The Press., 1893-08-03
A NARROW ESCAPE.

lone day saw a copy of Eafiz on the table of a friend. Hafz was 8 Persian poet of the fourteenth century, whose verse. like that of Anacrecn's, was dedi- cated to love and wine. The book was in Persian manuscript, was superbly il- l lu1ninated and was at least 200 years old.
 s'Fred, did you buy this book abroad?' Iasked.
 He looked at mo in queer way and then said:
 ''No. I didn't. l stole it.
 ' stared at him in surprise.
 Mot intentionally, qualified he as he lit fresh cigar and showed the box to- ward me. .. , ..It wassan adventure" said as set tied down in an easy chair. ''I am ready to hear it." -.sz---.- -... He watched wreath of smoke as it curled away to the ceiling and then told me the following story: t..
 II was haunted by a pair of superb I black eyes while at Constantinople. They rested on m frequently in the various marts, and t..ey seemed significant with meaning despite their steady gaze. Of course they belonged to a young woman. Her figure was not too obese to be grace 1 full, and though her face was covered l with the traditional veil I was sure that | it was as handsome as the eyes.
 "I first met her in the drug market, a place that looked like the archway to covered bridge, dim and mysterious and odorous with spices, the venerable look ing Turk scarcely visible through the smoke that curled from the bowl of his pipe, his eyes dreamy from the use of opium, and his trembling fingers count ing his spicewood beads. My unknown dark eyed beauty bought package of henna. with which to dye her fingers, while bought some incense wood for Q pastl lamp.
 sThe next place met her was in the slave market, and it struck me that was queer place for her to, be. She stared a little sadly at the Nubian damsels standing around like so many pieces of black statuary awaiting the pleasure of ~l the auctioneer. When her eyes met mine, it was again with 8 prolonged, un- 2 winking gaze, and thought saw signs
 of emotion.
 "The third time met her was in the bezestein, that most oriental of bazaars, devoted to the sale of bric-a-brac, largely a of military kind, and only open in the
 forenoon. I was pricing some jewel hilt' , ed daggers, when who should see by my
 side but the yelled unknown. She picked v up each dagger as laid it down, exam Q ined it and spoke to the gray bearded . fatalist in attendance, ripple of laugh.
 ter stirring her thick veil. I could moi T understand what she said, but supposed
 the conversation was about me. I was g good looking fellow and had plenty oi 9 money and fancy for everything thai T was quaint. She took my hand, looked
 at it closely and gave it slight, tender ,- pressure. I had friend, an attache tt 70 the American ambassador, and tolt 70 him about the mysterious houri. He jus
 laughed at me. -...........
 "sYou can't designate them by thei
 eyes, he said. They all look alike 70 "sShe wore turquoise rings,' said.
 ".It is 8 favorite gem with them, re l piled he. -..--
 ls "sshe took hold of my hand in the ba v- zaar.' ...... ,s "sThat' nothing new. She was prompt a ed by curiosity. Their idea of modest if includes the yelling of their faces, an E. that's about all. It may not have bee d the same woman every time.'
 nj .-" I am positive that it was, rejoined
 v. Il follow her the next time
 to "sYou'll be fished up out of the Bos $. porus the next morning., replied m
 friend, with a shrug. I'll walk down nr the morgue to see if can recognize you
 q saw a grave look cross his face, br d. that did not deter me from my purpos yn The next day met her within the rel ,u gious gloom of one of the cemeterle ag 1 Was she following me, or was there . fatality in our meeting? The cities (
 the dead are numerous on the hillside
 They are not large, are shaded by clo' - growing cypress, and each one has lit small minaret pointing skyward ill u he center. There is g. great deal of rur
 beauty about them, and they are new
 without visitors, for relatives hold the dead in great reverence.
 si- "Again those fascinating eyes met mil B." and I felt my heart beat faster. Sl placed her finger upon her lips and the
 walked down one of the paths. Wh
 did the act mean but Follow me and nm discreetY If ,llowed her, trembling som r2, what with excitement. Outside stot
 an aruba, drawn by horses and attend' he by an Abyssinian slave. ats .'He opened the door of the carriag
 and the girl entered. She motioned = me to join her, and complied. After
 short drive we stopped at small will
 She entered the house, and l follow oe. her, the Abyssinian slave joining us fe le, minutes later. At a sign from her
 brought in four small gilded saucer ,~.s two of them containing some sort
 SHOW white delicacy and two filled wi ; auince jelly almost done to candy. m. ssThe room was the most elegant bo ou doir eye ever rested upon, with ri rugs, ottoIn.,ns, statues, vases and o end of orien al conceits, 8 sweet cd no and 8 sensl ous look pervading it a
 Leaving me alone for few minute ala she returned and handed me very r
 and richly illuminated uafz. saw
 once it's value to bookworln. 'zk- "sPekker said, which is the Pers ,1d word for admiration. What do ) :, wantY - ssShe looked at the Abyssinian and s anI something in Persian.
 Sell he said. looking at ] ,ra sFrankY
 .'That is the name applied in the eas liS- the people from western Europe. ayS "tAmerican, said.
 nat sI found he was familiar with Engl
 and we kept up running conversati She was on the alert and was watch N me when she was not watching the Al S sinian. We spoke to each other thro7 Y the interpreter. She wanted money the book and evidently had some ide' @M. its value.
 zM Tell her that if she unveils I'll b K I boldly said. He hesitated, then told a what I had said. l saw her trembie