The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1884-08-22
THE PEARL DIVER.

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warm. bright sands of the wide beach
form the foreground Of the scene. On
this beach upon summer eve lay
stretched the lazy boatmen and per-
chance here and there q hardy diver,
resting after days toll spent in the fa-
tiguing and dangerous pursuit of the
precious pearl.
But hist! Who is that, who in COM
pany with old Kalef, the boatman,
comes forth from yonder neat and palm
thached hut? It is Marabek, the rich
slave merchant of Suez. Look! how
haughtlly lie treads the ground, as if it
were not fit to bear the weight of his
richly appareled person, or the print of
his jewelled slipper. His turban is of
the finest silk of Teheran; and, as he
lays his hand Familiarity upon the shoul-
der Of old Kalef, the latter cringes be-
meath his touch as If it were that of
some superior being. But there is a
looker-on upon this friendly oompan-
ionship who seems inspired by emotion
somewhat different from either the con.
descending pride Of theimerchant or the
humble Difference of the old boatman.
See! how he leans his elbow upon the
warm sands, and thus reclining at
length, turns his fry and mistrustful
gaze upon the strange merchant and his
aged companion.
"A maletliction," said he, "upon this
gaudy Turk! Why should he he SO
strangely kind to the old man, unless
he wishes to form poor old Kalef into q
cats paw to accomplish some UNDER
hand purpose? A plague upon him
and all his countrymen. No good comes
of the rich making hale fellows we'll met
of those who are far beneath them in
station"
And Hafiz, the boldest diver and the
handsomest youth in all Afmul, rose up
with an impatient gesture and strobe
hastily to the beach, where 'he stood
with folded arms, looking out upon the
anchored boats and tho clear placid
surface of the gulf, which, like vast
mirror of delicate silver, family tinged
with golden flowers, shone beneath the
rays of the western sun. The forehead
of Hafiz was clouded, though why it
were difficult for himself to tell. Was
he not full of strength and health and
courage? Was he not the pride of the
village? Did not the approval of the
aged, the smiles and the praises of the
young and beautiful follow him wherever
he moved? All this was true; yet now
all this failed to inspire him with cheer
fulness. There was sort of evil pre-
sentiment lingering about his heart-an
inward whispering of secret danger,
which, when pressing upon the soul, al
ways brings a mental palsy upon the
spirits of the most fearlessly courageous.
What was this hidden danger, Hafiz
had neither felt nor as yet had even
thought to inquire of himself; and vet
there was an intense consciousness that
infuenceswere at work which were des-
tined to bring his peace of mind into the
greatest peril.
The burning sun had long withdrawn
itself below the cooling wave, when
Hafiz left the silent shore, and moving
through the shadows of the little Ham
let paused beneath huge palm which
stood in graceful grandeur not far from
the threshold Of old Kalef, the boatman.
He waited not long before q light figure,
concealed in garment of many folds
(Which were, nevertheless, insufficient
for disgnise from eyes Of jealous Or af-
fectionate watchfulness) towards the
place where he stood.
"Tamala!"
"Hafiz!" was the soft and low reply,
The young girl, for such her shape
and speech revealed her, looked at her
companion with fearful eyes, as she
gently returned his delighted embrace.
"Hafiz. said she, in return of his in
quiring and alarmed gaze, 1--WE must
part! am about to leave you for
II knew i'll" said Hafiz, reeling as if
struck by some sudden hand, and speak
ing in husky and passionate utterance,
II knew it! That accursed slave mer-
chant"
Has persuaded my poor old father
to give me to him for wife," said Ia
mala sobbing upon the broad breast Of
her lover. "He has given him much
money. and has SO cunningly talked
that all remonstrance is in vain. Alas!
/ must go with him and leave you and
my home forever. Would that might
die before the day Of departure"
Hafiz repressed the burning passions
which had agitated his frame. To the
shock of the storm succeeded deep and
deadly calm. He pressed Tamala to
his bosom, and pushing away the silken
and glossy hair kissed tenderly the
maiden's throbbing brow.
"Grieve moi" he said my dear Ia
maia: Mahomet is good; we can trust
in his blessing. Let us hope for the
best. Thou canst at least put off the
fated betrothal for at least two days,
and perhaps for more. Meanwhile who
knows what Providence may bring? A
malison on the slave merchant? Let
him beware! But, Tamala, smile once
upon me! Dry thy tears and smile
again!s Thus Hafiz in broken phrases
strove to calm the agitation of the mo-
ment and to put far away from the in
terviews of love the distractions of dis
appointment and sorrow. The eyes Of
the fair Tamala frightened again, and
she seemed to forget the weight Of i'm
pending grief as she listened to the
words of endearment which flowed from
the lips Of her lover. Thus the mo.
ments fled by in sweet forgetfulness till
the rising moon warned the lovers that
is was time to separate.
Farewell, sweetl" said Hafiz, as
again he kissed the forehead of Tamala.
Let us leave the slave merchant to
the hand Of fate. We will be happy
while we can; but WOO be him whose
violence shAll tear us asunder!"
The blessing of Nahomst rest upont
your sid the voice Of the slave NOR.
chant. ri III !SfS
HaAs turned, md nast ths slans,s ID
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