Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1893-04-08

anu ne TOOK every opportunity VI Teasing
me, and was only satisfied when took
refuge at his sisters feet and burst into
tears.
In spite of all this liked Mourad-bey.
He was six years older than |, and was
so strong and handsome that | could not
help forgiving him, and, indeed, | just
worshiped him. When Adile- Hanoum
was fourteen her parents engaged her to
a young Bey who lived az Salonica, and
whom she would not see until the eve of
her marriage. This Turkish custom of
marrying perfect Stranger seemed to
me terrible, and l spoke of it to my
young mistress.
"She replied in a resigned tone:
"Why should we trouble ourselves about
future which Allah has arranged2
Each star is safe IN the armament, no
matter in what place it is"
One evening l was walking up and
down on the closed balcony outside the
haremlik. was feeling very sad and
lonely, when suddenly I heard steps be-
hind me, aud by the beating of my heart
| knew that it was Mourad- hey.
"Feliknaz," he said, Selling me by
the arm, "what are you doing here, all
alone"
81 was thinking of my country, Bey
Effendi. In our Circassia all men are
equal, just like the ears of corn in a
deld."
"Look up at me again like that, Fell
iknaz; your eyes are gloomy and trou-
bled, like the Bosphorus, on a stormy
day.
at is because my heart is like that,
said, sadly.
"Do you know that am going to be
married." he asked after moments ST.
lence.
did not reply but kept my eyes fixed
on the ground.
"You are thinking how unhappy l
shall make my wife," he continued;
how she will suffer from my bad treat
ment."
"Oh! no." | exclaimed. ~ do not
think she will be unhappy. You will, of
course, love her, and that is different.
You are uukind to me, but then that is
not the same"
"You think do not love you," said
the Bey, taking my hands an pressing
them so that it seemed as though he
would crush them in his grasp. "You
are mistaken, Fehknaz. l love you
madly, passionately; l love you so much
that l would rather see you dead here at
my feet than that you should ever be-
long to another than to me"
"Why have you been so uukind to me
always, then2' l murmured, half clos.
ing my eyes, for he was gazing at me
with such an intense admiration on his
dark handsome face that felt [ dare
not look up at him again.
"Because when | have seen you suffer
ing throu IN me it mas hurt me too; and
yet it has been JOY to me to know you
were thinking of me aud to suffer with
you; for Whenever have made you un-
happy, little one, have been still more
so myself. Your smiles and your gentle.
ness have tanned me though, at last; and
now you shall be niue, not as Feliknaz
the slave, but al Fellknaz Hanoum, for
respect you, my darling, as much as l
love yeu"
Mourad-bey then took me in his arms
and kissed my face, and then he went
back to his rooms, leaving me there lean.
ing on the balcony and trembling all
over.
Allah had surely cared for me, for l
had never even dared to dream of such
happiness as this.
Aud so became Moural.bey's wife.
My dear Adele was nv sister, and though
after years of habit | was always throw.
ing myself down at her feet, she would
make me get up AMI sit at her side,
either on the divan or in the carriage.
Mourad's love for me had put aside the
barrier which had separated us. There
was, however, now terrible one be-
tween my slaves aud myself. They had
all of them undoubtedly hoped to find
favor in the eyes of their young master,
and now that was raised to sucA high
position their hatred was terrible. l did
my utmost. | obtained all kinds of
tavors for them; but all to no purpose,
for they were unjust and unreasonable,
Mcurad loved me, think, more aud
more, aud when little sou was born to
us it seemed as though my cup of hap
piness was full. had only one trouble,
the knowledge of the hatred of my
slaves; and after the birth of my little
boy, that increased, for in the East the
only bond which makes a marriage in
dissolubie is the birth of child.
When our little son was a few months
old Mourad went to spend wee6 with
his father, who was then living i II Bel
cose. l did not mind staying alone for
few days, as all my time was taken
up with my baby boy.
One night, when II o'clock struck,
everything was silent in the harem;
evidently everyone was asleep.
Suddenly the door of my room was
pushed open, and saw the face of one
of ny slaves. She was very pale, and
said in defiant tone; "Furel fire! The
conak (house) is on tire' She laughed
"a terrible wild lau n it was, too, aud
she locked my door and rushed away.
Fire! Why, that meant ruin and death.
had jumped up Immediately. and
COW rushed to the window. There was
a red glow in the sky over our house,
| heard the cracking of wood and saw
terrible smoke. Nearly wild with fright
l took my child in my arms, snatcled
up my case of jewels, au1 wrapping my
self in long white simare, hurried to
the 6oor. Alasl it was too true; the
girl had indeed locked It'll The win.
dow, with latticework outside, looked
on a paved courtyard, and my room was
on the second floor of the house. heard
the cry of "Yaagheer varl' fire, fire.
being repeated like an ecao to my
misery.
"oh, Allah2' cried "mv child, my
child" A shiver rau through me at
the horrible idea of being burned alive
and not being able to save him.
l did my utmost to keep calm, and l
walked again to the door aud shook 1t
with all my strength. Then went aud
looked out of the wiadow, but that only
offered It's a speedy and certain death.
Suddenly an idea came to me. There
was little closet leading out of my
room, in which we kept extra covers and
mattresses for the beds. There was a