Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-06-18
A MOORISH ROMANCE.
Disguised as o Girl He woos and Wins .
Noted Belle.

Noted Belle.
From the Boston Globe.
After the accession Of the present Emperor
of Morocco an officer in command of the forces
Of Tetuan was executed for having plotted
against his sovereign. His wives fed in haste,
but one Of them, the mother of bis son, Achmed,
heard that the emperor was about to send for
the boy to bring him to court
Thinking that her son would also die she dis
guised him in woman's clothes and circulated
the report that Achmed had escaped He was
introduced by his mother to the neighbors as
her niece, and he finally fell in love with the
daughter Of priest He had ceased to COM
plain Of the confinement of the hRrem, although
nearly year had passed away in its monot-
onous seclusion.
He wore his halgue with such q grace and
was SO sprightly and entertaining TO his mother .
friends that more than one lady asked the sup
posed niece in marriage for her son. and was
not little surprised to find her 40 averse to
matrimony. As a man never sees his wife,
face before the marriage, he has to depend
upon the opinion Of his old lady friends, who
are regular marriage brokers in Moslem coun-
tries. These useful persons were not exactly
agreed as 10 the respective superiority Of
Achmed or the priests daughter. Amuna.
Achmed was too tall, certainly, and not quite
30 soft in language Amuna, but then in wit
and gayety he equaled Ayesha, the best beloved
of the prophet. In short, the friends were the
most celebrated bellies of their quarter, and
rivals, as it were, IN spite of themselves. The
old priest caused it to be intrusted to Called
Bey, who had ordered some inquiries to be
made touching the personal attractions Of the
rival beauties. that Amuna would bring dover
worthy Of his notice, while the widows niece
would, according to the more usual custom, de-
mand one.
Called Bey wished to appropriate both, and
carried out his plan by making overtures to the
priest for his daughter, and informing the widow
that he wished, or rather commanded. her niece
to attend his bride to her mansion ~ her future
companion The old lady fatty refused 10 part
with her niece and threatened to appeal to the
basha if the officer persisted in his demand.
Amuna, on her part, entreated and implored
her father not to consign her to q man SO noto-
rious as Called Bey unhappily was for repulsive
looks and domestic hardness. The old priest
was not ridiculousiy indulgent as to refuse
rich son-in-law merely because he had taste
for killing his wives and his daughter detested
him, and the marriage went on.
The mother Of Amuna exchanged presents
with the senior wives Of Called, the day, dover
and jewels were fixed upon and the bride
ceased to lament, that she might examine her
robes with her confidant, the widows niece.
Achned, too, gave up all opposition to Caled's
order, and submitted 30 cheerfully to an adop-
ton in that officers household that his mother
in sheer disappointment left the city the morn
ing Of the nuptials. Attended by her faithful
companion, Achmed, Amuna was conducted in
state TO her husbands mansion, where, loaded
with gems and embroidery, she received the
congratulations of her friends.
Called, according to the Moorish custom,
paraded through the city with Q gallant train
on horseback, and at the lucky moment when
his bride was lifted over the threshold of his
house, amid music, shouts and the ringing Of
firearms, he turned his face homeward to meet
his invited guests at the bridal banquet in the
mems apartments. When the hour approached
at which he was to ZEE for the frst time the
face Of his wife, Called withdrew to the inner
apartments. A servant wished TO interrupt
him TO inquire whether he had ordered q horse
TO remain at the door saddled for instant use
The bridegroom impatiently waved him away
and entered the chamber.
Before him on Wide dfvan Of crimson and
gold, trembling through her gorgeous veil,
knelt his unconscious bride, but nearer and
between them flashed . cleaning blade in the
hands Of the stranger youth II was Achmed,
who presented his sharp steel to the bosom Of
Called Boy and commanded slence Indig-
nant, yet wonder stricken, be obeyed.
"Swsar BY Allah and his prophet, by the
grave Of your mother and your hopes Of para
disc. that you viii neither prevent our escape
nor pursue ~ for the rising and setting Of two
suns and live; refuse and de-" vus the brief
alternative offered BY the aripling.
OF the cumbrous tr.ppins. Of he n.rri.Ss
ceremony and honesty ssiscasg from her
Jewels those only which were gifts Of her father,
passed forth with Achmed, amid the astonished
household, mounted with him, unoppossd, the
Aeet charger at the door and IN an hour had
left the walls At Tstuan and The possibility Of
pursuit far behind
Ten days later . mouptsd Arab presented
himself at the eAts Of Tetuan leading, stsed
caparisoned in Ne rich trappings that lad
grafsd caied's wedding day.
h transfsgred Ne bride 70 . colder q The
oAts, 'sths brave and prosperous Achmsd grsss
calsd Boy aud vish0 honor and incrsass 70 hi
hon. snd nay svesy d.y - Eks ~ a. n