Saved from the Harem
Summary
A prairie-bred patriarch, Ezra Hickman, drags his kin from the corn-husk quietude of Kankakee to the perfumed treachery of Vergania—a Ruritanian pocket kingdom where velvet gloves sheath iron wills—after an Ottoman-flavored envoy dangles diplomatic gilt before Mrs. Hickman’s parlor-room vanity. Daughter Amy, whose heart already beats in 4/4 time to aU.S. Navy lieutenant’s pulse, is paraded through gilded arcades until the Selim’s gaze fastens on her like a jeweled clasp. Court favorite Hanoum, erstwhile jasmine-scented star of the harem’s seraglio-cinema, unsheathes jealousy’s stiletto; when steel fails, the despot resorts to tower-bound captivity, reducing the American clan to gilded hostages. Enter Lieutenant Brice, spurred by a dropped lorgnette and a midnight swimmer bearing exile’s intel, storming crenellated ramparts with a shore-party that rewrites gunboat diplomacy as chivalric rescue. Selim Bey, stripped of omnipotence, dips his turbaned head beneath the Stars and Stripes, reimbursing honor in coin and contrition.
Synopsis
Ezra Hickman, of Kankakee, is a political aspirant. At a reception in Washington with his wife and daughter Amy he meets the Ambassador of Selim Bey, the ruler of a small European kingdom, Vergania. The Ambassador, seeking an American girl for his ruler, paints a glowing picture of Vergania to Hickman's wife, with the result that she persuades her husband to accept the American Consulate at. Vergania. Amy, the daughter, is enamored of Lieutenant Brice of the U.S. Navy, and reluctantly she agrees to leave him and go with her family. Arriving at the Selim's palace, Amy becomes immediately the favorite of the Selim, and he plans to win her. Hanoum, the former favorite of His Highness, becomes angered and attempts to kill Amy at the festivities given in honor of the Hickmans. The Selim presses his advances, and learning his intent, Mr. Hickman and Amy become disgusted and resolve to leave, but they are seized and imprisoned in the castle tower. In the interim the ship to which Lieutenant Brice is attached steams into Vergania Harbor. He hastens to find Amy, but learns that the Hickmans have mysteriously disappeared. At a dinner tendered the naval officers by Selim Bey he discovers a lorgnette belonging to Mrs. Hickman and accuses the Selim. He is convinced of his error and leaves for the ship. Hanoum, the former favorite, decides to inform Brice, and making her escape, swims to his ship. Brice returns with an armed force and succeeds in rescuing Amy. Selim Bey is made to salute the American flag and make retribution for the actions he has pursued.
