The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-05-13


and dreamed that | was presented with a
large cat called Ismatulla, which scratched
my face l woke up the next morning at
ii o'clock thoroughly disenchanted, as l
thought.
In the evening was enjoying the fresh
air on my terrace when irightfui old bag
entered hastily by the back entrance of
the house, saying she wanted TO speak to
me. Even before the servants had OBJ
tanned my permission TO receive her she
found her way to my presence. and as soon
as we were alone, Are you braver she
said in very bad English, which l could
hardly understand.
81 smiled with that conceit peculiar to
a man when asked a like question.
"She continued: Il have bargain to
offer YOU. 1t is dark. no one will see us.
You have only 10 follow me. Half way,
where we are going, | will tie this band
| age over your ewes, but YOU must swear to
me not to try and find out where l take
you.
az promiser
''The bag made a grimace which caused
her cOuntenance to look still more hid
! eous
Il had accepted all at once, like that,
without reconciliation, urged as it were
By a sudden uncomfortable impulse. The
TACT was a whole day had passed since my
fright, and the effect of my nightmare had
! also gone off by degrees, but ! yet heard
the ceaseless voice singing. 'Nissa Nissal'
in my ears. The old woman evidently
came from her. However, | went up.
stairs quickly to my room and took
small revolver with me in case of acct
dents, and five minutes later we had
started. 1t was ridiculous, reckless mad
ness. / knew that well enough, but there
are some absurd anomalies about which
one never reasons. The unknown one,
Nissa exerted over me | know not what
mysterious influence. L had not even
seen her, and vet an irresistible longing
for her possessed me. Her cleaning eyes
had burned into my heart.
AT length, arriving at the bridge of
Julia, the old woman stopped, and taking
from her pocket thick scarf, skifuliy
bandaged my eyes SO that | could no
longer see anything about me, and then,
holding her hand. | permitted her to con-
duct me where she would. BY the fresher
air | guessed that we were crossing the
river; | then heard the voices of the pass
ers-by right and left of me. 1t never oc-
Cured to me that | might be noticed l
went along as one in a waking dream,
thinking only of the supple form of the
mysterious Nissa, with the agile, cat-like
movements of her delicate hand and her
flashing, passionate eyes. In few min
ujes the old woman turned TO the right,
but we did not leave the banks of the
Zaindarud. | could hear the hurried and
tumultuous flowing OF its waves, broken
for an instant by the piers of the bridge.
AT last my Conductress stopped, a key was
turned, and the old bag said to me in a
low voice, Go up
Five steps only and then felt my feet
pressing soft, thick carpet, and at the
same time the bandage was torn from my
eyes. ! found myself in a small room,
feebly lit by the light of copper lamp.
1t is the custom in Persia to keep the
walls bare. Here it was different Per-
fumes were burning in a rich fumigator
on a table OF red and blue inlaid work;
| those exciting perfumes of the East which
intoXicate like the fumes OF rare old wines.
| On the walls, which were draped with yell
low cashmere hangings, instruments of
music were suspended-the nefir. which
! resembles our hautbols, timbrels. two
kematches, or viols, and arms interpreted
here and there among necklaces and other
| gewgaws. Outside could be heard the
| dull, regular roar of the river. By lifting
a corner of a curtain | could even see that
| the waters of the stream washed against
the very walls of the house.
almost instantly heard a slight rust
ling on the carpet. | turned around and
saw Nissa! | remained absolutely stupe-
fed, dazzled. She might have been sew
enteen or eighteen. Her luxuriant wealth
| of black hair reminded me of Regnaults
'Salome,' falling over her most bewitching
! l. Il e
a pale amber, shone with changing rehec-
tons like motherof-pearl. But what most
struck me was the effective contrast be-
| tween dazzling white teeth and her flash
| ing black ewes. Her eyelashes, eyebrows,
and lips were painted. She smiled as she
regarded me with sparkling but calm eyes.
| / could not help recalling TO mind the sar-
| tips warning, and, thought / to myself,
| this Young lady certainly does not seem
very timid. Meantime she took my hand,
/ and making me sit down upon the sofa.
NV husband has left for Tihran, she said,
'and we have time to divert ourselves
"She spoke in English with a certain
foreign accent; then striking small gong
with quaint copper drumstick coffee was
brought in, and she then began talking in
a rapid strain. running her words one into
the other with vivacity, telling me how
! in Isfahan, and that she had noticed me
at once. At the same time her eyes be-
| came more tender and her hand gently
pressed mine. She drew nearer to me,
and suddenly threw herself into my arms.
81 was rather taken aback. when of a
| sudden noise was apparent in the next
room. As quick as thought she jumped
up, erect and trembling with passion. Her
caresses and her sudden alarm succeeded
Que another SO rapidly that / had not time
to collect my thoughts. Still, with the
same agile and feline grace she ran to the
wall, from which, without moments hes
itaton. she took small, sharp knife.
which she hid in her sleeve. Then turn
| ing her head toward me she said: Waltz
and with an energetic gesture she disap-
peared behind the folds of the heavy Ia
| pestry.
"a vagueieeling of mistrust came over
me l remembered the warning of the
sartip. Perhaps had been little impru-