Omar Kassam; A MODERN FREE LANCE, OR THE Romantic Career OF THE Baron's Daughter.

Lake County Press, Issue 2140, 18 October 1906, Page 2

Omar Kassam; A MODERN FREE LANCE, OR THE Romantic Career OF THE Baron's Daughter.

By St. George Rathborne, Author, of “A Qodcss of Africa, '* &c., &c.

(All Rights Reserved.)

v PART 11. CHAPTER XXXIII. . ( BEYOND THE CRIP OF THE RUSSIAN. I It may .bo set. down for curtain that Omar Kassam experienced a sense of groat relief when ho realized ihat apparently the worst, of his troubles had been left behind. The Cossacks hail been bauly whipped, and in nil probability nothing more need be feared from that quarter, The Tartars, in turn had received a most unmerciful drubbing, and could not regain courage enough to continue their persecutions, especially since Charley declared he had bowled the leader over on his own account, so that, unless some unforeseen mis- j adventure cropped up to destroy their sense of security it began to look as though they might have a tlenr held ahead. 1 I'nder such conditions it was only natural for Kassam to experience a glorious feeling of peace towards all humanity. Tie could even forgive the illustrious count, since but for that worthy's persecution of Eloise, be would never have had the opportun-

ify of making her acquaintance and in the "cour'so of events, becoming her champion. Ho was also in a humour (<> enjoy ii joke, and laughed immoderately ni the really comical spectacle which Charley presented after his hand-to-hand conflict with the Don Cossacks. Yet Charley was just tho sarin', with tho exception of a hump on his

forehead Iho size of a robin's egg, whore 0110 of the rough rider had come in contact with him during the hot scrimmage— as full of humour, ready to crack a joke or sing a song; in fact, the ideal Bohemian whom Kassam loved. They kept watch all night, taking turns at tho onerous duty. Hoing in a strange land. I hey know not what ovil an hour might bring forth. Nothing happened, however, and with the dawn they wore awake, pro paring tho matin tneal, which this time did not consist of fish, and yet Kassam as ho looked bark to that meagre repast, was fain to confess that it must ever be. one of the must fascinating feasts he had ever taken. The Journey was resumed. Now they headed towards the south, hoping to roach one of the oitios on tho border of Manchuria and Korea, whence they could descend by caravan to Mukden, thence to N>w Chwaug, and from this latter port take steamer for their ultimate destination. Flung Kong. In order to accomplish this, ii bocatue necessary for them to cross a

river, and this was a task thai required enroful work, for, like the S-.nigaru, it was no pigmy stream Ami the current would play the tinschief with a waggon, unless some means were taken to offset its violence. Michaefwas" a tower of strength in the desert, and Kassam, too, had more or l"ss to say, regarding the best way this could bo accomplished so that, in the end, they reached tinopposite bank without any great damage being done, and now had a clear field to the borders of civilizat i on. The distance was considerable, and their provisions ran alarmingly low, so that Charley began to throw out strong hints in regard to my lady tn order to catch a supply of fish, provided they came to a likely stream Luckily, however, they were not reduced to the necessity of so Lent en a diet, for ere the last supply of food had been devoured they ran across a ■Russian caravan that, was returning from some Russian depot,, having taken a cargo of China tea thither; and from these wanderers it, was learned that they had only one more day's journey in order to reach .Mukden. This, of course, was glorious news. They thought best to keep with the caravan, since they had warning that n celebrated robber and his band were known to be scouring the immediate vicinity, find none of I hem hankered after a new series of adventure. As Charley aptly put it, what was to become of his raiment if lie entered into any more hustling matches. It. was after nightfall when tlic\ drew near Mukden, and glad indeed were they to see the lights of the city, which t hcf knew to be a very cosmopolitan place indeed, having representatives of many Asiatic nations within its borders. Nevertheless it wo,s rather disconcerting that the first sounds they should hear as I hey drew near the lights that flickered from many camp fires outside the walls of Mukden should be the weird peasant song of a Cossack as he boasted of I he glories of his Mother- Volga. Strangely enough it sounded on (he rlr.\' nigh I air, and peculiarly so In this little company I ha 1 had for so many days been deluging themselves with I he idea that I hey were leasing everything pertaining to Russia far behind, and that their t roubles were in the dim past. Charley vociferously declared it his belief that they had been travelling l in a circle—he had heard that Inst | people always did that—and were now approaching Vladivostok again, I at which Rloisc uttered a pitiful | little cry. and involuntarily clutched | at Kassam's sleeve. On his part, the latter feared their old enemy. Captain OrlofT, had es- ', caped the Tartars, and arrived ahead ' of them, so that he was now waiting I for their appearance in order to ! carry out- his imperative i,rdi-r.s l-'ori unatel.s for their peace of mind, Michael knew better, and lias _

tened to dispel their fears h.\ an nouncing that these Russian rough riders were the armed escort of the engineers uho were busily engaged in laying out the line of the Manehurian railway to connect the Trnns-Siber-inn with the new possession on the i Oulf of I'e ('hile, Port \rt hur.

! So it proved. None of the partx had am pen chant for Cossacks just then, and consequently paid no visit to their camp. Fioisc was more or less turbed over their presence, and it j ! ook most of Kiissuiu's lime ('■ nassure her. Nevertheless, he managed to secure a chance to join ;i caravan starting on the morrow for (he eit.\ "tit))•• sen. New f'hwang. As they were leaving the eit\ walls a little detachment of horsemen ramin sight, dusty and looking as though I hex had 1 it through the wars, with their steeds almost dead with fatigue, and the men tottering in their sheepskin saddles. Michael was the first to catch sight of them, and came to warn the others in good time, for it was truly Orloff, the indomitable wolfhound of the steppes, still on the trail of his quarry. Ilis little party, only live, in till, came pretty close to the caravan, and our friends were in an agony of apprehension lest he recognise their conveyance as the tarantnss that had slipped through his lingers of late. Not that they feared the starosta personally, or would have minded meeting his shattered command in warfare ; but not three miles away three hundred Cossack troopers lav encamped, upon whom he might call to assist him. j As one turantass looks pretty much like another when covered with tindust of the desert, Orloff failed to discover inything suspicious about them. Perhaps he was too dead tired to see straight, and t hex fervently hoped his weariness would hold good for twenty four hours. The caravan became too slow for them niter that, and at a consultation it was decided that they had better take the risks consequent of pushing ahead alone, rather- than await the coming of the Cossacks, who would surely appear sooner inlater.

I tling pace, mill headed south, j Tin' road was plainly marked, sn that really (here was no (lander of losing themselves on I he great stretch of territory still lying In' tWPCII them ;inil tin- seashore. It was ilie best thing tins could havo dour, for that \cr,\ night the indefnl ignblc Orion rounded up the slow-moving caravan, and mad,' a i search for I hi! fugitives whom he had so stubbornly followed ncarl.i a thousand miles in all. ()f course, Iv did not gel t hem, but by this lime t)rlolT v. as becoming quite used t<i being left in the lureli. and plodded on, hoping to rearh New I'lnvang before tlu-\ embarked. Having o\errome the dillieulties in 1 the way, il was just hic.li noon when Jour little parly reached (he cit.i on I he gulf, J> At this ti things had not become i (piill- so arbi t ranl\ li.ved in ' he hands of the governing Cower: as I now , so that the newcomers w>'W not subjected to the rigours of an examina t ion, but allow ed to enter j the city with t he ot her-, w ho u ere I pressing forward from various part-. I They had no desire to see a 11.1 1 thing of New Chwang. What CrrI many or Russia might be going in i this region to extend the sphere of •influence which each iii turn control- ! lerl was a miilter in whieh I hey had ' no personal interest , all t he.l i|e: ir j ell being to shake oil" the dust of the roinintiniiy as quicl.h as possible The smiles of fori ufe abounded al j last. for they found a vessel just ! a bout i o lea\e for ihe soulh, her I destination being Singapore : and j the necessary arrangements having | been made, i hey went aboard. 1 he } anchor was raised, and I hey left New ! Chwang, ; This was al two in the afternoon, j and at sunset of the same day Orloll rode into the place with twenti Cos sacks, to find his birds lion n CHACTKK \\.\l\ KASSAM OKTS HIS I UsS CI! IS Probably "mar Kassam would never forget that trip by steamer, I They were gifted with good weather all the way, which was marvellous at this season oi the year, when the typhoon is apt to sweep over the Yellow and China Seas, destroying all in its track ; but perhaps fate had grown weary of tormenting these wanderers, who so sturdily resisted the pressure, and | was trying to make amends for the j past. They all enjoyed it. to the full, even Michael, who had taken service for life with Omar Kassam, being desirous of seeing something of the world, and fearful of the result should he return to any sphere of Russian influence after what he. had done for the American. Charley concocted the most arnuz- ; J ing yarns concerning the things [{us- j I sin had up her sleeve in the Cast, | which he meant to send to his paper ! when they landed at Hong Kong ; ! and surely if the man had any matj ters of interest to write about in j ; these Cistern possessions of I ho : Czar, Charley had. afler his recent : experiences. \'o doubt his Recounts would make j rich and racy reading. Kinally they reached their rlesl.ina- i Hon. Omar Kassam had b.\ degrees ! grown very ipiiei. and smoked in- j numerable cigars as he tramped the deck, while a pair of exceedingly j brighl blue e\ es kepi count of his | nervous movements, perhaps with I more or less feminine knowledge as to the cause thereof. Once t hey landed at Victoria, on j the island of Hong Kong, nothing j more was to be feared from the influence of the count, even providing i he were still in the land of the living, which they could have no means | of knowing, sine.' I he four troopers with Oi'loff had been so thoroughly covered with dust that their identity was lost. Kassam, when he had a disagreeable duty to perform, never lost any time in accomplishing it. According- \ ly he posted of] as soon us he had j seen ftloise saiely housed at the big hotel on the hill, and looked up her \ English uncle. ! He had a very entertaining st my '• < o Id! that gen! leinan. and aroused j his illleic I I ~ lew, heat ;,, || U ,| |„. I bade Ka.v.itm 1,-ad him to hi, sister's I

—^—i mammmijgmmimmm ——■——■—» ■" j child with .is nt ile dela.v a.- possible Our friend, with a sinking heart, I knew- his reign had come to nn end, since fortune had thus raised up n protector for the'maifl in distress. Ile was game tot he last . She must never see what he sUlVel'ed |in tearing himself awa.\ after their strange but wonderfully pleasant ini (err< nir.se. Kloise greeted her relative wit hj .much effusion, and quite won the old ' bachelor's heart . lie declared every ! bit of influence slum!.! I nlisted in i her behalf. and the wires hel w ecu Hong Kong and St. Petersburg were j kept hot wnli messages to his Imper ! ial Majeslv , beseeching his pardon ! for ihe escapade, and a rest oral ion ! to hi.-, good graces ~|, ti i. - part of the |,\ nine; ltiil.\ . for ii nearly broke the j merchant 's la-art i<> even t hirik of those grand estates that belonged to the family in Holy Russia being con I liscated to the Crown. His pleading must have l n very specious, or else i lie Czar Knew more of the inside history of the case than was suspected by his Ministers, for all in good time I lie hoped-for news arrived. From the goodness of his heart the Emperor had granted a full I pardon, and the count would find a j partner suitable to his rank elsewhere. It was a glorious victory. Kassam bore the news himself to Lady Eloise, and saw how delighted she appeared to be at its reception, for Russia was dear to her heart, and it must have been a givvioiis [thing had she bean debarred from ever eiiterine the domains of her

native land while she lived. '! have also thf honour of informin" - you that our friend (In- I'otnit i.l- - iti the Hesh, and Lack nt Vladi I vostok," pursued Kassam. watching her face. "How could yon know such wonderful things?" she demanded, quickly. "1 chanced to meet an old friend in the street while on the way here no ot her than OrlofT himself ' " She gave- a little cry, and I hen smiled, retneinhering that fear of him ! was now a thing of Ihe past , "Vim told him all '.»" site asked, I looking' fit him, her starry eyes hrim I nunc; with a light which the st lipid man could not understand, liejnr; ils oliltise as the generality of his s.-\ "Oh, yes, for you Know 1 rather I admire the si uMiorn iiual it ies .>f his

make-up. Think of him following m j to Hong Kong! IJIfS.S ~,.% S<llll. I 1..' ! licve he would keep i! up round I In i world- that is, i! some sf rji lorI I inn' curried us fun h.-r : h;i n this j place. When li.• had seen tin- m.-s,ap | from Uoya 11 y . hi- made a still mi 1 i 1 t.'ir.v siilul.'. lo slial.r m.\ ham: fur In- sa id In- had i oitn- I o resp.-cl : mi- a lilt le-- a II i-r |>ui i ing up such a I desperate fight, I pl'cMlllie lII' llli-itlll.--j and t hen. i iiriiing ou his heel, Ini start.-d for l In- landing. no doiibl in I tending to ;-ii hark I o Vladi\ osl ok . '< I!-- shall never li.< | least inn- ~i ; hose hj- chased over I he i stepp.-s nf Manchuria ! a- k.-d him j about Hi" i-oiiin . and In- ' old un- t Infellow had r.-ach.-d .Mukden with him. : and from lln-iv h.-.-id.-d mi to Yludi j \ ostuk. confessiim i hal he had had j l|llile enough "I" t he llllMMcss, ;l |li| t I ha l if I he ymiim lady r--.il!', cared ; I o lace such peri Is ra l h.-r l ha n :\\ \ .- hi in elici iiiraceiiii-iil . Is- w as r.-a.l\ l - - '■ ci--. ~uil s." The \ ' hi ii" lads in ipiest ion la ug lied j Ilea i ' ily ;i I his preripi r a I ■• i el ir.-iiicii l I i nun i In- arena \ ' i he sa I inie it ! |w( nine evid.-nl thai sin- had someI t him; of m< >men ' pressing . >n her | mind, for she watched ('mar ka am ' himself fur an effiul ! Casile b-aves for Kiielntid l-i morrow. ' 1 \er\ ear!;,' in I he in -rni ng. a ml I : j shall |„- |,i|s\ arraneine, m y al'i'aii s. ■ w hiclt has i;ni inl ■■ si unci hing uf a j j tangle of laie. I thought— l hal is I pel-Imps il llliglll lie 1.--I lei fur I o j sa\ coiiil-la.-, anil Coil hies- \ ou. ! !'"'«••■■ i 11.- held mil In-, hand and lor I he ! lie-, i t i in.-. sin- not iced I hat it i j trembled. Sim In..Led into his face smiling. I ! as lies! she could, and yet t limine j y,-ry ros\ herself. I Lev st range ' hat ! ; he COllld 110 l glleSS I he I I'll il \'. it 111111 l ' I mai. ill" her ■■ a,\ w . u'ds t lint ra me ; ; \ .-r\ ha id ' Hut . ! hen, s. inn- ni.-n are | so vi-n hliud, i-spi-i-iiilly when a iui-1 ! rises in ih. ir e\ .-s w hii-h w ill not : , give u a.\ . no ma I t i-r In >w \ iol.-nt I \ 1 i he\ Mink in order to disguise i he I t rut li. [ |(u( mic made mil I lie lil'sl elforl I " ', I take I he extended hand "Why are \ on going aw a.\ . iium i I sielll' ?" Sill' asked. ,ii!l |\ . ; K a--'.am caught his leva t h I ••(; I heavens, and \ ou can ask , I hal ' 1 >i<I I mil make a promise to. | j on, and am I n" 1 a man of m; w on IV j | Yon w ill find il ea's,\ t ■■ ha\.- i he i ! lionds dissolved when I am far aw a;,, ; I Some lime later on. when you are . I happy, I shall hope | ~ see \ ~u again ! j Imt ii is bet I .T ; hal I go now , You ' I would not have me 1. r.-ak I hat u on! I i if lu.m .ii i-. surelv ?' ' ".Monsieur, I absoh ■< \ ou from j I hat promise I'loeh ." i "Von are meaning lo he kind, y.-t I 1 you are also most cruel. I cannot j | renin in here, l dare not | "- "What is it still ( hlolT \ on f.-ar?" j j she whispered. eag.-rl\ "No, no. 11 is si unei hi iig im ire . distressing lo m\ I'm of mind ihan a i liousnnd < (rlol'ls. for I am ul I erly | UlKlhle to cont ml it S.-i; g I I a e I j |,.. L . of ;. ou. for lleavi-n's sake, and ' lei m>. begone ' "-■ fni rea i ingly "Mi nisiciir, ; on 11 is w h j. i a re crn.-l . j since ;.ini threaten In leave me with I out a d.-iendei in a st ra ngo land" : .Tit rea I ingly. " Ihji \ uur uncle. Sui'el;, >, on can ; depend on him. He w ill : Jim J through the whole business " groan- j illg as he spoke. "Mi uis ienr, \ es, ;. i .n a i c ci uel. fi >r you force in- in sa;. I do not want Villi 111 gl , ;l yy ;, y , j | \ oil I'lllV In I Si tiy " -dropping her head -ai I ha I | la- could m>i see how I he furious ' ; blushes were chasing each ot her ~\ er ■ face and neck. I ••Cood 11.-avea ! Kloise. do you know what you are saying when you bid me to remain with you '.' \. m I lo believe ? li is incredible '.' I am dreaniine You cannot lovi—me!" The (lowtita.sl head nodded i-jolenf ly\Vi;ll. aii.er i hal ' 'up! uin Ulnar Kas.sam would have licen ne.\i door j lo an idiot—whi.h the reader will j confess he i-crlainly was m>i had he j neglected to m-cej/t what the gods j had determined should be his portion ; and in the briefest possible spm-e of t im.- l„- had that fair head pillowed j on his shoulder, ami was .1.-mamlim' I he usual -.weel I -ill of all IH i ejded I InVi-l Timl pill ii dilleienl ii.spe. I on nf |

lair: am) when ihe Ktirliuc. Caslle mailed in i lie morning Kassam was i noi ;i passenger, for he had found that nothing imperative demanded his presence at homo. i 'l'o please F.lojso another ooreuion.v was performed, ; ,t which many of the ollieers in tho garrison were only too ; willing lo lake part. the lit He lady | of the steppes having become an an- \ gel at whose shrine they all wor!shipped. ; Her story had become partis known and so remarkable a romance served to make Kassam the hero of the hour, not that Chnrlo.v was forgot J i.-n, since a newspaper man Knows : how lu keep himself before the pub . lie. lvassa \plniiied what his motive ! had been in (est ing the V igihlllCe of the HussiaiiK at Vladivostok. It was begun in a spirit of grim Tun, to (liscover how potent the name of the \ War Minister might he. He had intended going awa.v shortly, and nothing would have come of it at all, only for his life-line being so si ranee ly crossed by that of Lady F.loiso (laving groat wealth at his command, Omar Kassam proceeded to set (he wires in motion looking towards Ihe bet termoni of the conditions surrounding the good Father | Ivan, whom he fell, must have sufI fered because f the pan he had al i most unwit Ingly taken in defiance lof the Covernor's wishes: and sueI cess attended his efforts, for a letter

j from t li.- priest assured him tha I he ! had not only been fully restored to ! his former posit ion, but had the promise of greater things in the near i fill lire Charley- \ es. he st ill labours on the great and enterprising newspaper, seeking strange things al the ends of | j the cart Ii with w huh i o regale his i j millions of readers, being but a type \ of that enterprising journalist so ■ narked a feature in connection with I ureal modern dailies. < »mar Kassam often allows his j | thoughts to (ravel back over Ihe I more recent events connected with j his stormy past , and again he hears the weird son- of Ihe Cossack sea t oil about his rnmp-liro, or perchance the j alarm of Ihe w ihl Tartar riders, as ! i hev rush lo the charge wit hj bran j dish,-,! rue,.,, [tack over the vista his j mind w adders until ii conies to thai I night of nights when first he met his ; j darling, and to his dv ing da\ he w ili j i never forget how glorious she looked | : in her peasant cost nine, ilefv ing the I brilliant assemblage that had crowded into the carpenter's house, j and publieh ackm.u lodging that she I j was the lawful wife of Omar j K assain Till' i:.\'F». i K»l7. i