The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-09-06


servants off for the day and have lunch
served by her maid. Zuleika was in the
seventh heaven. Her discomfort gave
place to wild gaiety and Nine Eckantoff
was charmed with her, while her niece
thought she had never seen any one half so
beautiful. and, as an artist, Ionged to
transmit to canvas ZuIeika's lovely fea-
lures.
The two young girls became sworn
friends, and the Polish girl forgot that
Auieika was Turkish girl, governed by
such different laws and usages from her.
SELL IL was happy day for Zueika, and
mneh the carriage came to take her home
she could not realize that many hours had
elapsed since she had left the fiarem.
Next day Zuleika could talk of nothing
else TO her governess but of the delights
and beauties of Nine. Eckantoffss house
ana Oh vera, her niece. What took her
fancy the most was the air of freedom
which reigned in that house Vera told
ner OF her balls and fiirtations, as she
thought TO amuse her; but Zuleika took it
al very seriously. About a fortnight
later Nine. Eckantof organized fete,
and II was to be in honor of some foreign
grand duke. She asked Zuleika 10 1t. and
sad she could remain in a room, where
nobody could see her, while she could en-
JOY the whole performance by peeping
through lattice-worked screen, as theatre
Gals were to precede the BAIL So after
mucn coaxing and persuasion, Zuleika was
allowed to attend the fete.
From Zuleika's earliest childhood she
dressed far beyond her years; but now that
she iancied herselfa young lady she ordered
the most expensive and dainty garments.
her French governess imbued her with
ner own taste; so on this occasion Zulei-
IA Wore dress OF Valenciennes, over pale
blue silk, with bodice of blue silk trimmed
with dainty trimming of the same lace
In her lovely hair she wore a simple band
OF turquoise. worth princes ransom-on
her neck tiny gold chain with a crescent
IN turquoise and diamonds NV reader
VIII imagine that the little mink expected
TO be seen; or she would not have dressed
so line. Well. this is mistake Ladies
OF the harem, who attend the opera be-
hind screens dress as We do going to ball.
GU can see the diamonds dash through
the transparent net work which covers
the front of the royal boxes in Cairo, and
often have gone to the boxes of those
princesses to pay them a visit in the entire
acts and found them dressed in full ball
oress; although no man was allowed to
look at them. 1t is very curious sight
at the opera-house at Cairo constructed
by lsmail Pacha, to see several of the royal
boxes nearest the stage shrouded from
public inspection by what seems embroid-
cred mosquito curtains, shutting out all
view from the outside, but allowing the
fair occupants of the boxes to see what is
going on in the house and on the stage.
Through this screening veil, tantalizing
gllmpses are given occasionally of moving
forms, flashing eyes and glittering gems
to the watchful outlook of the European
occupants OF the pit and boxes-a favored
few OF whom-only ladies, of course-are
permitted by the guardian eunuchs to
penetrate their improyised public harems
great source of consolation which
Eastern women have is that they re-
gard their position as far superior to
that of Europeans; therefore their dig
nifty seems to uphold them. But Zu-
leika had now seen and understood
the relative positions of Europeans
aud Easterns-so that she placed very
low estimate on her own privileges. 1t is
mistake to suppose that the great ma
jority of Eastern women consider them
selves in any respect inferior to their
Western sisteV-even although conscious
of their own ignorance and jealous of the
superior culture and elegance of 1.-THE in
tdels"
The watchfulness Of their every act and
movement, and the isolation to which
they are condemned, they consider COM
plimentary. and compassionate the frank
woman whose husband cares SO little for
her as TO permit strange men to look on
her face and figure and associate with
her.
Apart from the pride of race and faith,
ignorant seml-savages, the pride of posi-
ton is very great, and equally great their
scorn of women who perform what thew
regard as mental offices and accomplish
ments.
The Eastern woman of good position
neither sews nor spins, performs no do
nestle duties, and sings and dances only
by proxy, in the person of her slaves.
Her sole duty is TO support her own Dig
nifty and make herself more pleasing and
seductive to her lord and master than any
other of his plural wives.
As Zuleika Srove home the night OF the
fete with her gverness there was scarcely
a word exchanged between them, and her
old governess, who had been with her
since she was five years old, could not un-
derstand what had happened to cause her
young pupil this change OF manner, for
generally she had 10 suppress Zuleika's
wild enthusiasm.
On this occasion she remained perfectly
quiet, as If in deep thought. Next day the
governess was surprised and pleased by
her pupils asking If they had not better
renew their French studies. Zuleika pro-
posed exercises which hitherto had ALWAYS
been distasteful to her. so the old gov
erness, who loved the impulsive girl as if
she were her own child, Immediately set
to work and found short stories to write,
so as to make the lessons more agreeable
to the spoiled child. All went we'll for a
few lessons, when one day Zueika in
sisted on writing letter to an imaginary
friend, so as to teach herself the epistolary
style. The old governess never suspected
any drrire pefsie behind ali this,
but used to dictate letter after
letter-some in the most affection
ate terms, such as one young girl
would write 10 another, or TO a male
cousin. This went on for weeks, when
one day Zuleika penned note
in q most iowerv style as we'll as in most
affectionate terms, which she locked IN
her desk. On that afternoon slave came
ter, told her that the young princess had
ordered ne 10 take il to its address, which
the slave was afraid 10 do.
When madame saw the letter addressed
the Count de Lara the whole truth dashed
upon her, and she saw the trick that
Zuieika was playing. A stormy interview
took place between mistress and pupil,
ending with the resignation of the good
and conscientious woman. who refused alb
soiuteiy TO he party TO any such intrigue.
After the departure of the honest French
woman Zuleika CoaXed her mother into
employing one of those unprinclped for
eign women who Will do anything for
money, and who swarm in Cairo like dies.
From this time Zuleika was able. thanks
10 her mother unsuspicious character, TO
do Just as she liked.
On one occasion she had the audacity TO
stop her carriage in front of the counts
house and send in her eunuch-much to
the mans disgust-wIth letter. She
would make her carriage follow his horse
when he rode TO ShoUbra; and even would
bow 10 and carry on conversation in