The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-02-15
ZOE.
A Romance OF Egypt.

HOW long had Deen lying IN agony on
Che hard earth knew not-minutes and
hours were alike TO me since that cruel
shot had struck me down. l had seen in
mist of pain the shadows of the men OF
our regiment rush past in a rapid charge
within yard OF my PROSTATE form, maxi
ing my escape from being crushed 10
death almost miraculous.
could keep no account of time, when
each minute seemed to me an hour of in
tense suffering. The burning sun, as 1t
rose high in the heavens, set my whole
being on fire, and the thirst that followed
made me wish that my comrades had been
less careful TO avoid my outstretched
form, for death, swift and sudden, from
the hoofs of the horses, would have been
preferable TO that hideous pain and mad
craving for water.
had given up all hope of succor when
light suddenly flashed before my eyes,
and voice sounded in my ears, saying,
"Lend me a hand, Tom, the captains
alive-gentlyI" and they lifted me on an
ambulance stretcher, causing me intense
agony-agony that made me, strong man
that was, shriek aloud.
They carried me across the battlefield;
groans and cries resounded on every side
as we passed by the wounded, writhing in
their pain, while the dead lay still and
white, with their faces CHASTITY in the
moonlight. My heart sank within me
till lost all further feeling in a merciful
Inconsistencies.
L opened my eyes to find myself in
luxurious bed, with silk curtains round
me, downy pillows under my head, and
strange, sweet odors filling the apart
ment, which was but half visible by the
dim light given by several hanging lamps.
believed myself in dream, and turned
round again, too weary to srouse myself,
when the curtains over She door moved,
and woman in Eastern dress entered
and came up to me. She laid her slender
hand on my forehead, and then her great
black eyes met mine, and / said family,
"Who are your"
"Your nurse" she answered gently, in
broken English.
"And you are realf'-for 1 still fancied
myself in dream.
"Very real" and she laughed, disclos-
ing a row of pearly teeth, "as you will
learn by and by"
"And how did come here2"
"Lie quite still and / will tell you. You
must be Kept very quiet and must not
worry about anything. My father is an
Englishman and married an Egyptian
my mother. He was sorry for this war,
and gave me leave TO put aside this room
for some wounded man. l was driv-
ing with my father early one morning
and we saw some men bringing in
wounded csiicer. PASSED you quite
close, and when saw you / reminded my
rather of his promise, SO he told the men
TO bring you here. And now you will
soon get better"
eyes, hope so," murmured.
l was too i'll TO attempt TO display in
terest in anything. used to dream away
the whole day. My past life seemed as il
it belonged TO some one else. My home,
my friends, my regiment, the war itself-
all were present in my brain, but in q con-
fused, uniformed sort OF way, like the
ever-moving colors of kaleidoscope.
1t was impossible TO me to make an ef-
fort to realize anything. All i cared for
was to see that heavy curtain over my
door withdrawn and to watch that glid-
ing, graceful figure enter-to see the rich
color mount to her cheeks as her velvety
eyes met mine, to feel her cool hands
brush my hair as she rearranged tho
luxurious pillows on my couch, or TO hear
her musical voice pressing me TO take
some iced drink, sparkling in an Eastern
goblet.
Sometimes OF an evening, when the
shutters would be open and cool breezes
waited through the room, my beautiful
nurse would take her little musical in
strument on her knee, and, sitting at my
side, would sing me wild Oriental song
in her rich, full voice, while the sun sank
below the easement and deep shadows fell
across the floor. Then her great, dark
4 g.Il
the hush OF evening / could almost hear
my own heart beat with returning life and
vigor.
Then often would close my eyes, and,
turning on my side, fall into deep sleep,
unbroken as child's.
So the days went by slowly and pleas
antly enough. My nurse scarcely ever
left me, devoting all her time to amusing
me and nursing me back to health, as
sisted only by an old native.
At length / began to feel strong and
well; my wounds, so skillfully treated,
were healing fast and l longed TO rejoin
my regiment and be again among my
brother officers.
One day, when ] was dressed, and feel
ing quite myself, broached the subject
OF leaving to my lovely companion.
"Zoe" said.
She drew near me, and her eyes bright
ened as she laid her white hand on my
head. IL was very pleasant 10 feel 1t there,
and TO see her great eyes droop and melt
beneath my gaze.
81 am very happy here, little one; but
everything must have an end, and must
return TO my regiment"
"It is useless" she cried, clapping her
hands with Joy. "The war Is over, your
soldiers are getting ready 10 embark, and
tomorrow they all return to their own
country
81 must be of at oncel" cried, start
ing TO my feet.
"stsy here Stay here, my boloved-bo
my husbandp