marriage with Millicent claimed i h s attention , but with Oriental fatalism Orkhan l brushed these aside , and gave himse f up to the happi ness of the moment . ’ r After an hour s pleasant meditation , he ose and walked slowly down to where his boat was waiting for

his t o him . He stepped into it , and ordered men row

his him to his home . But now , lying in the bottom Of boat , he left the agreeable pictures that he had pre

of viou sly conjured up . He turned over a page the

of diﬂi cu lt ies . book life , and faced the before him ’ These were not Millicent s nationality , her religion , or what different ideas from his she might hold con IN THE SHA DOW OF ISLAM

cerni n g the conduct of life . Neither had they even a ’ suspicion of the timid lover s fears lest his love be i i rejected . No , the only th ng wh ch troubled hi m was ’ his f that , as he valued li e and Millicent s , he could not dr eam of marrying her openly or even of letting his love for her be known .

170 I N TH E SHADOW OF ISLAM

L ite daughter , eila Sultana , chanced to see Orkhan , and fell in love with him .

Orkhan , who had all his plans laid for instant ﬂight , found himself showered with honors , and was in L ’ formed that he was to become eila s husband . The ’ t hought of uniting his blood with that of his father s murderer was not pleasing ; and besides he had no taste for becoming a virtual prisoner in the Palace the fate of men who marry imperial princesses ; yet he received the announcement with becoming expres

of . sions gratitude He declared , however , that he had made a vow to his mother n ot to marry before he was

- thirty ﬁve . Not even the Sultan would think of forc ing him to disregard a vow made to a dead mother ; and the young man felt a hope that Princess Leila would not care to spend the best years of her youth in celibacy .

was In the latter respect Orkhan disappointed .

Princess Leila chose to wait . Until he fell in love with Millicent , this seemed , on the whole , a fortunate ’ For ha circumstance . in spite of Ork n s continued in

eres n e t t in the Young Turks movement , only o spy ever breathed a word against him to the Sultan . That spy died within three hours , and thereafter Orkhan bore a charmed life , for even spies must live . But Orkhan soon discovered himself to be under another

u surveillance even more rigid than that of the S ltan .

his vow o Princess Leila believed in t his dead mother , A SULTANA IN LOVE 71

and intended that he should keep it rigidly . A

kelardzi trusted was put at the head of his household ,

as as and his every movement , a man , w reported to

s his aﬂi an ced . H i actions as a Young Turk or con

at spirat or did not interest her . Brought up in an mosphere where conspiracy and plots were the ordi

of as nary vexations living , she looked upon them necessary evils , and not dangerous .

As his men were now rowing him toward his kiosk , he was wondering how he could outwit the Princess . To defy her openly was impossible : it would mean certain death for Millicent , and probably for himself . He could not even think of the possibility of two wives , since the husband Of an imperial princess was condemned to monogamy .

N o his w that he loved Millicent , ﬁrst thought ,

- was Turk like , to hide her from the world , to keep her for himself , to enjoy her in secrecy, as a miser gloats i over his treasure . The thought that R gho should see

her every day , should speak to her face to face , and touch her hand in the immodest way of the Chris

tians , maddened him , and roused in his heart a bitter feeling of antagonism toward a man whom up to this

time he had liked . “ I need the help of a woman , he murmured . She

must be sympathetic and intelligent , and of my own

hi s race . He thought of Old nurse , but dismissed her

f l a oun as too ignorant . The image o his cousin M a kh t 172 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

was on e came to him . She the to help him . She be

she longed to the Young Turks Party , hated Su ltan

Abdul Hamid , the Usurper, who had thrown into

of prison the father her father , the rightful sultan , she would help him to trick Leila Sultana . He could not see her openly ; but he had managed to talk with

so . her several times , and could do again In the Pal ace he had found the vigilance of his aﬂi an ced to be relaxed . There he was supposed only to be in the ’ or t o selamlik , the men s quarters , pay pious visits to

- old hi . k his nurse, s milk mother It was in the iosk of this milk - mother that had been arranged the meetings ’ a with M alkh t ou n . Thr ough his nurse s devotion he had been able to penetrate into the haremlik of the ex

t o f hi sultan and gain the cooperation o s cousin .

on Having decided the course he would pursue , Orkhan ordered his boatmen t o proceed to the I m perial Palace .

174 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

hi O . nly that will befall w ch will befall Thus , withi n the precincts Of the Palace many a plot is hatched , and many a life is lost ; and allthese things whi ch happen are only the prelude t o the eternal bliss which will

t o i come all true bel evers in paradise . Orkhan found his nurse in her small kiosk which

mi rad u n ow old she shared with a j , too either to invent or satisfactorily t o repeat the tales with which she i once del ghted the ears of sultanas . Her vogue was over , and she only told her stories to such palaces as

f i rad u s were not su ﬁciently in favor to expect better m j . ’ rkhan s n O nurse , having given her milk to o e who had

e t h blood of Othman in his veins , was entitled to good

she treatment as long as lived , even though her foster chi ld should chance to be executed as a rebel . A mo ther comes ﬁrst among the Turks , a nurse second ,

i . chi ldren thi rd , and a mere w fe fourth ’ of Nurse Saaded s kiosk consisted two apartments , where she and the old mi radj u trained up a bevy Of ’ was Orkh an s young slaves . It duty to come from time t o time and kiss the hand of the woman whose

e hi s . mi lk , as the Turks believe , ﬂow d in veins She had enlisted in the Young Turks movement without in the l least understanding it . She on y knew that her boy ,

she her Orkhan , wished her to do certain things ; and would have done them had they cost her her life . She

- ? was devoted to her foster child . Was he not a male Was he not of the imperial blood ? Was he not tall 4 ON DANGEROUS GROUND 175 and straight and handsome? There had never been ’ a hi s as . hero, in nurse s eyes , so great her Orkhan

At sight of him she clapped her hands with joy . She

his prostrated herself before him . She embraced feet, and rising , took him in her Old arms and petted him and kissed him and scolded him , as if he were still a baby . I It is a long time since have seen my young lion , “ ou r she complained . Even Padishah kisses his ’ ” nurse s hand oftener than my boy does mine .

i m on hi Orkhan stretched h self out a hard sofa , s ’ h head in his nurse s lap , in order that s e might fondle ’ him t o her heart s content . When slaves brought in coffee and sweetmeats , he ate and drank , and praised them extravagantly . Nowhere else could he Obtain such good things as he did here , he avowed . “ ’ You can t say as much for the slaves who brought ” d d “ Saa e . them in , Nurse complained I am only per mi t t ed t o t o have plain ones train for menial work . Leila Sultana sees t o it that no young beauties are ” apportioned to this household . In the whining voice common in Oriental women of her class she spent a quarter of an hour complaining ’ O f Leila Sultana s behavior and of the cruel condi tions under which her Orkhan had to live . The sup a osed p vow to the dead mother , and the heartless sur veillan of ce the promised wife , denied to her young

of lion that which , to a woman her thin ki ng , it was 176 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

only right that he should have, and thi s deprivation rendered him even dearer t o her .

Presently her whining died away . She leaned t o hi ward him and put her lips close to s ear .

But I know how to outwit the Princess , she whis pered . Oh , my lion , I have tucked away , somewhere , — for ou a young slave , wondrous as a houri , and all y , ” for u my boy, all yo ! Orkhan laughed and patt ed her affectionately on the back . “ ’ s k of t oo That very ind you , but I am busy for

n ow. t oo houris , just There are many things for me ” t o do .

aa Nurse S ded began to cry . They were making her boy an ascetic , a Christian monk , and Allah did not like it . Why had he given him such glorious man

if t o ? his ? hood , he were waste it Where were sons

They were all still unborn . Was that right toward Allah ? ” “ ’ ! - There ! there milk mother , don t cry any more .

ou Soon my sons will be born , and y can rule over them as you ruled over me ; but I am in trouble , and I want ” your help .

She stopped crying at once , her big black eyes fas tened on his face . “ an whis I must see my cousin M alkhat oun , Orkh pered in her ear . ’ The old woman s face showed her fright .

CHAPTER XXVI

IN DISGUISE

NDER ordinary circumstances it would have been quite possible for Orkhan to have an occa sion al interview with his cousin M alkhat ou n ; but during the suspicious reign of Abdul Hamid all intima cies between cousins were frowned upon . When the blood of Othman met the blood of Othman he feared plotting and M alkhat ou n was younger and fairer than Leila Sultana . The mistrust and disfavor in

of which the household the deposed sultan was held , though they rendered intercourse with its members difﬁcult , prepared them for the propaganda of the Young Turks Party ; and they became ardent workers in the movement which planned the downfall of the

Usurper . It is true that the palace of the former sultan was ﬁlled with spies ; but many of t hese were eventually won over to the side of this household so ﬁlled with u n

alkha n happiness and romance . M t ou , with her beauty

o n and grace , gained the hearts f ot a few who were set to spy upon her family . And those who still remained faithful to Abdul Hamid were outwitted by those ’ faithful to M u rad s household . It took several hou rs to perfect the plans for the in IN DISGUISE

' t erview Orkhan desired . An Oriental , he did not fret hi . s at the delay He ate dinner , drank several cups of

f u co fee , and then stretched himself o t on a divan and

i . gave himself to sleep , while wait ng

of Under pretext inquiring about his health , Prin ’ aade cess Leila sent two old slaves to S d s kiosk . The old nurse and the mi radj u were dismayed at their com

of ing . Presently their cunning minds saw a way turn ing this to their advantage . Softly they opened the door of the room in which Orkhan was taking his nap and let the slaves peep in . The latter wished to go near

Saaded him , Nurse vehemently opposed this , and threw her arms around the waist Of on e of the slaves ; w but the other , ith a triumphant leer , slipped by her and approached the couch where Orkhan lay . She

. was : stopped , dismayed This no deception this was ff assuredly Orkhan E endi , and as he stirred in his

S ou t . leep , the slave hastily crept of the room

he mi rad u T j closed the door , and then turned l ﬁercely on the o d slave . “ Do you take ou r master t o be a dancing - girl to be gap e d at by every ill - begotten on e who desires to ?

DO n ot be angry with us . Leila Sultana wishes to ” of afﬁan ced know how the health her is , replied the “ slave apologetically . She had heard rumors that he ” was not so well .

And we would have been beaten , the other added 18 0 IN THE S HADOW OF ISLAM

had hastily , we come back without having seen with ou r own eyes that he was well .

molliﬁ The old plotters pretended to be ed , and in vit ed the slaves to spend the afternoon with them , and

ee s the young slaves they were training . The two crones accepted with a smirk of satisfaction . Their orders were not to leave the house until they saw Ork han go away , and they were not a little pleased to have their hostesses play into their hands .

s of When all were eated , partaking refreshments ,

k n and pleasantly tal i g palace scandal , a eunuch ar ’ - d s rived from ex Sultan M u ra household , begging the mi radj u t o go there and amuse a little boy who had been taken ill with the measles . “ es Y , when little boys have measles they send for “ me , the old dame grumbled ; but when there are many guests and much merrymaking they do not wish

own . to hear me any more . I have guests of my I can ” not go .

The eunuch looked downcast . He is a very nice little boy and he asked especially ” ‘ : for you , he urged . He said I want to hear Miriam ’ H an ou m tell about the White Bear and he is all ” speckled from the measles . “ hi It is bad luck to refuse a favor to a sick c ld ,

Nurse Saaded put in .

The mi radj u rose protestingly . “ At my age a person should not have her comfort

182 I N THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

his She kneeled down and took shoes off . She wrapped the strips of white cloth about his legs till

as they were as fat and bulky her own . Then she dressed him in voluminous petticoats , put on the

ashmak outer y , and ﬁnally enveloped his head in

of yards and yards yellow gauze . Secretly she con

on gratulated herself her vanity , which made her al

of ways thus conceal from sight the ravages time .

o It is fortunate I was tall when I st od up straight .

ou But y must bend well over and not forget . Now,

. SO ! l take this stick and imitate my walk On y slower .

is h It the young who have plenty of time w o walk fast . ! i ” Ah that s better . ’ When Orkhan s performance satisﬁed his critical

he s . teacher , kissed him , and gave him her blessing “ If it is preordained that we should be discovered , ” o ? she wh can help that ended with a sigh .

Orkhan tottered forth into the sunshine , beside the ’ S eunuch , while Leila Sultana s pies were sipping sher bets with Nurse Saaded .

his on old mi rad u his In place the divan lay the j ,

n coat o , his fez pulled down over her face and the coverlet drawn up to her chin , tranquilly waiting to learn what Allah had ordained should happen t o her next . CHAPTER XXVII

M ALKH A TOUN

N one of the group of gilded palaces forming the

imperial residence , lived the family of Su ltan M a

nf was rad , the u ortunate prince who deposed shortly after his accession to the throne , and who was re t ain ed in solitary conﬁnement as insane until he died . Sultan Abdul Hamid had always watched this house hold With suspicious eyes . So long as Sultan Murad — lived , who might easily become sane again , were o there a successful revoluti n in his behalf , it was a

m t o . enace his reign Afterwards , its members living quietly , united by their misfortunes , it caused him little uneasiness , and he began to view it more len

n l it s n x ie t y , and even at times made members u e pect ed gifts of extra money . Among the daughters and granddaughters of Murad were several renowned for their loveliness . Pearl

n among them all was M alkhat ou , who was now sitting alone in her room , her guitar by her side, and nu merou s books in French and English scattered over the

she velvet carpet which covered her divan . But was

. on not playing or reading She was Sitting the divan , looking ou t thr ough the gilded lattices into the garden

which surrounded her prison , and dreaming of the 18 4 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

- e - of sad Might b and the May not , the paradise, or the , monotonous years before her , as youth will always t wo dream . During the last years there had been times when she had been very happy , aiding her for mer playfellow Orkhan in hi s work for the Young

who Turks Orkhan , never noticed that she h ad grown to be a woman . And in a year she was destined to become the bride of another cousin . She glanced m down at her slender hands . A ong the many rings on them was on e whose yellow stone borrowed its color

as from a liquid it contained . It w only a drop , but that drop could save M alkhat oun from a hateful fate .

n She twirled the ring around o her finger . You ” “ n e she precious o , murmured , how dear you are ” t o me ! Her glance fell on a bent figure and two slaves com ing toward her palace . At first she did not even feel idle curiosity concerning them . Then she leaned for ward , her breath came fast , and the color flickered over her cheeks . “ es ! ! ho I s it Y , it is he Oh w risky in broad day ! light . How well disgui sed he is . Allah guard him Allah be with him ! ” She did not take her eyes from him until he passed ou t of sight around the corner of the house . Then she

e rose , went into an inner room , and stood befor her

was mirror . It told her once more that there no ﬂaw

' 18 6 IN THE S HADOW OF ISLAM

H e come to your work cabinet . is there waiting for

is on you . The whole line guard , and he will be safe so ” long as he is in thi s house . Although M alkhat ou n had seen him comi ng and had been making ready for him , now she trembled like a leaf in the Wind . Go say I I am coming ; but ﬁrst bring ” bring me a glass of water .

Alone she tried to stop the beating of her heart . Do,

so . foolish heart , stop beating hard He may hear thee and then he might guess and never come again ! “ She walked up and down the room . Foolish little

n ot heart , thou dost wish to betray thy secret and be scorned ? For even he may be cruel where he does not ” love .

Her milk - sister brought her the glass of water ; and then quietly and composedly M alkhat ou n went into her work cabinet .

e . She salaamed to the ﬂoor , and he salaam d low She repeated the salutation , and so did he . “ ” “ Be seated , my cousin , she said . I am very happy to see you here . But , my cousin , in broad daylight , ought you to risk your life thus ? ” “ - M alkhat ou n . I had to see you , , to day I had great ” need of you . “ You command , my cousin , and I obey .

To - day I am not come to you for the movement . ” I come to see you on a personal matter . M ALKHATOUN 18 7

’ Under her cloak the girl s ﬁngers were intertwined . “ ” I am always ready t oserve you .

Orkhan came to the point at once .

lkhat ou n ou M a , y are perhaps too secluded and too young yet to know that there is a time when a man’s heart Speaks a name , and his whole being hears no ” thing else . ’ M alkhat ou n s head drooped . A pallor overspread her face . She could hear her heart beating , and it seemed as if it would suffocate her . “

h ou n has . M alk at , my heart spoken I love a wo ” man .

t o He drew nearer her , and for a brief instant a mad ’ hOpe rushed through the girl s heart . “ Yo The girl I love is an American . u know that I cannot marry her Openly without endangering her

r . life , but mar y her I must

Gasping , the girl battled against her emotions . They were like gigantic waves engulﬁng her . But Orkhan saw nothing of this . He went on talking as only a lover does , when he speaks o f her he has just begun t o love . The unconsciousness of his cruelty alone saved

M alkh at ou n . sh Her head averted e listened to him ,

she and when he ceased said , naturally and quietly : ” is of ? What it you wish me , my cousin I have come to you because I feel that you will ” help me . Tell me what I must do to get her . 188 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

n hi s t o In her ow anguish , coming her for help was some comfort . She thought awhile . Can she not wait till the movement is successful ? ” Then you can marry her openly . “ h It I s I w o do not wish to wait . I love her I d want her to be mine at once . You o not know what ” is M alkh at ou n or ou love , , y would not ask .

n o The girl smiled . He did t know the greater love which cou ld wait and serve . But he had come to her for help and she must give it t o him . She was sur

she prised how rapidly and clearly cou ld thi nk . “ It is risky but it can be done . I can buy her as a slave and bring her here . I will make a home for your

Wife and guard her for you . Of co urse you could not see her as oft en as you would like ; but she would be ” yours . ’ Orkhan kneeled and kissed the hem of t he girl s gown . “ I knew you would help me , M alkhat ou n . H OW soon can you make the arrangements ? What is your ” idea of the way you will buy her? “ In a few days M riam Kalfa is going to the Bulga

f Bu l arian on t en e rian frontier, where a number o g , M

for grin , and Servian girls will be brought to her selec

n i l tion . She is to buy a co s derab e nu mber , both for the

ul Palace and for some of ou r houses . The S tan gave me a su m of money ten days ago . I shall ask permis

o sion t buy a slave . That slave could be she .

190 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

as M alkh When Orkhan w gone , at ou n fell face down ward on the couch . The effort she had made to dis

his guise her feelings in presence had exhausted her .

She wept like a child , but even in her misery she was saying to herself : He came to me t o ask me to give him his happi him I ness . And I shall give it t o ; yes , shall give ” it to him . She brought the ring with the yellow stone fervently to her lips . “ And after I have done for him all that I can , then

ou y , little drop , will come t o give me rest from sor

row. CHAPTER XXVIII

TH E M ESSAGE OF THE CYPRESS TREES

HE red disk of the sun had just disappeared be

of i hind the hills the Bosphorus , leav ng the

of h world bathed in an afterglow yellow light . As if is departure liberated the breezes , they came rushing in from the surrounding seas , and Constantinople breathed again . One could almost hear her sigh . The blanket of heat which had enveloped her all day long was lifted , and the children of the inland winds , travel ing over hill and meadow, were caressing and soothing her scorched brow . “ They are coming ! ” cried Elpis the winds are ’ ! coming Don t you feel them , dear? There is life again in the air . The two girls had been lying on long canvas chairs

a under a venerable o k tree . Millicent raised herself

S on e from her reclining posture to a itting , and ex tended her arms toward the river to feel the coming coolness better . “

h s . has It a been a horrible day, Elpis It taken all ” my strength and vitality . A softness had come over the American girl in the

as last few days . In her eyes there w that pathetic look one sometimes sees in dogs , as if at the dumbness 192 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

whi ch will not let them put their love into words . She

: - c on ﬁden was a changed Millicent her self ce was gone,

on e e - c on ﬁden ce and when los s self , the earth on which

t e on e has s ood with such assurance los s its solidity .

was In her gentler state she more lovable . When Elpis spoke t o her she gave t o her voice all the ten

she of derness felt, as if afraid hurting her by the slightest hard sound . Elpis leaned over and put her hand caressingly on ’ Millicent s arm . “ Yes , dear, it has been very hot, and it is only the t ﬁfth day . For wo months there will be oppressive heat in the daytime, coolness after sunset . I believe that in July and Augu st Vulcan transfers his forges

n ot and his cyclops from the regions below, to Mount

on t . Etna , but here the hills around Cons antinople I can feel the heat of his furn aces and hear the noise of

of his anvils . Still the gods Olympus are good to give us cool nights . “ h I understand now , Millicent moaned , w y peo ple become enervated here . The heat consumes their energy and burns up their ambition . “ Perhaps . Even the Turks are no longer the war like race they once were . It only took a few genera tions here for the sultans no longer to lead their troops in battle ; and the as hi rs came back from war de ” feated . Elpis often led the conversation around t o the Turks

194 IN T H E SHADOW OF ISLAM

Only Diana never did , you know , Millicent re plied lightly, yet averting her face . ”

- Well , good bye, Elpis said , giving the other a pat . ’ ” Don t stay out too long .

as was t o AS soon her friend lost sight , the Greek girl clapped her hands . When she had gone in for the scarf , she had given an order , and now a man re spon ded instantly to the signal . He was tall and sol

dierl . hi y He held his Albanian cap in his hand , but s

u f attitude was not that of a servant , b t o an ofﬁcer toward his queen .

e Elpis pointed in the dir ction Millicent had gone . “ That way, Mitro , and as you are to see that no

t o k thing happens her, she is not to now that you fol ” low her .

The man gave a military salute , and without a word obeyed .

Elpis stood watching his catlike tread , which is char

ic of l o a ct erist the A banians , be they Greeks r Turks . They walk as if they are climbing the hills of their

o brave country t engage in guerrilla warfare . “ ” “ There is a man ! murmured Elpis . He is brave and uncivilized I wonder how many Turks he has

e killed , without being in the least troubl d by their ghosts . If half the Greeks were like him , we should be ”

- masters here to day . With her hands behind her back she paced up and

n n l dow , her thoughts again o M licen t . MESSAGE OF THE CYPRESS TREES 195

“ ! ” “ ! ’ Be brave , child she whispered ; be brave Don t let the son of Aphrodite become your tyrant . How hard the ﬁght comes to those Puritans I suppose because all their suppressed generations of ancestors rise within them in rebellion . My poor Millicent ! Will she come ou t of it unharmed ?

She leaned down and plucked a rose fro m its stem , “ off on e on e and pulling its petals , by , asked : Will she ? Will she not ? Through a thick hedge of little pines a young Greek appeared . “ ? Will who , Miss Elpis he asked , an acute note of jealousy in his musical voice . “ ! is o ? Oh it y u , Euripides Welcome , my friend , and Elpis held ou t her rose - scented hand to him

on on e his Dropping knee , he bent uncovered head and kissed her hand . About whom were you asking? he repeated again jealously . If you were a more careful eavesdropper you would

‘ ’ she? she ? have heard me say , Will Will not ll Euripides St e os made a slight grimace , even while perceptible relief showed in his eloquent black eyes . “ A woman ! You are always thinking about ” women .

old Elpis clapped her hands , and to the butler who appeared she said : “ masticha Bring us some , some bread , olives , and 196 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

d ’ l dried ﬁsh An , Euripides , let s pu l the chairs ou t in the open . El ’ Even before the butler reappeared , pis s old nurse came ou t and covered her with a bournous . She took her seat at some little distance from the girl she had nursed . She could not hear the conversation , but she

on . could keep an eye her darling Calypso , like Mitro , was primitive . “ Why do you always think of women ? the young man demanded . “ n e I ﬁnd them more interesting, for o thin g . And for another? ”

of More capable aspirations . More capable of aspirations ! An d have I not been aspiring ever since you grew to be a woman ? ”

as i of his There w no mistak ng the force feeling .

for m i She felt sorry him , yet a whi sical sm le came t o her lips . “ I mean aspiration t o help humanity not to get ’ ” something for one s self . “ on e t o on e But when begins aspire , ﬁrst aspires for ’ ou one s self , and then for others . When y ﬁll my heart

d ho of and my soul and my min , w can I think human ’ ’ if on on e n ot ity ? Surely one s home were ﬁre , could ’

of . ou think his neighbor s house Elpis , I love y you know I have loved you for the last ﬁve years . I have waited , dreamed , hoped that some day you would be ? ” mine . Will you never learn to love me, Elpis

“ “ 198 I N THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

she into a glass , ﬁlled it up with water and presented it to her guest . She prepared another glassful for her self , and held it up to the light and watched it s Opales cent colors . The butler placed his tray on a stool and went away .

mast icha The girl touched the with her lips , and in haled its aromatic ﬂavor . “ ” What an infantile drink ! she said . It is indeed ” o the emblem f ou r race . “ o a nf You do not call ur r ce i antile , Elpis ? the young man protested . Not infantile in the sense of being on the threshold of life , because that contains a future , and is rich in

i . nf of prom se But i antile the second kind , which has no other hope but the grave and oblivion . My dear

Euripides , there was a time when the Greek youths did not pine away for love . They accomplished deeds m which made their fatherland im ortal . In this way ” they won the love of the maidens . “ ” Those were other times , said he rather feebly . ” And what has changed the times ? Elpis cried pas “ - sion at ely . Surely there are as great deeds to day waiting to be done as those accomplished by former youths . It is the men who have changed , not the our times . Listen , the air is ﬁlled with the call for ! ” youths . Listen

Elpis leaned forward , her foreﬁnger raised , her lips parted , her head half turn ed , like some young priest MESSAGE OF THE CYPRESS TREES 199

of ess who hears the call the gods . And breathless u n der her spell , Euripides also strained his ears for the call . But the only sound that came to him was the sough ing of the wind .

It is the cypress trees , he said . The wind is blow ” ing through them .

of In a rapt voice , like that the ancient vestals of the

he : Oracles , s replied “ It is the cypress trees , Euripides , but they are de ’ L ! liveri ng a message . isten Don t you hear? The e souls of the great dead Gr eks are speaking . Listen ! ’ ‘ ’ D r ? R ! on t you hea ise , slave Greeks , rise they ” say . A pallor overspread the features of Euripides Stel

. V los . A heaving sigh raised his chest oices mute till

- then whispered half forgotten patriotic songs . Some

a his - thing immort l stirred within self indulgent sou l .

t oo . For the moment he , , was a hero “ What can we do ? What must we do ? We are but a downtrodden race .

We are that because we deserve it . We have intel i en ce : lg enough , patriotism enough what we lack is

of will , courage , and clean living on the part our men . ff . o Let u s wake up , Euripides Let us throw the Mus su lman yoke . We have worn it too long . We were con quered by others before ; but they passed off the face of the earth and we still live . Race aft er race has 200 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM vanished and we remain because those who ﬁrst ” gave u s life intermarried with the gods . “ Yes and once we did succeed again st the ” Turks , he put in eagerly, succeeded with small irregular bands , against an army stronger than it is ” now . “ But what have we done since we wrenched back that small part of our old empire? Better never have succeeded than have shown the world how little worthy of free dom we were . What have we done in that free Greece in the almost hundred years of its freedom ? Look at our government ! Look at our army ! Think of the war of 18 97 . What a disgrace it ” was ! “ e ou But sur ly , Elpis , y know that we were be t rayed . The King made war because the Greeks forced him to ; but secretly he was keeping his promise to the

r Powers that the e should be no ﬁghting . The army marched ou t , but the only order his son commanding

Ret reat ! Ret re it ever gave was , always at ! “ And if the head of ou r army was the son of the son of a Danish king , were not the ofﬁcers Greeks ? Why did they not kill their dishonorable prince and ﬁght

h n ﬁght till t ey had wo , or were dead ? After that ‘ war , we might have cried , All is lost except the ’ army !

The young man hung his head . “ Elpis continued : There are million s of Greeks liv

CHAPTER XXIX

THERE I S N O GOD BUT GOD

ILLI CENT walked away rapidly from the

as Paparighopou los grounds . Her mind w

ﬁlled with fear . Fate had taken a hand in the game and was forcing her to stay here where she might again meet the man she most dreaded meeting . Yet this was not the fear which oppressed her : it was terror at the rejoicing in her own heart that she was forced t o stay .

The days had grown hotter and longer . In the cool of the evening her hosts took her t o see everything that was interesting in Constantinople . They told

of her bits its history when it had been Byzantium , or the Eastern Empire , and of the outrages it had suf fered under the short rapacious sway of the Crusaders and again after it had fallen under the Turkish yoke .

Millicent gave her attention , and tried to give her interest . She tried to appear the mentally alert girl she had always been ; but inwardly she was possessed by a strange passion , which made her every day more fearfu l of herself .

T o O Elpis , Millicent never spoke of rkhan , and the

of Greek girl , obeying the unexpressed wish her

n l guest , did not mention him , although she ofte ed THERE IS NO GOD BUT GOD 203 the conversation to subjects that would have made it natural to speak of him . She hoped that Millicent ﬁ f would con de in her , and receive the com ort which comes from giving utterance to our troubles ; but Mil

she licen t never spoke . To herself ﬁercely declared

n o that she would be the conqueror of herself , matter how severe the battle might be . Yet as time passed , she did not grow more conﬁdent . Indeed , she found herself incapable of thinking of anything except Ork

she han . At times even gave herself up willingly t o the intoxicating memory of the few moments when nothing had mattered except the fact that she loved him . She grew thinner and paler , and did not carry i her head with t s former independent bearing . She became humbler from her repeated failures to be mis tress of herself and of her thoughts . After each defeat she gathered her forces together with dogged cour age , only to suffer defeat , again and again .

Environment , atmospheric and social , had much t o do with this . In Turkey the climate in summer for

c bids wholesome exercise , and the ruling ra e looks

n upon love as the o e great element in life . This atti tude seems to be in the very air . The Greek women

Pa ari ho u los whom she met at the p g po villa , and those she met outside with Elpis , seemed to have but on e thought love . Poor Millicent was never permitted to forget this great force for a single day . Had she

o n been in her w country , where men and women live 204 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

t - i - a less sensuous , a more intellectual and ou o door

n ot so life , and where even the greatest heat is devoid of a bracing quality , She would probably have found

hu her struggle less tragic , more commonplace and

N ow man . , in her overwrought condition , she thought too much about her heart and the primeval demands

' Orkhan Efl en di had not come to the house since the fateful day when he had kissed her and set her heart on fir e . Yet every step she heard filled her with hi apprehension , lest it should be s and each time

o that it was not , cold disappointment took the place f h apprehension . Sometimes s e told herself that she wished t o see him , to prove to herself that she would be strong in his presence . Again she entertained no doubts but that she was in love with Orkh an the

Turk . But how much was that love t o rule her life? “ ou for When y will send me I will come, he had said , certain that she would send for him . Now, as she

of walked up the picturesque hills the Bosphorus , she ﬂushed with indignation at the supposition that h s e t o . , Millicent Grey , should send for him come His arrogant assumption ﬁlled her with rage . She made an effort to change the current of her

of . thoughts , to think the things about her She forced her attention t o the wild ﬂowers growing by the road side . She stooped and picked a kind of bluebell , and

of another an exquisite pale green , fashioned as

206 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

of ﬂying thoughts her brain . At the summit she stopped and leaned against a tree , facing but not seeing the wonderful panorama of hills and water and city before her . The long twilight had spread it s wings ‘ f over the banks o the Bosphorus . The hills were tinted with the yellow , green , and pink of the afterglow . The minarets , slim and graceful , and ever aspiring to be

of . the ﬁrst at the feet Allah , were beckoning to the girl

She breathed deeply , and gradually a peace descended upon her , and she ceased from her troubled thoughts . On the t op of a mi naret a muezzin appeared to call

H is the faithf ul to prayer . voice carried sweet and melodious across the housetops and reached up even

o . t Millicent . She listened She knew what he was saying ; for Elpis had explained the words t o her “ There is no other god but God and a pang shot ’ thr ough the girl s heart . Of late she had learned to

on e of pray not the prayers says as a matter course , remnant habit of childhood , but the prayers which the soul makes for itself in its need . The young muezzin continued chanting There is ” n o od God his mf t g but , but words brought no co ort o “ ” “

icen . ! hI ill t One God she thought , there must be

f has millions of gods . Each o us a god in him , which is his highest ideal ; and t his god clashes with all the ” other gods .

of While she thought of gods and men , the yellow light little by little was succeeded by a soft gray , THERE IS NO GOD BUT GOD 207

which hung over the landscape like a light mist , mes

of senger of the approach night .

Reluctantly Millicent started down . Already she had stayed longer than she ought . Halfway down the

as of hill w a grove young cypress trees . When she

al reached it , the caprice took her to go through it , though Elpis had cautioned her against these groves , so innocent in appearance, yet so dangerous after nightfall . Millicent was in no mood for caution . She plunged straight into the grove . The slender summits of the cypresses at once shut her Off from outside

as view . It w darker here , and a foreboding came over her . Her pride would not let her turn back , but she walked on as fast as she could through the thick trees .

Presently She thought she heard footsteps . She

n she hurried o , anxious to reach a clearing which

s knew to be not far away . She wa sure now that some on e was following her . At this instant her scarf caught on on e of the trees . CHAPTER XXX

A N D TH E STARS BE OUR WITNESS

l HE had t o stop to disentangle herse f , and heard her pursuer forcing his way through the cypresses h s e . only a few yards away . Facing around , waited Whoever it was she preferred meeting him to the terrors of the unknown .

a An inst nt later she made out , through the dusk , the ﬁgure of Orkhan Effendi . A mad joy at sight of him was her ﬁrst feeling even stronger than the

off feeling of relief . Then she turned and ran as fast h as s e could .

His : af voice called after her Do not be raid , Milli ”

is . cent . I t I , Orkhan

of She stopped , ashamed herself , and glad that he

mi AS had staken her fright . he approached , all other feelings di ed ou t of her except simple happiness at m being near hi . “ t ? Did I frigh en you he asked .

She nodded .

You k of now, he said , in the tone a grown person “ i t o speak ng to a child , you ought not come into this ”

i . grove by yourself . It s not safe

She did n ot reply . She was half leaning against a cypress , and trembling like a frightened child .

IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

‘ ’ u anl her , the persistent , nwom y side, whi ch bids me not to mate with a man of another faith and other ideals than mine ? “ But the woman always gives up all to follow the ” man she loves , he cried eagerly . “ Yes she , if follows her instincts blindly . Oh , Ork ” han , I cannot do that .

Her scruples seemed very little things to the Turk .

of hi s With a wave hand he brushed them away . “ of roﬁ le ! ueen my hours , why waste time in p t ss ? l discussion , like a musty lawyer in a court Al ah gives i us th s chance to be happy . Let us marry and think ” o no more f the petty differences between us . “ ” Oh ! cannot I make you understand ? she wailed . A part of me loves you ; but another part refuses to accept this physical attraction as enough u n less there shall be other, more lasting sympathies ” he hi to draw u s together . Earnestly s looked into s “ DO ou i of eyes . y believe th s love ours would last long? “ as Everything endures so long Allah ordains , he answered solemn ly .

His fatalism struck the wrong note in her . How easily fatalism could excuse anything which might come after . She glanced down at the dark Bosphorus

was as on below them . In some ways it if they stood

f of on . opposite sides o this , instead the same

T o understand the gulf which lies between us , AND THE STARS BE OUR WITNESS 211

on ou she went , I must tell y that my object in com ing to your country was to help your women t o free themselves from the bondage in which you Turkish ” en m keep them . “ n o We do t keep them in bondage , he cried . We only cherish them and guard them from all eyes ex

ou r own . our cept They are most precious possessions .

We go t o them like a lover , leaving the cares of the world behind , and seeking paradise at their side . We surround them with the best the world can give , and deny ourselves so that they may have more . It is not

for bondage , but a sanctuary we have created them .

ul of Ah , my beloved , s tana my soul , what is there more in the world than the love of a man and a woman ! Do you n ot feel the love you have for me t o be the strong ” est thing in you ?

Very slowly the girl nodded . The man went on with triumphant eagerness “ In your country you have learned t o think wrongly

f u ou o s and ou r customs . They have taught y that there are other things in life besides love . But there is nothing ! Love alone gloriﬁes the world . Put all else

t o r . on e ou r wo aside , and come me , my b ide Be of men and you shall know whether there is other happi ness than loving and being loved .

He had again enthralled her , and when he held

i o she out h s arms and drew her t him , again forgot all except that they loved one another . She felt 212 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

w n . that the battle was over , that he had o Yes , she would marry him , and live for him and for him alone . “ And n ow u , let me hear you say that yo will be my ” as as for ou wife soon I can make a home y , he urged , as if divining her thoughts .

sh Although she had just said this t o herself, e could

u was not say it to him . The str ggle not entirely over , as she had thought had hoped it was .

Very gently she drew away from hi m. “ Will you take me now t o Elpis ?

Tell me once that you love me . ” “ N ot yet , she pleaded . Be generous , and take ” me t o Elpis now . “ I shall never be anything except generous t o you, ” Millicent , he replied . A short distance from the Paparighopou los villa he left her . She found Elpis walking up and down out side the house , with her nurse .

u The Greek girl r shed up to her . “ ! n e Oh my dear o , how you have frightened me . i She threw her arms around M llicent , but Millicent drew back from her . “ ou Wait till I speak with y , Elpis . But now I ” must hurry . Have I time to dress for di nn er?

Elpis scanned her face anxiously . “ Yes , just time . Shall I come up with you?

No ; please to wait till after dinner .

CHAPTER XXXI

TH E ROCKET IN TH E SKY

T was late that night before the guests whom

Ri ho ou t hi m g had brought with went away . i Millicent went to her room , where she m ght drop i the conventional personality wh ch had been talking , and laughing , and discussing all the evening , and

t o ff . become the human being, think and to su er

Elpis was not long in coming t o her . She found

r . Millicent sitting by the window , fully d essed “ ? ” Not yet in bed she exclaimed . ” No ; I was waiting for you .

The Greek girl came over and put her arm about her . “ ” is ? What it , dearest she asked .

ou Elpis , if you found that y were in love with a ” ou ? Turk , would y marry him

u Elpis showed no s rprise at the abrupt question . “ . is I am a Greek , dear There a wide river which ” divides the Greeks from the Turks . “ ” A river can be crossed .

be Yes , an ordinary river ; but that which ﬂows tween the Greeks and their Ottoman conquerors is a

of m river blood . Too many dead men , too any out raged women , t oo many slaughtered children lie at the bottom of that river . Were we ever t o attempt to THE ROCKET IN THE SKY 215

u s . cross it , it would rise up and engulf No , the Greeks and the Turks may live side by side, but intermarry willingly never ! ”

A silence fell upon the two girls . Elpis took Milli ’ cent s hand and kissed it .

At that moment a rocket shot up into the heavens .

of At it s zenith it burst into a mass light , then sank

- downward with ever lessening brilliancy , till it was lost again in the dark . “ — How was n ow is glorious it and it gone , said “ ” as Elpis softly . It w like a great human emotion .

Rocket after rocket illumined the night . The girls watched them without speaking , till the last was gone . Then Millicent said bravely : “ h as Elpis , I do not understand what come over

a me . I am no longer the same person I w s when I left ” my country . ? I s it Orkhan Elpis asked .

The other nodded . “ ou Are y going to marry him , Millicent dear?

Millicent shuddered . “ o I do not know . I do not want t not now . H e ” says I am and with him I am powerless . Elpis had been furtively watching Millicent all the evening . She did n ot wish her to marry Orkhan ; yet she feared lest any opposition would only give force t o

n o what she wished to kill . She was t without Greek diplomacy , and her language became Ulyssean. 216 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

t wo hi for There are only t ngs which we strive,

: ou r . on e Millicent happiness , and ideals The is real , the other we know can never be realized . If you are k happy in your love for Or han , why n ot take it ?

is u Happiness too precio s to throw away , and you are not a Greek girl : your race mixes without repu g nance with all white races and Orkhan is a glorious ” specimen of the Turk . “ l Wou d you marry Orkhan yourself, if you were ” n ot a Greek , and were in love with him ? “ I can never feel except as a Greek . If the love you have for Orkhan lifts you above everything else

. of take it It may be worth even the sacriﬁce ideals . “ But it does not lift me above everything else . I am not even sure it is the best in me which loves him . ” Why do you not advise me ?

ou Millicent dear , y must decide for yourself . Do n ot decide t oo quickly . There may be a long battle .

- ﬁeld When it is over, the battle will be strewn with

or . dead , dead whose names will be Ideals Senses

o ou t The girls l oked disconsolately into the night , n ow lighted by the waning moon , just rising above the

as horizon . It was a slender moon , but not it had been when a jaunty crescent . Time seemed to have worn it away . “ That moo n looks as if it also had been through a ” u battle , and had come o t pretty well battered , Milli cent said .

CHAPTER XXXII

’ BEH I ND HASSAN S SH OP

N on e of the niches of the labyrinthian markets of

Stamboul was a shop . Its owner , a Turk , was

- on forever sitting cross legged his mat , smoking his t chi ou k b and playing with his string of amber beads .

He looked the embodiment of contentment . His shop

as . a w ﬁlled with antiques real , not Shams He w s affable t o his clients , and asked them three times the worth of each article . Then he spent pleasant hours wrestling over the price with them . When at last he

n e of parted with o his antiques , he would hold it to

S . his heart , would look at it , and igh “ ” sa t o Take it , he would y the customer , and re member that I , Hassan the generous , gave it to you . ! ” You did not buy it no , you did not buy it

as It w a little shop , just big enough for Hassan and his antiques , with room for not more than three clients at a time . He preferred only one . Then he could con centrate himself on the glittering contest between mind and mind . The walls of the shop were covered with precious rugs , of colors as soft and delicate as a ’ maiden s caresses . Small cases contained jewels , such a s monarchs were wont t o give to their favorites .

Hassan did not often travel to buy his goods . His ’ BEHIND HASSAN S SHOP 219

sources were mostly women . Frequently two veiled

an of h ou ms , on whose pallid faces traces superb beauty

t o . were discernible, would come Hassan From their bosoms they would produce cases containing jewels as brilli ant as their own eyes once had been . Hassan would take the cases and become lost in meditation .

He knew the value of stones . He also knew the value

f n e of hesitation . He invariably o fered o third the value of the stones , and paid in cash . It was more than any other jeweler in Stamboul would do , and Hassan prospered .

His little shop had an inner shop , where ostensibly

of he stored some his wares ; and there Hassan , the

s affable and apparently contented old Turk , wa dis contented . In consequence he had become a Young

Turk , and the real use to which the inner shop was put was as a meeting - place for the leaders of the move ment . From that inner shop they could pass into an other shop on another street . The other shop was a

of creamery , where one could buy a plate the most de liciou s malebi for ﬁve cents . It was kept by a brother ’ of Hassan s , just as fat , and just as contented as he . Few people kn ew that the creamery man and the f man o the antiques knew each other . They were never seen speaking together . Born in the interior of

Turkey, they had gone their different ways in child

nl hood , and o y ﬁve years before this had chanced to recognize their brotherhood from t wo rings whi ch they IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

i wore . At that time the brother was look ng for a shop , and Hassan was searching for a faithful one to take

this other shop . When he became assured of his ’ brother s ﬁdelity , he lent him the money to start the creamery , and initiated him into the Young Tu rks movement . The arrangement had worked admirably . One of the leaders of the Young Turks could go to

u Hassan , and another co ld enter the creamery , and ’ without suspicion they could meet in Hassan s inner shop .

It was about noon , the hour when the markets are brimming with life . Orkhan was going from shOp to shop in search of emeralds ; for occasionally he did

t o e as send presents his ﬁanc e , custom demanded . ’ T He ended up at Hassan s . wo other clients were wrestling over a price . The antiquary motioned Ork han to a seat, and placed before him the case of emer alds Orkhan asked for . When t he other clients de i parted , and th s time Hassan did not wrestle so

as O long usual with them , rkhan rose, raised a rug on the rear wall , and disappeared behind it .

u Four other T rks were already waiting for him .

on Orkhan sat down a mat by them . “ ”

- I am here, to day , he said , after the salutations , because I promised Hakir Pasha to ask you your ” intentions in regard to Albania ; and he went on to ld deliver the message of the o Albanian .

222 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

his AS Orkhan stirred on mat , he felt the Albanian girdle his mother had given him . Albania had always entered into his dreams ; and although this was little more than sentimentality , sentimentality may be a ’ strong force in a man s life . “ we r I thought that was what were working fo , he “ said , that Mussulmans and Christians shou ld have ” n e o fatherland , and be equals before the law . “ ” is That it exactly , assented the old Turk . But it must be the Mussulman who apportions justice t o the Christians . We mean t o do our best by these peo

u r ple who are o subjects . We mean to give them their rights only we shall have t o decide what are their rights .

At this juncture Halil Bey entered the meeting . “ We are just discussing the problem of ou r Chris ” “

T selebi . tian subjects , said Effendi to him What a pity it is that there is a problem . If the Conqueror had only taken every Christian woman and given her

of to a faithful soldier , what a lot trouble it would ” have saved us now . “ What the Conqueror omitted to do we may still ” “ accomplish , Halil Bey answered . We may not be able to do it in the same way ; but there are other ” ways . “ And Europe ? asked Orkhan . ‘ If we are successful , we need not trouble about ” “ so Europe , Halil Bey replied . They may even go ’ BEHIND HASSAN S SHOP 223 far as to give us their help in quieting internal dissen ’ a u ro sions . Don t forget that it w s E pean warships hi ” w ch bombarded Crete for us a few years ago .

T se e Several of the Turks laughed ; but l bi Effendi ,

i n seeing that Orkhan was st ll unconvinced , went o t o explain patiently : “ ou n I am afraid , Orkhan Effendi , that y do ot yet see matters entirely as we do . But just suppose that we hold an election , as under the Constitution we

l o sha l have t do , and suppose that the Christians

o 9 outvote us . Would you let them make laws f r u s “ Does the lion Obey the crowing of three ” ul thirty cocks ? asked Halil Bey scornf ly . Orkhan was becoming won over to the view held by

o f the majority . In spite f the trace o Albanian blood in him , he was essentially an Ottoman , with the ﬁerce

his it s pride in race , and implicit belief in superiority . “ ? What, then , shall I tell Hakir Pasha he asked .

You need not see him yourself . We will give him an i answer that will suit him. Much good w ll it do him

e afterwards . We Shall do the same with t h Cretan ﬁf Stavropoulos . He guarantees to raise ty thousand

an pounds under the condition that Crete, shall be n exed t o Greece as soon as the Constitution is pro ” ’ claimed . Give them Crete ! T selebi Eﬂ en di snorted . “ ” But we need the money to help mobilize the army . “ When will Stavropoulos pay the money ? ” asked ’ on e ou . of the others . Don t trust the Greeks , y know 224 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

It is being raised now among them . We are pro ” mised it in less than a month . “ How much have the Armenians given so far?

n s . O ly half a million , but another half i promised ” And what is it t hey are asking ? inqui red the youngest of the leaders .

Halil Bey laughed tillthe tears came into hi s eyes . “ i ” An Armen an kingdom and an Armenian king , “ he gasped through hi s merriment . As if they were good for anythi ng except to cheat in business . We need have n o scruples in accepting the money ” of T sele i the Greeks and the Armenians , said b “ i e ur we Effend They g t it ou t of o pockets , and ” might as well get back as much of it as we can .

a Orkhan Effendi w s the ﬁrst t o leave the meeting .

ou sa He went t into the little creamery shop , t down

- of male . beside a water carrier , and ate a plate bi “ ” Bad times , said the carrier , saluting . ” “ l V r . A ery bad , ag eed Orkhan But I hear that lah is planni ng to send a blessing to ou r country

i n shortly , and that the army s to be the i strument of ” Allah . “ ’ Yo - u don t say so ! exclaimed the water carrier . ” H ow did you come by such news ? ’ “ The news is traveli ng fast through the Prophet s ” land . Good times are coming t o our country . “ ” - Inshallah ! Ins hallah ! said the water carrier .

226 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

on . gathering his face No , I could not love the Ar ” men ian s as brothers , he thought .

F r i o a long time after the Armen an had gone , the

Turk remained where he was , seemingly absorbed in the scenery , in reality thinking over what the leaders had said , and the problems which Turkey , under a constitution , would have to face .

of as At length he gave a vigorous shake his head , if throwing off the remnants of the sentimental ideas he once had entertained . “

u . No , the T rks must predominate So must the ” Turkish religion and the Turkish language .

With resolute strides he walked down to the bridge, and boarded the steamer for his home .

That night he took from his waist the Albanian belt him hi s on . . mother had girded He did not hesitate, neither did he stop to think long of the women who had embroidered it . From a cupboard he brought a

se on . can of kerosene , saturated the belt , and t it ﬁre i When there rema ned only a charred fragment , he exclaimed “ Yes , the Turks an d the Turks alone must rule ” here . CHAPTER XXXIII

WHERE ELPI S REMAINS SI LENT

ARRIAGE is the greatest thing in the lives of men and women only when it brings ou t the best in them helps them to realize , in a measure,

is of their ideals . When it the mere wild passion

l of man and woman , it is on y suited to times wild ness and passion . If the man must ride forth to battle every day , and his mate always fears lest he

— is will not return , then this love may last till he killed .

is n eces Under civilized conditions , a civilized love sary to endure , and that must be a love of the brain

as . is and soul , well as of the heart The primeval love for primeval conditions .

as These were the thoughts of Elpis , she sat in her k room , thin ing hard if there might not be some way in which She could help Millicent in this struggle of hers on which her whole future life depended . Elpis did not believe with her brother that her friend could be happy with a Turk , no matter how much he might fascinate her temporarily . There were too great dif feren es c in all their views about life , and the things

ll en which made life worth while . M ic t was not of the primeval cast of mind and feeling , and Elpis knew that 228 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM she could not be happy immured in the walls of a

of harem . From what she had read Americans , Elpis judged that both the man and the woman entered ’ so largely into each other s lives that there must be even more than with European s a broad basis of mutual sympathy and common aspiration in a union , to make for lasting happiness .

Once Elpis had liked Orkhan Effendi . Now she

e ks hich hat d him with the intense hatred of the Gree , w

o r is pat r pa at hat on . ’ I may have to have recourse to M it ro s belt after h “ s e . all , mused But perhaps if she were to see more of hi m a great deal of him ; if he were to become

o in more commonplace t her , a sort of everyday man

of she stead the romantic ﬁgure he now appears , might

feel this fundamental difference between them , and be ” repelled by it .

At any rate , it was the only thing Elpis could think

lWit ro . of, and she sent at once for “ ’ Mitro , I want you to go to Orkhan Effendi s . If hi m he is ou t , wait until he returns , and ask to come ”

r . here this afternoon , o this evening

is Mitro did not move . H attitude was all respect , but having seen Elpis grow up he assumed the right to

protect and defend her . If her brother was lax, all the

ul . more reason that he , Mitro , sho d be stern “ ”

You . may go now , Elpis said

is Mitro twisted his Albanian cap in h hands , but

230 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

Mistress , he has cast a spell over the girl . The ” only way to break it is to kill him . Knowing the hold superstition had on people like

Mitro , Elpis answered . “ has f He cast a spell over her , and it is o the kind

is that if he dies , she will never recover from it . That why I want you to let him alone . We will cure her

of . it , you and I

he Mitro smiled now , content that s shared his views and conﬁdent both in her powers and in his

own . “ is so o She pretty , Miss Elpis , and s good and gra

he i u s . S c o When he ﬁrst came here , s held her head

as o as erect a new tombstone . N w she droops like a ” thirsty plant . “ You and I will help her to carry her head proudly ” again and that day will be a gala on e for us .

ou She held t her hand to him . He did not presume

. of to touch it Instead , he stooped and kissed the hem her dress .

At sunset Elpis and Millicent were seated on an upper terrace , when they saw Orkhan coming up to the house . “ is k Oh , here Or han Effendi , said Elpis innocent

l . y You will come down to see him . , Without waiting for a reply she went to greet her gu est . WHERE ELPIS REMAINS SILENT 231

You ou she need not mention that I sent for y , said to the Turk . h Ork an smiled at the Greek girl , conﬁdent that she was his ally .

lWillicen t o t o When joined them , Elpis left the t w

- of- gether , in a perfectly matter fact way . She went

U own of p to her room , and there picked up a piece sewing an d worked away on it as if her life depended on ﬁnishi ng it . — — Orkhan stayed a half- hour an hour an hour and a half . An interminable time it seemed to the seam stress . She saw them walking together in the garden, the man erect , triumphant ; the girl drooping , yielding . Elpis dropped her sewing in her lap and watched

she them . From the lovely American girl , looked to the magniﬁcent specimen of manhood at her side, and shook her head . “ No , I do not blame her , she murmured ; but I ” she wish were a Greek .

When Orkhan went away , Millicent slowly came up ’ t o El is s For p room , and sank into a chair . some time she hi said not ng , and the other was again absorbed in her sewing . “ is M lli en t It no use , c said at length , as if to her

ou ? Have y promised Elpis asked quietly .

- - n N n o . Even ow I could n ot quite bring myself ” t o promise what he want ed . 232 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

What was that ?

t o his To go to the frontier and be sold cousin ,

kh n M al at ou . And he felt hurt that I was reluctant t o ” l s l e so d a a s ave . b , in order to become his

Millicent gave a dreary little laugh .

Elpis made no comment . She kept on sewing , tak ing large vicious stitches that she knew would have to come out again . She was glad when the needle went deep into her forefinger . “ I s it true , as he says , that love is eve rything in this ? life , and that nothing else matters I used to think there were so many other things that mattered too . Deliberately Elpis stuck her needle twice more into her finger . Then she put the fin ger in her mouth . ” He says he made me think , Millicen t went on , that even a year of love 18 worth all else is worth a ” of or lifetime all that life has thus far held f me . “ Would he give up his Young Turks movement for ” you for a year of your love ? Elpis asked .

s He says that he h a thought of nothing except me , ever since he has known he loved me . And then he sees things so differently for men and for women . I am to be kept for his eyes alone , after I am married . I shall — of . not see any my friends men , I mean I shall be his w precious possession , from whom he ill keep all

r wor y and trouble and strife . I had meant to be a part of the world , but he says that the world must ” never enter the garden of ﬂowers where I shall live .

CHAPTER XXXIV

A HOURI

RKH AN EFFENDI was di stinctly irritated by ’ Millicent s refusal to accept hi s plans for her .

They seemed so simple and feasible t o him . The f o . more he thought it , the less he liked it An anger rose in his heart which clouded his love for her . He felt antagonistic toward her , though he tried to excuse

- u her attitude by blaming her bringing p , that Ameri

- can bringing u p which made women unnatural . He was conscious that Millicent was still struggling

his against love , and he was impatient for the time when she should be entirely dependent on him and

s subservient t o his will . But how wa that to be

nr brought about , with her u easonableness in the matter of being sold as a slave? Instinctively he turned his steps toward the palace

M alkh n . where at ou , his cousin , lived She would help him to think of some other scheme . It was late in the afternoon when he reached the kiosk of his nurse . He told her that he must see his cousin again . “ ” You old willbring death upon us all , the dame “ ‘ u cried , throwing her hands toward heaven . I sho ld mi i not nd dying , my l on , if you were spared ; but I ” cannot work t oward your destruction . A HOURI 235

was But Orkhan a charmer , and she worshiped him with extravagant Oriental devotion . They were not empty words , that she was willing to die for him . “ ” Yet perhaps I can manage it this time, she went on she , as detected the deep air of disappointment which he put on , and thus it came about that once more Orkhan , in his disguise , entered the household k of M al hat ou n .

The young girl had grown more ethereal and exqu i ’ site under the su ﬂ erin g she was enduring . Her eyes had become larger and darker from much weeping, and there was a pathos about her face which enhanced it s loveliness more than the ﬁnest jewels or lace could have done . She received Orkhan with dignity and l sweetness , although she knew he would on y torture her heart a little more . She had hardly taken her seat before Orkhan burst forth : “ She is not willing to go to the frontier .

As he uttered the words , he felt a humiliation greater even than he had felt when alone .

alkh at ou n sa M divined this , and hastened to y “ It is because she does n ot know Turkey . She is ” afraid of ou r customs . “ Perhaps ; but what shall I do now?

M alkh at ou n lost herself in thought , and Orkhan grew more hopeful . She inspired him with conﬁdence , and near her he became like a child in the presence of 236 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

a mother , who always ﬁnds some means , when all looks desperate . As he sat waiting for the res ult of her

on a deliberations , his eyes were her delic te face , and for the ﬁrst time he became conscious of her wondrous beauty . It enchanted and touched him . She appeared to him suddenly like a marvelous garden which had

of n o been hidden from view, and the door which w

M lkh n had been left open . No wonder a at ou n had bee able to gain the adherence of the most opposed old

. ow Turks t o the new movement N , if she would only go to see Millicent , she cou ld not fail to win her con sent to their plans . “ ” oun ! he on M alkh at cried , breaking in her “ lWillicen t ou she thoughts , if were to know y , would lose her fear of being sold to you as a slave . She would

a . love you , and come willingly to the Pal ce Could you ’ arrange t o go and see her at the Paparighopoulos ? ” You know Miss Elpis .

M alkhat ou n brought her far - away look back t o the man she loved . “ You me see t o e t o wish to her , and persuad her ” ? she become your wife asked slowly . “ Yes ! ”

he ou she of But if s has resisted y , the man loves , what avail could I be ? ” Because you are a wonderful little person ; because

u yo r beauty captivates , and you r personality con ” vinces .

238 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

Never hesitate to come to me when you need help . f The more di ﬁcult the task , the more reason why you should come to me .

of She went out the room ; but he lingered , unwilling to go , hoping that she would return , longing to hear

. t o her voice again But only a slave appeared , conduct him ou t of the house . CHAPTER XXXV

THE GIRL FR OM THE EAST A N D THE GIRL FR OM TH E WEST

HE shutters of the Paparighopou los villa were

tightly closed against the heat of the sun . The awnings over the terraces extended their protecting canvases about the house . The waters of the foun tains in the garden and in the hall were whispering of

on coolness , while a man was sprinkling more water all the lanes leadin g from the house . Millicent in her darkened room was lying on a long wicker chair , pretending t o rest , but occupied with thoughts which were bad company for hot weather .

A knock at the door startled her . Of late she had become nervous .

The knock was repeated . “ ” Come in , she said reluctantly .

The French maid appeared . “ M ademmselle Elpis begs mademoiselle t o render ”

- herself t o the large drawing room . ’ Millicent s ﬁrst impulse was to excuse herself ; but she had several times been so peevish with Elpis of late that she reconsidered this decision . Unwillingly

he - s rose , and went down to the formal drawing room , which was kept even darker than the rest of the house .

On the threshold she stopped and peered in , wonder 240 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM ing why Elpis had sent for her here at thi s time of the day . “ ” s ? k Are you here , Elpi she as ed . She received no answer ; yet she was conscious of life withi n the room . “ ou Are y here ? she repeated again . Gradually from t he darkness emerged t he presenc e of a l n two t l eu uchs , standing within , on either Side of the door . They were so black that hardly more than the whites of their eyes were to be distinguished .

Frightened , Millicent started back , when from the middle of the room she heard some on e say “ ” o r C me forwa d , Miss Melisande Grey .

of a It was the musical and vibrant voice a wom n , d an it dispelled her apprehensions . And as the pupils of o he her eyes adjusted themselves to the glo m , s per ceived on a girl , younger than herself, sitting a low chair , and dressed in a loose yellow garment , like the tunics which the women of ancient Rome wore . Her dark hair was fantastically arranged with what seemed

e to be a golden crown . At her f et crouched several attendants . Millicent had taken a few hesitating steps into the

t he a s t : room when girl again half sked , half a ser ed “ ” You are Miss Melisande Grey ? ” Yes .

ou c I am very glad to see you . Will y ome nearer ? ”

242 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

standing or seated , and all ready to obey the Slight

ﬁgure on the low chair . “ u Yes , you are bea tiful , the girl said slowly . She put her hand beneath some of Millicent’s locks and ’ held them high . Comme les eaux blondes d une c as

S . cade , he murmured With a soft little sigh , she leaned back and closed her eyes . Millicent was held in a kind of fascination by the whole affair , and especially by the personality of the h . s e ? k strange girl Who could be A Tur ish princess , withou t a doubt . The numerous attendants indicated

i sh e . that , and the tone in wh ch spoke

lWillicen Suddenly , at an idea which came to her , t h ’ became afraid . Could t is be the Sultan s daughter

of who loVed Orkhan , and for fear whose vengeance he had wished Millicent to pass as a slave ? And was she nowpraising her beauty to add zest to some cruelty to follow ? The American girl searched the face before her with the fascinated interest one might feel in one’s

she executioner . Small and delicately built , impressed

- her as of the ﬁnest texture the passionate , over per fumed East could produce . The man who once loved her must remember her with burning blood to his dying day . ’ e i The girl s ey s , encountering those of M llicent, smiled into them . “

You as . are beautiful , even he says you are But I ” see what he does not see . Yes , I see it all . COM ME LES EAUX BLON DES D’UNE CASCADE

244 I N THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

n n is Your questio i g rather intimate , she replied

n dryly , co sidering that I do not even now know who ” you are . “

. M a I thought you had guessed I am lkh at ou n , ’ Eﬁ n Orkhan e di s cou sin . He thought that if you knew me you wou ld n o longer be afraid to come ” to me .

She leaned over and kissed Mi llicent . Various emo tions were included in the kiss . Her conception of

European women , gleaned from novels , had given

m she her a tremendous ad iration for them , Since had learned that they were capable of retaining the love of a man for a lifetime . In the atmosphere of the palace , ’ of man s love was ephemeral existence , and the woman who could hold it for even a few years was an en chan tress . In her imagination she had invested Millicent with supernatural gifts of attraction . Now her intui

nl tion told her that Millicent was o y a girl like herself , and moreover a comparative novice in the art of

. was attracting men Her kiss , therefore , like that of a grateful patient t o the physician who has given her

t o u se n hope . She still meant her best endeavor to wi

Millicent for Orkhan . She loved as many Turkish

. ma n women love To them the is their lord , and they i w ll give him whatever he asks for their love , when

or he wishes it , the love of other women , when he desires that . Thus they may win his gratitude, and

of his retain whatever love they can . EAST AND WEST 245

M lkh a ou n Now a t was thinking only of the man , for whom she had made of herself a shrine to worship him in . But She also felt sorry for Millicent at the thought of how lonely an d miserable she would be after Orkhan

she ceased to care for her , and resolved to be kind to this child of the West . It never occurred to her to try

. sh to save Millicent from this fate On the contrary , e meant to take her with her at once , if possible , in order that Orkhan might not worry and fret by having to wait for his bride . “ H an ou m Tell me , Melisande , she asked sweetly , why did you refuse to obey your lord and go to the

? ou frontier Surely y must have known that , although you would seem to be my slave , you would in reality ” belong to Orkhan .

Having lost her exalted idea concerning Millicent , she went to the other extreme and patron ized her a little . ’ as The American girl s pride w roused , both by the tone and the words .

It was not a question of obeying . I simply did not care for the plan he proposed . Indeed , I have not yet S ” made up my mind whether I hall marry him at all . M alkh at ou n opened wide her eyes at these brave words . “ You do n ot kn ow whether you will marry him or ” he ou ! not , when wishes to marry y “ ” I care for him , Millicent replied quietly , but I 246 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

n have also my ow life t o lead . I am not sure that for his love I would bewilling to live secluded and apart from my friends . “ t o do What have friends with it , when love is in question ? “ Perhaps we love differently , we women of Amer

nl on e f M There is o y kind o love , alkh at ou n cried passionately . It surges through your whole being ; it

loriﬁes g , and shows you the face of Allah ; it burns and tortures , and envelops your soul in ﬂames . “ And how long does a love like this last ? ? ” How long does it last the Turkish girl echoed . What has that to do with it ? It may last a year a

. ! month or a day Nay , even an hour What does ” it matter ? It is not the length of time that counts .

Her hands were clasped over her heart, her eyes looked “ far away , whither her thoughts had ﬂown . One f o . might wait years , dreaming it and praying for it ! Then it comes , that glorious moment What if one live ’ the rest of one s life only t o remember? But what can you understand of this I say to you ? What can you

of know of love , you , who can think other things when he u ? is near yo You , who can discuss the future when

is ! of he present You , who can hear the voice reason while his voice speaks ! Can you even conceive the delirious happiness of blindly obeying the lord of your ? life Would you walk with bare feet on burning sand ,

CHAPTER XXXVI

YOU ARE A WOM AN —AND S O AM I

EARS were streaming down the cheeks of Mal ‘

khatoun as she ceased speaking , but they dried at once , as if by the ﬁre that consumed her . Millicent was tremendously moved by her impas sion ed words . For an instant it seemed to her as if this

W who of ild little thing , would drink all the joys life

i . at on e draft , m ght be right Yet surely such a love was like a hurricane , which , when it had passed , left

n nothing except destruction behind . Hard o the rush which nearly carried her away came the conviction that just herein lay the danger of loving Orkhan the

n o Turk ; and that only misery to herself, with especial

him his . good to , could come from love She leaned over to M alkhat ou n . “ is i My dear , what you say very beaut ful , in — some instances it may also be true , but it can hardly be the rule for men or for women . What , after the ” is ? storm of passion has passed , there left in your lives “ is Ah ! after it has passed , what there left but , like ’ ' t o et als an d the ﬂower which has bloomed , fold one s p

“ Millicent smiled at the sin gle - heart edness of t he YOU ARE A WOMAN - AND SO AM I 249

“ ’ ou That s very romantic and poetic , but y must remember that there is the work of the world to do and it is not done by the ﬂowers who close their petals ” and die . ’ El is s p sentiments came into her mind , and she quoted them , as nearly as she was able .

so Our lives do not belong to ourselves alone , that we may sacriﬁce them for such gratiﬁcation as you

s n describe . Love is at its best when it i ot only in t oxi

ho cating , but when it helps those w love to work hand ” in hand . M alkhat oun was listening like a child t o a foreign tongue . She had never heard women talk in this way before . “ The world is as it is , she said . How can on e make it better? ” “ Each life well lived helps a little , I believe . That

on e is about all any of u s can hope t o do . But we can at least try to live above the physical plane or rather , we can make the physical serve the mental , ” n ot rule it .

alkh at ou n M clasped her slender hands together, and ﬁxed her luminous eyes on the American girl . ” And is that what you do in your country ? she asked . “ We are trying to . And that is why I am debating my marriage t o your cousin . If I marry him I am ” o afraid I shall have t give up all my ideals . 250 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

alkhat ou n l n M , only ha f comprehendi g , found her self strangely in sympathy with this unknown crea ture from the new world . Millicent became to her again a different woman from herself , and vaguely the Turkish girl wondered if perhaps what Orkhan loved in this golden girl were these strange thoughts of hers .

his She recalled all words about her , but nowhere did she remember to have heard him refer t o this spiritual side of Millicent . “ Perhaps that ’s why you European women keep ” the love of a man all your lives , she said tentatively . “ You think more of others than of your own grat iﬁca ” I s ? tion . that true “ we do When we marry , not do so solely from phy

l e sica attraction , but b cause we have the same sympa ” thies and ideals , and hope to help each other .

n M alkhat ou thought for a moment . “ And does this make your marriages very beauti

When they are such marriages , they are very ” ll n ul lVI i i e t . beautif , c answered “ But does not the man desir e other women ? Mal khatoun asked simply .

Millicent shook her head . It is considered very ” wrong for a man to love other women than his wife . “ ” But does he n ot wish to ? M alkh at oun persisted . A nice man would not think of another woman if ” he loved his wife .

252 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

M alkh at ou n In spite of herself , was half convinced . With a ﬂash of insight she saw or rather felt the situ ation as it was , and with the understanding came the i desire to help this other g rl , even if it meant to deny

Orkhan . “ ’ H an ou m Melisande , I came here as my cousin s

as u emissary , but I am also a woman , yo are ; and as

n Allah has made us weaker and dependent o men , ’ we must help each other . I am my cousin s emissary ,

. ou but now also your friend If you feel as y do , you must not marry hi m ; for afterwards would be black

u misery . Yo r surrender to him would come not be

of for cause the power his love has over your soul , your soul will only be lulled , and when it wakes ? what will become Of you Our lives are secluded , and f ou r point of view is di ferent . It will be impossible for

ou r as n f you to lead y life you wish it and be o e o us .

is After all , Orkhan Effendi a Turk, and you would ’ ” have to be a Turk s wife .

She rose , and as if a light breeze had come into the

r of at room , the e whispered the rustle silk as her h t en dan t s clustered around her . From her t roat the Turkish girl unfastened a necklace and put it around ’ Millicent s neck . “ That is to remind you of me , and to tell you that ” no matter what may happen I shall be your friend . Deftly her attendants covered the princess with veils and silken wraps till she was an unrecognizable YOU ARE A WOMAN AND SO AM I 253

bun dle . Then all swept Millicent a cu rtsy and went from the room , leaving her alone , bathed in her golden hair and with the precious stones sparkling at her throat . CHAPTER XXXVII

ORKHAN THE TUR K

HIS recent meeting of the Czar and the King ” “ of England , Hakir Pasha was saying , I ’ don t like it . I have good reasons for believing that it had for object the discussion of ou r unf ortunate ” country . Ten of the leaders of the Young Turks were assem ’ in Orkh an s on bled house Princess Island , contrary t o their usual precaution of never coming together in a larger number than four . They had come in divers

of roundabout ways , some them disguised . All were ’ visibly impressed by Hakir Pasha s words . “ If they decide to interfere with so - called plans for ” b reform , remarked Rig o , a terrible obstacle will be ” placed in the way of our success . “ i We must move before they do , Hak r Pasha “

n . If a nounced , his jaw thrust forward we succeed ,

Europe will be outwitted . If we fail Allah kerim! ” ? e r What do you say , Orkhan he ask d , tu ning to

He could not have appealed to any on e more eager to precipitate matters . His nurse had told him that his ﬁancee had of late become like a tigress . She must

ho oul s have got wind of his visits to the Paparig p o ,

256 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

v his s o li id face , eye starting from their s ckets , and the fear which made hi m tremble so violently that on e could hear the chatterin g of hi s teeth “ ” s . I am not a py, he screamed I was passing

- through the short cut behind your house to the town , when t wo men jumped out and

Orkhan leaped at him like a tiger . He had recog

Ar n nized the me ian he had kicked into the water . “ ” ou ! Hi Ah ! I know y , you vermin s voice was not

was l in hi loud , but there a dead y hatred it w ch seemed to shrivel the fat man up . “ di ou Effen , I pray y , I am no spy, he managed to stammer ; but Orkh an cut him short . With a sweep of hi s arm he sent the lamp t o the

A n ﬂoor , and , seizing the rme ian , he dragged him out

n him o the terrace and ﬂung into the water below . A horrible scream broke the silence of the night . It ended

as . with a splash , the heavy body struck the water Up above no one moved . Everythi ng had taken place so quickly that there had not been time for interference , had any on e wished to interfere . A long time after the splash there came a strangled gurgle from the black waters below . Then all was silence . “ ” t o hi s Bring another lamp , said Orkhan servant ,

and close the curtains well . The rays of the new light shone upon the same scene and the same men as before . Only the broken lamp on the ﬂoor indicated the tragedy that had taken place . ORKHAN THE TURK 257

Orkhan was still breathing a triﬂe faster than usual , and a dull red shone in his cheeks . Righo alone of those present resented the act of the

his Turk . He was very pale , and took a step toward friend . “

? . Are you mad , Orkhan he demanded We do not punish with death without proofs , and what proof had you the man was a spy ? He might have

- been , as he said , taking the short cut to town . With rather exaggerated carelessness Orkhan re plied “ Why make a fu ss over ridding the earth of one ? ” more superﬂuous person I disliked the man . ’ “ h But , in God s name , we cannot rid t e eart h of ” i h “ R o . t hose we dislike , exclaimed g st ernly I knew

man a l t hat a dissip t ed , harm ess yout h named / z n Kasan ian . He subscribed a hu dred pounds to our cause . I would swear he was no spy . He was rich and ” did n ot need money .

Orkhan shrugged hi s shoulders . “ a Well , perhaps he w s n o spy but once before he came in my path . Besides , one Armenian , more or ” less , what does it matter? They are proliﬁc .

The other leaders laughed , even Hakir Pasha ; but ’ Ri h o s g stern face did not relax . h h W at you have done is murder , Ork an .

TheTurk stepped forward , towering over the Greek . For a minute they measured each other with their 258 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

on e of eyes . The short and plain , an old conquered

it s race , which even in decadence had avoided useless bloodshed . The other , tall and handsome , of a race which even in its zeni th had always been soiled with l innocent blood , wanton y shed .

They glared at each other , then Orkhan smiled , and ’ hi s on putting hand the Greek s shou lder , said sooth in gly :

ou k u of Ri ho ? Are y not ma ing a lot o t nothing , g

We are not going to quarrel , you and I , over an ” Armenian .

i h sa R g o w the futility of his remonstrance , saw the i gulf which separated him , the civ lized European , l h n o . from the Asiatic , w o knows pity Si ently he went to his seat ; but during the rest of the meeting he heard

hi s nothing more of what was said , for ears could hear nothing except the agonized scream , and the splash in the water .

u When the meeting broke p , he did not accept Ork ’ han s invitation to spend the night with him , as he often did . Instead , after the usual precautions had

as been taken to make sure the house w not watched , R he walked up the St . Nicholas oad which led to the town . — The gay life of the island the gayest of all the — resorts about Constantinople was not stilled yet . In the pine woods groups of youths were playing on

i - str nged instruments and singing love songs . Belated

260 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM brought to him fragments of the bloody deeds of the

ai Asiatic conquerors . And ag n he heard the agonized

h of scream of the Armenian , and the t ump hi s body as it fell into the dark sea . i h R g o shivered . “ And that it should be Orkhan , he said to him “ self . Orkhan , whom I had thought civilized , and ” whom I loved .

By a curious trick of the mind , Millicent came and stood beside Orkhan , and for the ﬁrst time the Greek viewed with loathing the thought of her uni on with

Orkhan . “ t He will be pitiless o her, when the love he has for l ” her sha l be at an end .

He felt that he must warn her . She and Elpis were ’ i on s spend ng a week s end Prince s Island , at the Papa ’ ri ho oulos . Ri ho o t g p island villa g pulled u hi s watch . “ It was a quarter to one They may not have re ” turned from the Casino yet , he thought , and walked

rapidly toward the centre of nocturnal gayety . At the entrance to the principal casino a friend linked his arm in his . “ Hullo , Niko . If you are looking for your sister and s f her gue ts , they have just le t here . I saw them t o their carriages myself . “ was Thanks , I looking for them .

n o Spri ging into an empty carriage n the stand , he

t o gave the order to drive swiftly his villa . He found ORKHAN THE TURK 261

Elpis and Millicent together . The other guests had already gone t o their rooms . From his face Elpis kn ew that something had hap pened . “ ! ? Oh , Niko What is it

I wish to speak to Miss Grey, he answered . ” is ! she Orkhan dead said faintly .

He looked hard at her . “ The Orkhan I loved and admired i s dead ; but ” i s Orkhan the Turk alive .

Then he told of the death of the Armenian . CHAPTER XXXVIII

F REE

N hour after Millicent had gone t o her room , she ’ t o El i made her way p s s door . She was still fully dressed .

Softly she knocked . ! ” Come in came the answer at once .

She entered , and found the Greek girl , like herself, dressed . “ I was afraid you might have gone t o bed . I am going out for a walk . Will you come with me?

as Elpis nodded , if her guest had made the most natural kind of request . She slipped her little revolver i nto her pocket , and the two started .

They went quietly through the silent house, and without arousing any on e let themselves ou t of the front door into the dark , cool night .

Millicent walked faster than she knew , so fast that

Elpis , though a good walker , had hard work keeping up with her .

n Neither o e spoke .

o The road wound in and u t among the hills , some times through dense pines , blacker than the black

o t night itself ; again it came u into the open , where the dark was more translucent , less Opaque ; and again it

CHAPTER XXXIX

DEF EAT

HE killing of the Armenian troubled Orkhan him

self not at all . He di d not give another thought to the matter . Indeed , he was fully occupied wi th the contents of a letter he had received from M alkhat ou n tellin g hi m that she had not succeeded in makin g

Mi llicent agree to their plans . Orkh an did not think only of the contents of the letter ; it s writer received a goodly share of his atten

- kh t tion dark eyed M al a oun , whom he had never really seen until their last interview . Whenever the

of fair face Millicent came before his mind , there was

on always beside it the darker on e of the other , as the medallion are the proﬁles of Dante and Cavalcante . He could contemplate with entire serenity the pair of ’ lovely girls faces . They stirred the Turk in him ; and the Turk was so undeniably and vitally hi mself that he exp erienced great pleasure in making hi s acquaint ance . He did not worry about the complications that might arise ou t of thi s pair of faces . He meant to marry Iwillicen t at once : the other problem could be confronted later . I n the thought of Millicent he did not feel un alloyed

delight . He was distinctly annoyed with her . This DEFEAT 265

affair , he told himself , must be settled on e way or

' at another once , and to Orkhan there was only on e ’ way the man s . Three days after the death of the Armenian he sent

Pa ari ho ou lo word that he would be at the p g p s villa .

was His message naturally delivered to Elpis . She t went to Millicent , and repeated it o her . “ ou Would y rather not she began tentatively . ” i n M llce t . No , I will see him , interrupted ’ Elpis s brown eyes searched her face ; and the anxi ety in them lessened .

You are so superbly yourself again , dear, she said .

of O Something the same quality struck rkhan , in

of his - M llicen t spite ill humor, when came into the room and greeted him . “ ” Mashallah ! he murmured , such a girl is worth

f sa striving or . But he did not y this to her . Rather “ coldly he said : I am sorry you could not ﬁnd it in your heart to agree to go with my cousin M alkh at ou n ” after you had seen her .

She was very glad he adopted this demeanor . It made her own task easier . “ ” It could not be , she replied , inclining her head slightly . ’ A ﬂush mounted to Orkhan s face . “ Then ou r marriage 266 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

Our marriage can never be , she interru pted “ ’ quietly . I don t know how I ever thought we could be happy together . The barriers between us are too great .

A sudden fear gripped him lest he lose this being , who had never seemed more to be desired than at this minute . He forgot that he had meant to be cold , and a little cruel , to her . “ ? ” i What barriers he cried mpetuously . What ” ever they be I will tear them down . For just an instant an answering thrill posse ssed her . Then she mastered herself . “ h They are t oo great , Orkhan Effendi , s e said “ u r sadly . They are o whole different civilizations .

I am glad you came to see me to - day ; for I had to tell you that , although I have cared for you , I can never become your wife . Who has put these foolish words into your mouth ? he asked passionately “ What are different civili za tions , when you are a woman and I a man and we love each other? ”

Gently she shook her head . “

an d . You are a Turk , I am a Christian The piti less way in whi ch you can destroy human life taught me the impassable differences between us . Three

n if days ago , with no more compu ction than he had ”

e . be n a mouse , you killed a man ! You do not call a dirty Armenian a man Besides ,

268 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

instinctively he was master . Only aft er many min utes could he believe that this unbelievable change had come t o pass : that She had absolutely subjected the love to which she had once been a slave . Orkhan looked at her as if she were a being from another world . The indifference which should follow l satiety he cou d have comprehended , but not the strength which enabled her to draw back from the

of brimming cup love before it had reached her lips . Then arose in him the rage of bafﬂed pride of the con quering man toward the woman he cannot conquer . The thi ng which gnawed at the V itals of hi s vanitywas that as a man he had n o more power over her as a woman . hi And then Orkhan the Turk , with bl ack rage in s

a his a ou t he rt , but with usual gr ce of movement , went of the room . CHAPTER XL

A COUNTER - MOV E

MUST go on the other side of the river this after “

. o ? is noon , said Elpis Would y u care to come It ’ ’ the St ephan ides tea and I have n t seen Alt heon for several days . Do you mind if I stay here and go for a walk when it becomes cooler? I have such a curiously happy sen

t o u sation that I want go o t in the open . It seems as ” if I needed all outdoors to realize my freedom in .

sh of Elpis , y caresses , gave Millicent a little pat . “ ’ You may do exactly as you choose , only don t

ou t . stay late I shall be rather late myself , but expect to be back for dinner . We shall be alone . Niko has sent h t word that he as left Cons antinople for a few days . ” n It looks as if things might happen any day ow.

After Elpis had gone , Millicent waited until the su n

s t . had almost e , then started for the hills d ay between the Paparighopoulos villa and the hills she met a closed carriage . Its shades were drawn down ,

of in spite the warm weather , and a eunuch sat on t he box by the driver . A quarter of a mile farther on she met another car ria s h ge , exactly like the ﬁrst ; and just a S e reached the hills a third , like the other two . 270 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

Poor things , she thought , this husband is i extra jealous , and his playth ngs must not be seen driving in an open carriage , even in their veils . But I

own hi suppose they are happy , after their fas on .

She gave a little sigh , yet even with the sigh there

“ came such a rush of joy at her own recovered freedom that she wanted to skip and sing on the public hi gh way . She climbed on e of the hills and took her seat be neath a great pine to enjoy the panorama of the Bos

h ru s . l was n on i p o The twi ight comi g , and M llicent knew that through the light mist which would pre sen t ly thinly veil the landscape , it would acquire an

r added enchantment , like a Tu kish coquette seen

mak through her diaphanous yas h . It was t he hour when Mussulmans go indoors be i cause O their religion , and Christians because of old habits of fear . Millicent for a time had the whole coun tryside to herself without the disturbing presence of a single other person . Presently she was a little disappointed to see a man coming hurriedly toward her . She recogni zed him as ’ Pa ari ho ou los - the p g p major domo, Mitro . He was running , and there was that in his manner that dis quieted her .

t o She sprang to her feet , and went meet him . ” What is it ? she asked . Only after he Spoke did she reali ze that she could \

272 IN THE SHADOW OF I SLAM

dress . It would betray their whereabouts a long way ff h o . He put her be ind a large tree , and , crouching down at her side , peered forth , revolver in hand .

hi - The carriage drove past their ding place , and through the fading light Blillicen t recognized it as on e of those that had passed her when she was on her way f to the hills . Why this should have seemed o sinister

sa import it would be hard to y, but Millicent felt a cold shi ver run over her at the sight , and for the ﬁrst time was afraid .

After the carriage had gone by, they resumed their

. was ﬂight , back toward the hills It rough walking , and lVI illicen t was continually stumbling over roots or fallen branches . Her breath came fast , and she had to st0 p to rest a mi nute .

his r From belt Mitro handed her a short sha p knife .

He made a circular wave of hi s hand , as if they were surrounded , and , raising his revolver , imitated shoot

t o ing in all directions . Then he pointed her, and f f grimly made the motion o stabbing himsel . The

n girl smiled . Things did ot seem t o her at such a des perate pass as that . “ f ” Orkhan E fendi ! Mitro said . ff ” Orkhan E endi yok fena , she replied in her lim

t o Blit r it ed Turkish . She wished to impart o her own conﬁdence in Orkhan . i Mitro shook h s head , and in a guttural whisper A COUNTER—MOVE 273

’ ” Orkhan Eﬁen di Turk !

as n The gray mist of the evening w thickeni g, and to Millicent’s excited imagination the woods seemed peopled with their pursuers . She heard the snapping

f or o twigs , and often took bushes shadows for waiting men .

As the night deepened , it became more difﬁcult to f make their way . The terrors o the unkn own preyed on her imagination more than any seen dangers would

. h have done It was past the dinner hour , and s e thought of what Elpis must be suffering at her non appearance . Suddenly four forms seemed to rise up from the ground before them . Mitro ﬁred , and at the same instant Millicent felt a pair of strong arms thrown about her , pinioning her . “ ! ” Help Mitro ! she called .

He whirled and ﬁred , so close that the explosion deafened her ; but she was free again . Then for a few seconds there was a demoniac con

of u test shots and thr sts and hoarse gruntings , as men fought bestially together . Nlillicen t found herself hacking away with her knife with a certain ﬁerce exhilaration she would not have imagined possible . But again a pair of black arms gripped her tight , a shawl soaked in chloroform was thrown over her head , and she was lifted and swiftly carried away . CHAPTER XLI

THE SEARCH

LPI S was detained on the other side of the Bosphorus and did not return home until long after the dinner hour . “ I hope you have given Miss Grey her dinner , she e said t o her nurse , who open d the door for her . “ is Miss Grey not back neither is Mitro , the “ old woman said in a frightened voice . I thought perhaps you had met somewhere and stayed ou t together .

o Elpis sto d rigid for a minute , thinking hard . ” Than as sh Call y, Andrea , and Stavro , e said sharply . Into the household there had already crept a fee ling f o uneasiness , and the coachman and the grooms responded promptly to the summons .

! lVI it ro 1V. iss Grey and have not come back , Elpis said tersely . It is possible they have met with foul play . They went to the hills . Arm yourselves , and each of you take a horse and go look for them . Than t asy follow the straight road , Andrea the ﬁrst path o the right , and Stavro the crooked one to the left . Sad dle Caesarin o for me . I shall take the lower back road . ’ ” And don t let any on e know what has happened .

276 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM and again stopped to listen for any sound from the woods on either side .

With the marvelous sympathy of a well - bred horse

Caesarin for the rider he knows , o lost the festive pran c i ing step with wh ch he had started , and walked along

his with catlike care , ears pricked forward , every nerve taut , and instantly ready for the slightest signal from Elpis . When the slight pressure on the reins bade him stop , he stood like a statue of bronze , i listening , not even breath ng . Then he would resume

as his st ealthy walk, if he were trying t o creep up on

n some o e unaware .

Suddenly a change came over him . Every muscle in him st iﬁen ed . His neck arched itself into a perfect bow. His head was raised and his nostrils distended . ” sari n o ou ? W Cae , do y see anything Elpis hispered,

his leaning forward till her cheek nearly touched neck .

He had stopped , shivering . The slightest tremor on i his reins , and he would have bolted from th s terror of the night .

his Come , boy forward Elpis said , touching side with her heel .

of He did not obey , but blew a blast fear through his distended nostrils .

Come on , boy . That is where we must go , Elpis urged gently . hi ! uivering like an aspen every instinct in m,

hi s except conﬁdence in rider , urging him to ﬂight THE SEARCH 277

n he obeyed . I to the woods they crept , peering for m ward . It was i possible to tell which shadow might be the most gruesome object . Any other horse than this favorite of hers would have refused to advance against this horror whi ch he scented .

Elpis , her revolver in her hand , and straining sight and hearing to the uttermost , leaned forward , her

n on . lips parted , her head slightly o e side Presently she made ou t what seemed to be a patch of denser

Cae black at the foot of a tree . At the same moment sarino reared so violently that he almost unseated her . Caesarin o she called sharply ; and when he came down on all fours again she felt hi s back sink beneath

as if his n ot her , limbs had turned to water , but he did try to run . ! ” h ” Millicent s e called . Mitro !

There was no answer .

She slipped from her saddle , the reins in her left

aesarin o hand , and cautiously advanced . C , his head close to her, followed at her heels with a low whinny, as if he were afraid of being left alone . The shadow revealed itself as a heap of human bodies . They did

t o o not stir nor utter a sound . Elpis grasped the p n e f and turned it over . It was a eunuch , sti f and stark .

she a . Shuddering , pulled away nother Beneath the

on two lay Mitro . She dropped her knees , and tear ing open his shirt put her hand on hi s hea rt . There were several ghastly wounds about his shoulders ; but 278 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

n ot he was warm like the others , and there was a faint ﬂickering of his heart . She chafed his hands and wrists , but could not revive him . Why had she not thought of bringing a ﬂask of brandy with her ? Per haps on e of her men had some . She must summon them . It might be dangerous , but there was no help for it .

She rose to her feet . ’ as Now , C sarino , don t be frightened , she said , caressing him . Holding her revolver over her head she ﬁred twice into the air . The horse started violently . Fortunately ’ he had been used to Elpis s ﬁring from his back .

Than as In only a minute y came tearing up , lashing his horse like a demon to force him against the smell of blood . “ ’ ’

Than as . ve . I m all right , y I found Mitro

Thank God ! I thought He stopped . Even under the circumstances Elpis noticed in what a suspiciously short time the old coachman had appeared . Have you any brandy with you ? Mit ro is un con ” scious . “

Yes . hi They forced some of the liquor between s lips , and

' - raise himself . Mitro , half reviving , struggled to “ is Be quiet , Mitro . It is I , Elpis . Where Miss Grey ? Did Orkhan

280 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

’ I 11do what I can , he answered .

e on e u He tri d powerf l restorative after another, at

. i i ﬁrst without success F nally M tro moaned , and muttered something .

Elpis leaned over him . “ ” i s i ? ! sh What it , M tr o Speak e commanded . ” — — Orkhan , he muttered . There were many and again he relapsed into un consciousness .

The Greek girl straightened herself up . “ ” “

. o It is enough , Doctor , she said Do what y u ” can for hi m . I must leave you .

She went to her own room , and sat down at the

n . table , her elbows o it , her head in her hands The minutes passed and she did not stir . She was think

i t u t w ing hard , try ng o ﬁnd o what as best to do for

If only her brother were here ! He could go straight — to Orkhan and demand the return of Millicent and kill hi m if he refused . But now she had t o do every

of thing herself . The idea going to the American Em bassy suggested itself to her , but she was afraid that if matters passed into the slow hands of diplomacy NIi she might never see llicen t again alive . She went over and over every po ssible place where

M li n ul l for lce t co d be , sitting immobi e so long a time that on e might have thought she had fallen as leep

e f aft r the terrible fatigues o the day . ” h a r He has taken her to the Palace , s e ﬁn lly c ied THE SEARCH 28 1

with conviction . The most dangerous place is the lkh h ” is M a at ou n as . safest , and it who her in charge She thought of going herself t o the Palace ; but if

M alkh at ou n his were accomplice , she would certam be refused admission ; and if a hint of her errand crept

u t a o , it might mean even worse d nger to Millicent from the jealousy of Princess Leila . Some on e el se must penetrate into the Palace for

on s her, and this some e must be a Turki h lady, power

n ot n ful enough to be received , and a k own friend of hers .

Elpis sat without movement for half an hour . “ ” I must risk it, she murmured at length . CHAPTER XLII

A LEAF FROM THE PAST

old N a rambling wooden palace , darkened by the

weather and the years , and so close to the waters of as i n the Bosphorus to seem to be ﬂoat ng o them , lived a daughter of the late Sultan Aziz . In years gone by she had been famous for her beauty and for her daring , which deﬁed even the

f . customs o her race and religion Her palace, then , had been the rendezvous of the ﬁer cest spirits of the time , and had been visited by many handsome men , both Mussulman and Christian . Now it stood

it s i silent and gloomy , portals rarely open ng to admit strangers ; for on e day Death entered with the other guests and when he went away he took with him the f joy o the household , the only child of the terrible princess .

- El ls 5 And to day , while p horses were taking her to ’ old this palace , the Sultan s daughter was sitting cross

of legged on her divan , dealing out a pack cards before

sh her . Three rows of seven cards e laid down , face h upward . The rest s e held in the palm of her left hand . From a low table near her she took a lighted cigarette and smoked it , while studying the cards .

she Laying the cigarette down , turned up three more

284 , IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

' n and the eu uch , protest in every movement , noisily closed the lattice and the window . Wrathfully he went into the next room , returning with a towel , and bade hi s mistress dry her face and hair .

The Princess suffered his scolding without protest . Had he not held her in his arms when she was a baby? And had he not endur ed all her whims and caprices ever since ? Moreover , had he not been her conﬁdant in all her tempestuous life? “ ” ! sh There, there e exclaimed , drying her hair there is n o reason Why you should be so scoldy for a ” little thing like that .

You call it a little thing , your catching cold ? Be

o sides , why did you g and do such a dreadful thin g ” as to send for her ? ? Send for whom the Princess asked .

his The eunuch glared deﬁantly at mistress . “ Are you going to deny that you sent for her?

ou When you tell me whom y mean , I may deny or ”

s . not , a I please

n The eu uch took a step toward the Princess , trying

hi s to hold bent old body erect . Suddenly he broke into a whimper . “

s . al Why , to ee her will be enough t o kill you It ” ’ most ﬁnished me , and he fell at his mistress s feet , crying like a child . “ Yusuf ! My little Yusuf ! What has happened ? Who is here? A LEAF FROM THE PAST 28 5

The eunuch raised hi s head . “ ’ ri ho ou los i Papa g p Pasha s daughter is downsta rs , “ as ou r on he wailed , with the same face little e had .

The Princess gasped . She clutched at her t hroat , as if she were choking . “ ” u ! Allah , be mercif l to me she implored . Then “ ' ’ u h f n ou eanX n to the eun c Yus f, y m e ophon Effendi s daughter? ”

The eunuch nodded strongly . And her face is that of o u r little on e .

of z The daughter Sultan Azi grew very pale . Trem bling shook her . ” Water ! she begged . The distress of hi s mistress brought the eunuch to

for . hi s senses . He ﬁlled a glass her

The Princess drank in deep gulps . “ ” Where i s she ? she demanded , as soon as she could speak . “ Where else but downstairs . ’ ’ ” s uf ! Don t let me ee her , Yus Don t let me see her ! ” Then you did not send for her?

She shook her head . ‘ The eunuch fell into a rage . She has dared , then , all by herself ! ” Y The Princess clutched his arm . ou said she ” n looked like my little o e , and you are cross at her ! “ ” “ for she I hate her , he screamed , is living , and ” ou r little on e is dead . 28 6 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

The Princess pointed to the rain outside . “ It is the day of the ghouls and the djinns of the

i s graveyard . We cannot send h child away when she ”

u s . comes to Think of it , Yusuf his child !

on She threw herself the sofa , weeping pitifully . ” ! ! she Xenophon Xenophon murmured tenderly . ” My little daughter my little on e ! For a few minutes she abandoned herself to her grief . Then she raised herself up with resolution . “ ” Go bring her here , Yusuf . ” ou ? l Are y mad the o d man demanded . It will kill you . I told you it nearly ﬁnished me . I shall be ”

- put t o sleep in the graveyard to night . “ ’ You Go fetch Xenophon Effendi s child , Yusuf .

on . must bring her to me , and no e else Go , Yusuf .

With uncertain steps the eunuch left the roo m , and shortly reappeared with Elpis .

The Greek girl salaamed low , in Turkish fashion , to the woman she had never seen , to the woman who had virtually killed her mother , who had ruined her home , and of whom she had now come to ask a favor . l After the salutation , the two women , the o d and the young , stood facing each other , in the middle of the room . l i ’ E p s s heart was beating fast .

The Princess drew her fur cloak aroun d her . She was shivering .

2 88 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

spoken to her thus , he would hardly have left the house alive ; but Elpis Paparighopoulos had not only

e she c ar the fac of her father , ried herself like him , and the tones in which she spoke were t he s ame tones which years ago had thrilled the older woman an d made her mad for love . “ ’ hi Xenophon s c ld , tell me what it is you wish of me .

She curled herself up on the sofa , and motioned

Elpis to sit beside her .

as os Elpis did she was bid , and then , as shortly as p h sible , explained t o her w y she had come t o her . She ended

is Something tells me that she in the Palace . Will ” you help me to ﬁnd my friend? “ H ow am I to know her without asking ques tions that would be dangerous to ask? “ From her golden hair ; from the pure light which burns in her gray - blue eyes ; and above all from the independent way she carries herself that of a race

h as . ou which never been conquered If y ﬁnd her, I will attend to getting her ou t .

The Princess dropped her head in her hands , and remained in this position for a few minutes . When she raised her head , her face was pitifully white and drawn . Elpis had brought the past t oo vividly before her . “ Are you very fond of thi s American girl ? she A LEAF FROM THE PAST 28 9

n ot asked , because she wanted to know, but that she might again hear the voice of the girl who resembled her daughter . “ I love her . The tone thrilled the older woman .

I had a daughter once , younger than you , and as beautiful as you are . She is dead . Allah took her l from me when she was ike an almond tree in blossom .

as s She w so graceful in her youth , o pure in the dawn of her womanhood ; and every day she lived she be came more perfect . Allah gave her all the gifts , so ” that I might suffer the more when he struck me . She hi d her face in her hands again and wept

It is because she is dead that I came to you .

The Princess took her hands from her tear - stained face and lean ed forward , searching the face of Elpis . “ Y ou are very wise for your age . H ow did you come by so much wisdom ? “ I am motherless . I had t o learn for myself .

han m I shall help you , young ou , but not because ” of your mother ; for my debt to her I paid long ago .

n She stopped speaki g and gazed before her , her eyes dark , with a light in them of fear and horror . “ Yes , I have paid the debt I owed your mother .

- She pulled a bell rope , and the eunuch answered it . ” Bring me the secret coffer .

She covered her face again , and remained thus un til the eunuch placed before her a small strongbox of

Oriental device . O 290 IN . THE SHAD W OF ISLAM

o . You can g , Yusuf

She unlocked the box , and from a secret drawer

ou t took what looked like a bejeweled cigarette case . l From this she brought forth ha f a dozen letters , yellow

on with years . One by e she read them over , and put them back again in the case . “ ’ Take this , Xenophon s child , and when you are alone and locked in your room , read them , and burn them . They may n ot be safe in your keeping . They ’ were found in your father s hunting - lodge in Thessaly after he had been made a prisoner on suspicion of be ing connected with the uprising in Macedonia . The man who was sent by the Sultan to ﬁnd these papers

- was in love with me and I loathed him . He brought them to me . My mother was a Mussulman Cretan and had taught me to read Greek . I read these letters ’ and knew what it would mean to Xenophon s children

is if they were ever brought to light . It because I bought these letters from the man at his own price

that you still are what you are . Otherwise you would to - day be on e of those thousand nameless wo men who get their living from the gutters of this piti

Y s less city . e , I have paid my debt to your mother at a cost which may you never know .

She held out the jeweled case to Elpis .

e . Take them , the Princess continu d Allah was might have been molliﬁed by my sacriﬁce , but he

n ot .

292 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

She ki ssed the letters .

she o Millicent , whispered , if y u only knew what peace you have brought t o my heart . I have lived all these years under a cloud of shame , disown f ing my own fa t her in my heart , and because o you I ” get him back a hero .

She read the letters once more . Then lighted a can

n . T o dle , and one by o e burned them over it the last black ashes she spoke : “ What a sword of Damocles you were, and we did ” n ot even know it . CHAPTER XLH I

THE CHILDREN OF THE TURKS

’ RKHAN in his disguise stood in M alkhat ou n s

for . room , by the latticed window , waiting her k The sun was setting , and the s y outside was a mass of iridescent black clouds , lined with ﬁery red .

M alkhat oun was A rustle of silk , a light step , and in the room . Orkhan turned around and ﬁlled his eyes with the sight of the girl who was helping him to forget lVIilli cent . Ever since the last time he had been here and had become aware of her womanliness , her image had stayed with him . Seeing her again she was fairer than his remembrance of her , and dearer than when she had come to him in spirit . “ con Allah be with thee , cousin , the girl said , f i scious o h s burning glance . “ o Allah is always with thee , he resp nded ; and ” since I am near thee, I am near Allah . “ Yo u are extravagant , cousin .

is How can I be extravagant , when it impossible even t o be just . The human language is not intended t o describe heavenly beings . ’ s The blush deepened on M alkhat ou n s face . Thi was a new Orkhan speaking ; and the light in hi s eyes 294 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

added fuel to the ﬁre in her own heart . Yet she did not dare to understand what another woman might have let herself un derstand . “ As soon as I heard of your return to town I sent ” for you on a matter which concerns you deeply, she said . “ I would that you had sent for me on a matte r ” ou whi ch concerned y deeply , he replied .

hi s di His tone and words sconcerted her . She has tened on “ Cousin , Princess Leila is holding Melisande H a ”

h . noum prisoner . I fear s e means to hurt her “ ” Ah ! Orkhan commented With rather exag

in diﬂ eren ce gerated he added , What an absurd per son Princess Leila is becoming .

M alkh h r at ou n ad expected an outbu st at her news , f and was disappointed at hi s careless reception o it . ” H an ou m I no longer care for Millicent , he went ’ “

n M lkh a u n s . o , noticing the wonder in a t o eyes I

she know now that is incapable of love, and therefore my own is dead .

f s She is a woman o a different race from u , pro “ l n tested M a kh at ou generously . They do not obey their instincts they obey their mi nds more . Per haps they do not understand love as we do . When we love , we belong wholly to our lord he becomes our religion . If he loves us , we are willing t o give eternity ” for one moment with him .

296 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

- e He recaptured her rose scent d hands and , holding them palm up , kissed them . Her slender frame trem bled ; and he , drawing her so close to him that their lips

: almost met , imperiously demanded “ ” Who is the man you love?

His tone enthralled the girl , who had loved him so h . s e long , with so little hope Still thirsted to hear his

h . words , before s e gave him hers “ Why do you wish to know? Why do you care? Because I love you ! Because I want your love in ? return . Tell me who is the man “

You . w , Orkhan It has al ays been you , even when ” for I did not exist you . “ You have always existed . I carried you with me in my heart without knowing it . Even when I loved the girl from the West , you came and took your place kh ” M al at ou n . by her side . I love you ,

He drew her nearer to him , and making a ring of her i h s . arms , placed them around neck Then , nestling her head on his breast , he enveloped her with his arms

of and inhaled the perfume her hair and of her throat . Thirsting to hear words of devotion which would be

’’ balm to his recent wound and would help to rec st ab l lish his pride in himse f as a conquering man , he asked : “ And are you wholly mine? ” “ as Yours , Orkhan , the ﬂower belongs to its stem ,

ﬁrm m as the star belongs to the a en t . Yours , lord of my ” t o life , do with as you please . THE CHILDREN OF THE TURKS 297

Yet even now she remembered that it was for Milli cent she had sent for him . She disengaged herself from his arms . “ f H My lord , I sent for you because o Melisande a noum . She is a prisoner perhaps in great danger . What must I do ? ” ? Why trouble about her he replied , essaying to draw her to him again . Through the ﬁre in M alkhat ou n a cold shiver h passed at his egotism . But womanlike s e would n ot permit herself to think ill of the man she was making her god . “ My lord , we must think of her . ! Very well When we become masters here , you ” may keep her as your slave , if you like . “ She is not ours to dispose of , my lord . It is be cause we brought it upon her that she is now in dan

. is o ger I cannot be happytill she free , and u t of the ” Palace . k Or han laughed . “ M alkhat o n M alkhat ou n ea u , my little , you are j l ” ou s of her you ! you ! my queen ! “ My lord , I love you above jealousy and above

ask meanness . When you came to my help to get her ,

I already loved you . Still , I worked to give you as wife the woman you wanted myself without hope .

ul If you desired her again , I sho d again help to make her yours . It is not for me who love you to deny you 298 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

anything , even if its gratiﬁcation should mean death ” for me .

Her nobility awed him . “ lkh M a at ou n . Forgive me , I will do what you

- wish , only you must wait twenty four hours . Even at this minute I ought not t o be here ; but I could n ot ” ou keep myself from coming when y sent for me . “ ? ” Are things near a crisis , my lord “ He nodded . We shall strike in t wo days . “ ” Inshallah ! Inshallah ! the girl prayed .

of And you know what that will mean , houri my earthly heaven . It will mean that I can make you ” mine absolutely mine . “ I am that now , my master . But since go you ” must , you had better go now , my lord . Taking one

of she of his hands in each hers , led him to the door , “ ” and called for the slaves . Go , my lord . After he was gone she walked slowly back to the window . The gorgeous colors of the afterglow were

of sobered . Only small patches yellow and rose were

on - s strewn here and there the gray blue ky , like

ﬂower petals scattered by the wind . “ I should have liked him more generous toward ”

she . the woman he once loved , murmured Her happiness was marred by this cruelty t o that other woman ; but she resolutely closed the door t o her heart which admi tted heresies toward her lord . She found excuse for him because Millicent had made

CHAPTER XLIV

TH E CHILDREN OF THE GREEKS

has HE master has returned , Miss Elpis . He gone

‘ ” is to h rooms , and asked not to be disturbed . ” is Thank heaven , he bac k .

She went immediately to her brother , and found

. on him writing He rose her appearance , with a slight frown . “ I am sorry , Niko , but it was of the utmost import ance that I should see you at once . Millicent

n . She stopped , struck by his appeara ce He seemed so “ ” l . . o d and careworn Niko , how tired you look She

n hi . Y put her hand o s forehead ou are feverish , t oo, ” dear . “ I have hardly slept since I left here . Y ou must not work yourself to death , Niko .

n It is not work that pulls o e down , enthusiasm

ou f takes the hardship t o work , it is lost con ﬁ dence , disillusionment . “ Have the plans miscarried again ? she asked in a low tone .

He shook his head .

The plans are all right . If nothing new goes wrong, ” the Young Turks will be masters here in two weeks . “ ” Then , what is it , Niko ? THE CHILDREN OF THE GREEKS 301

I have lost my faith in Orkhan , and mistrust the ” s of C intention the Turks toward the hristians . “ You ought never to have believed much in them , and you ought n ot to have made of Orkhan a sort of ” demigod , as you did . He had always shown himself so ﬁne ; but since the night he killed the Armenian a curtain has dropped

t o between what he appeared be and what he is . We had a discussion two nights ago , and he clearly told me that the Youn g Turks had no intention of letting Crete go and that he had come to think they were

on right . And he had sworn it to me , and that pro mise the money was raised among the Greeks . Life contains so little when o n e loses faith in the man with ” whom on e has worked for years .

ou Brother , have y given him most ofyour money?

No . I gave him most of my income , but the prin

n cipalis intact . I was just engaged o that when you came in . I have a presentiment that I had better put my affairs in order . Some years ago I made a will leavin g most of what I had to Orkhan to be used for the cause . I am revoking that will , and shall leave hi everyt ng to you , to u se for whatever purpose you i think best . It s all in foreign securities , with the ” Bank of England . “ Thank you , brother . We need money . We need better schools than we have ; and above all , the Greek ” boys need mi litary training . 8 02 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

A signiﬁcant glance passed between brother and sister , and for the ﬁrst time in their lives both had only on e thought the fear of the Turk for their nation .

w s old There a a knock at the door , and the nurse came in with a letter . “ The messenger said it was urgent .

She gave it to Elpis and left the room .

The girl tore it open and hastily read it . “ ” sh It is this I came to see you about , e said , when “ ff she had ﬁnished it . Millicent was carried o , three days ago “ ”

! Ri ho . Orkhan g cried , starting up

s . No . I thought o , too , until this letter came It “ is she hesitated it is from a Turkish princess

I kn ow . Listen : “ ‘ Your friend is in the haremlik of Princess Leila .

I came by the knowledge only yesterday . It may be

- possible to rescue her to night . I send you the key to ’ a little gate in the Palace wall . At ten o clock count three hundred paces northward from the southeast

f is f o . o corner the wall There , there a clump four i . v s n large cypresses From then on , at inter als , are gle cypresses , close to the wall . Opposite the twenty

ﬁrst f , after the clump o four , is a little gate , half hid den beneath a tangle of vines . It opens inward , and this key will unlock it . A guide will be waiting , a

of trusted eunuch ours . Send two men only , armed

304 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

t o She wished tell him about their father, but i changed her m nd and went from the room .

’ i At ten o clock that night , R gho and Euripides were creeping along the wall of the Palace , counting the cypresses under their breath . The new moon had set

s hours before , and clouds hut off even the faint light

f In the dark , and in the vagueness o thought which the dark induces , they feared lest they had made a mistake in the counting . “ Do you make this the twenty - ﬁrst ? whi spered

i h . R g o , stopping ” ’

. n t see Yes , Euripides replied I could the gate at all when I came to reconnoitre this afternoon . It must be un der this clump of vines . With considerable difﬁculty they found t he door in the wall , and cautiously inserted the key . The hinges creaking slightly , they opened it and stepped inside .

The black form of a eunuch appeared before them . “ ” I am to conduct you , he said softly .

They followed him . He did not take any path , but

ou t walked noiselessly over the grass , in and among the trees . The Greeks tried to preserve some idea of direction , in case ﬂight became necessary ; but soon lost all sense of this , and had to trust entirely to their i gu de . The light night breeze was murmuring through the THE CHILDREN OF THE GREEKS 305

trees and bushes , ﬁlling the air wi th obscure , terrify

r ing noises that might mean anything o nothi ng . The life of the Palace was not yet asleep . This time was better than a later would be . If seen now , they might b e mistaken for some who had business in the Palace

h r r i grounds . T e e we e l ghts in various palaces , and the sound of laughter and talkin g ﬂoated ou t on the vagrant breeze .

on e of Their guide stopped , near the palaces , and motioned to them to squat down among a clump of bushes . For ﬁfteen minutes they waited . Then there appeared two candles in a window . ” Everything is going well , the eunuch whispered . Now we must wait until a third candle is placed by ” the other two .

- A long half hour dragged away . No third candle

Ri h o was lighted beside the two . g and Euripides be came more and more impatient ; but the eunuch remained stolidly squatting among the bushes , and

x showed no sign of an iety . “ ! ” i h Ah breathed R g o , as ﬁnally a slave came to the unlatticed window . She peered ou t into the night as if she would fain pierce its blackn ess where everything must be invisi

. n ble to her Then , leaning down , she blew ou t o e of the candles , and then the other . The Greeks caught the sinister import of the act even before the eunuch muttered excitedly : 306 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

” Something h as gone wrong !

on Still they waited , their eyes ﬁxed the dark , where the two candles had shone , hoping against hope that they would be relighted . They had not yet made up their minds to abandon their undertaking when a shadowy form emerged suddenly from the darkness . “ ” ’ ou ? Where are y , Senih whispered a girl s voice .

Here I am , the eunuch whispered .

- sh Princess Leila was restless to night , and e sent for the American slave to come and talk to her . You ” had better H u sh ! She faded away into the night as silently as she had come . At the same instant the eunuch grasped ’ Righo s arm convulsively . R ! ” un to the gate he said in an agonized whisper . ” n The Palace guard is comi g .

n At home Elpis , for o e of her nature , was having a harder task than the men inactivity . She had wished to go with them , at least as far as the gate ; but Ri gho would not hear of this . In spite of all he knew of n his sister , he could ot get over the idea that the ’ woman s place was in the house to wait , while the man h . s e acted And for once was obliged to give in , since he refused to go unless she promised to remain at home .

of d R The hours the night dragge slowly on . eading

308 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

e her hands , and kiss d it over and over again . The l tears ﬂowed silently . At last she began to ta k to hi m . “ ! di d Oh , Niko dear And I not tell you about ” h i father , s e wh spered , as if he could still hear her . “ i i . Brother , he d ed endeavor ng to free Macedonia ”

was on e . His death , like yours , a noble i She kissed h s eyes and his brow and his lips , giving him the many tender names she had given him when she was a child and worshi ped him without any crit i

c ism .

Euripides stood silently by , his heart bleeding at the grief he was unable to lessen . He wished that he ’ were in her brother s place . Then she might have been sorry for him . She might have cried for him . She might even have kissed him , dead .

At last Elpis looked up at hi m . “ Tell me , Euripides , how it all happened . She listened while in a mufﬂed voice he described the failure of their plans , to the time when the candles were blown out . He continued . “ Then the guards surprised us . We ran for the little gate , and had almost reached it when we found

u r some eunuchs between us and it . O gui de deserted us . Righo and I fought our way on . Then he fell . The

off others caught up with us . I beat them , and carried

Niko through the gate and along the wall , till the men we had left with the horses heard the noise and came ” t o our help . THE CHILDREN OF THE GREEKS 309

He had spoken simply , like a child telling why he

s ha failed to execute an errand . “ And you carried Niko , while ﬁghting for your ? ” life asked Elpis very gently . “ But you would have grieved if his body were left ” in their hands , he replied . ” Yes , I should .

She looked at him as if seeing him for the ﬁrst time .

She noticed his torn clothes , his bandaged head , and the limp way in which on e of his arms was hanging by his side . “ Euripides , she said slowly , I do not have in my heart for you what I think a woman ought to feel for the man she marries ; but if you want me , I will marry ” you . ’ She held out her hand to him across her brother s dead body .

Euripides took it and raised it to his lips . Her willingness to pay wi th herself for what he had done for her moved him as he had never been moved in his life . Although at another time he might have h taken er on any terms , at this instant he rose to the degree of nobility equal to her own . “ If you ever marry me , dear , you must have in ” your heart what you think you ought to have .

In her tu rn Elpis raised his hand to her lips . CHAPTER XLV

THE LAS T CHAPTER

R t wo E Y early in the morning , days later , a closed carriage drove rapidly through the vil

of lages along the Asiatic coast the Bosphorus . It

of Pa ari ho ou lo stopped at a side gate the p g p s place , and the eun uch on the box beside the driver sprang down and opened the door .

Millicent Grey , clothed like a Turkish woman , stepped forth . She held ou t her hand to the gask maked woman inside .

- Good bye she said . I cannot imagine why you ” should have done this for me . I can only thank you . “ - n Good bye , young American h a ou m . Tell the child of Xenophon Effendi that she may always come to me when she needs help only when she needs ” - ! help . Good bye

The eunuch closed the door , and the carriage drove off as rapidly as it had come . “ f What a strange sort o woman , Millicent mur “ e mured , looking after it . It must have b en a con siderable risk for her to rescue me . I suppose she is a

! she friend of Elpis . Dear Elpis I wonder if is ex

ec in p t g me . e Millicent passed through the gateway , and hurri d

312 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

lVI illicen t draperies . At sight of them , hesitated ; but e Elpis , dropping the cr pe she was holding , gazed at

she her for an instant as if could not believe her eyes , and then rushed to her and threw her arms around her . ” on e ! My very dearest she cried , touching her arms and shoulders to make sure it was a real lVI illi cent and n ot a vision . The warmth of the greeting dispelled the mi sgiv ings that had come over the American girl , and quite

she l happily let Elpis lead her to her o d quarters , where the Greek girl again gave her an affectionate 3 ’ hug ; then held her 0 at arms length , crying “ You really here ! And safe sound ? ” _

Millicent only answered with a long sigh of content . “ ” And how did you get o u t ? f In the middle o last night I waked up suddenly . ‘ ’

ld . A tall o woman was there Come with me , she said . She mufﬂed me up till I could hardly see . Some thing in her manner made me feel that she meant me ’

as . ! no harm , so I did exactly I was told Oh you don t know how I tried to keep down the hope that I was going to be freed , as we crept out into the cool night , and over the grass to a little gat e in a tall wall . Out

a arria . side was c ge , and we drove a long way to a boat After we crossed the Bosphorus there was another

! she carriage , and Oh I almost forgot something told me to tell you , and Millicent delivered the message of the old woman to Elpis . THE LAST CHAPTER 318

And P rincess Leila did you n o harm all the time ” she had you prisoner ? “ ” W- e - l- l , Millicent began a triﬂe doubtfully ; but the bubbling joy of being safe with her friends again was too much for her . She threw back her head and laughed , and as she did so her scarf fell from her hair . “ ! ! ” Your hair Your lovely hair Elpis cried .

Millicent laughed again . “

Y s . e , it suffered vicariously Princess Leila told me that she was going to disﬁgu re me so that no man would ever care to look at me again . She began by cutting off my hair . “ Did she do nothing else?

Millicent held ou t her hands . On her wrist were the red marks of chains . ’ That was n t very bad , she said cheerfully , though I did hate the feeling of being perfectly helpless . Well , I came over here thinking I should be able to teach the women of the East . I have only

ou ? I learned myself . But , Elpis , why are y in black s Mitro “

0 was . . N , he only wounded He will recover She stopped and considered for a minute . Yet there was “ no use in trying to hide it from Millicent . My i ” brother s dead . “ ”

i h ! . Mr . R g o Millicent cried , horriﬁed When ? How ? ” 314 IN THE SHADOW OF ISLAM

i Two days ago . I w ll tell you some day how he ” died not n ow.

on Millicent fell her knees before Elpis , and the t wo girls clung to each other for an instant . Then Elpis gently pushed her away , and rose to her feet . “ see If you would like to him , come now with me ; ” for in a short time they will be here to take him . Elpis took Millicent down to the largest of the

- reception rooms . It was all draped in black and

w on of wreaths of ﬂo ers were every piece furniture .

of In the middle the room stood a black velvet cofﬁn , heavi ly orn amented with silver . Torches were burn

Pa ari ho u l s ing at the head and foot , and Niko p g po o , dressed as if for a reception , with a ﬂower in his but tombole , and the ikon of his patron saint on his crossed hands , was sleeping his last sleep and rec eiv ing his last human homage . f Millicent put her arm through that o Elpis , and f the t wo girls drew near the co ﬁn . “ l ” So much I can te l you , Elpis said at last . H is death was worth while .

As they were standing thus , the door opened , and

Mitro advanced painfully toward the coffin . “ ’ Mitro ! Have n t the doctors forbidden you t o ” move ? Elpis cried , running toward him .

n Without disrespect he waved her aside , a d came to his dead master . He placed both his hands on the

of Pa ari ho u los : body Niko p g po , saying solemnly

at ti c ﬁ iberxibe press

CA M BR I D GE M A S S A CH US ET T S

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