Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1884-05-08


Door man whose necessities were known to
all Babylon, though he was virtuous and of
good character, solemnly gazed at the little
crooked figure of Gissa, who had come to be
sold of her own accord, and who, doubtless,
would bring the greatest sum with her.
The green and white robe, belted with
embossed silver about the taper waist of
Althea the white hands, the gorgeous arm
lets, the long earrings of rich gold, distin-
guished Althea from her companions,
though she was closely veiled.
Those who were buyers were permitted
to speak to the maidens. Arbaces approach
ed Althea first.
eff all my fortune must be paid for thee l
will win thee, beautiful Althea," he whis-
pered.
She answered by bitter laugh. Then,
trembling and pale, Balinea came forward.
"Althea, best beloved" he whispered, ~
have sold all I have, but the sum is mere
trihe. shall lose thee, for thou art fairer
than all the women of Babylon. Arbaces
will have thee. Farewell. When thou art
his I will kill myself" but Althea caught
him in the wrist.
"Listen Balinea," she said. "When the
time comes Arbaces will have none of me.
It is possible. Remain, but swear that
you will keep silence until place my hand
thus upon the other Then, if still thou
wouldst have me, cry out: "Give me AL
thea" If not will 60 my way, and will
live maiden in my father'shome forever"
"What dost thou mean, Althea ?" cried
Balinea but she made no answer.
And now the crowd was hidden to ST.
lence, and driven back to a certain dis
tance- e-and crier spoke thus:
'The rulers Of Babylon, believing that
the women should be wed, for that they are
feeble, helpless creatures, unfit to labor for
that they need protectors and directors, have
instituted this auction of maidens, that no
woman in Babylon need lack husband.
For the beautiful must a great price be paid,
but with the ill-favored we give the sum
paid for the others, that each man may have
some advantage. To-day our highest price
is asked for Althea, daughter of our good
citizen Beleses and his wife Nasara. AL
thea, unveil thyself."
Althea, at this bidding, arose and ad-
vanced. She lifted her white hand and tore
the veil from her head. A shrek arose as
she did so, and the lockers on stood petrifed.
Instead of the beautiful face they had ex-
pected to see, they saw torn and bleeding
countenance and head destitute of every
hair. Two great braids, which she cast on
the stones at her feet, alone remained of her
plenteous tresses.
"People of Babylon" she cried, "this
have I done that I may not wed a man |
hate! How now, Arbaces? Wilt thou bid
for me 2"
A roar arose from the crowd, and Arbaces
fell forward in sWOon, and was borne
away by his friends. Balinea started for
ward, but was checked by the soldiers.
Again the crier spake:
"She who was the loveliest has now be-
come the most hideous. Veil thyself, AL
thea"
Then another name was called. The sale
proceeded. Vast sums were paid for two
beauties; moderate prices for others. Even
Gissa, with her pointed face and pretty hair
and eyes, was not too ugly in the eyes of the
man who received fortune at her hands.
Only Althea remained unsought-too hide
Gus for any to desire. And now she lifted
her head, and at the signal Balinea strobe
forward.
"Give me Althea," he said-"Althea who
has done this for me-Althea, forever beau
tiful to my heart. Give her to me, and
keep your base gold-I'll none of it."
II claim my portion" she said. "Suchis
the law of the Babylonish sale of maidens."
And she gathered the gold into her veil as
her lover led her away.
ana, SO SayeCn lrdulClOl, Cile SouS SHllleu
upon the lovers and all Althea's beauty
returned-the lovely hair grew long again,
the wounds healed without scar, and the
constant Belinea had lovely wife as well
as a fortune. And though old Beleses
might veX himself, he could alter nothing,
for the woman who was sold at the yearly
auction of maidens could not be taken from
her husband. And they lived and loved
for many happy years in the old city of
Babylon.