The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1893-04-25
A NARROW ESCAPE.

Il Oue uay SAW IL copy Oh IlaIlz On LH6
table of a friend. Hatiz was a Persian
poet of the fourteenth century, whose
verse, like that of Anacreon's, was dedi-
Gated to love and wine. The book was
in Persian manuscript, was superbly IL
Illuminated and was at least 600 years old.
Fred: did you buy this book ahroady"
] asked.
He locked at the in IA queer way and
then said:
mo, | didn't. | stole it."
stared at him in surprise.
Not Intentionally. qualified he as he
Lit a fresh cigar and showed the box to-
ward me.
III was an adventure" | said as I set
tied down III IN easy chair II am ready
to hear it,"
He watched a wreath Of smoke as it
curled away to the ceiling and then told
me the following story:
Il was haunted by Il pair of superb
black eyes vhi!eLt CUnstantinople. They
rested on me- frequently in the various
marts. and they 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
full, and though her face was covered
with the traditional veil | was sure that
it was as handsome as the eyes.
Il first met her in the drug market. a
place that looked like the archway to a
covered bridge, dim and mysterious apd
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 a package of
henna. with which to dye her fingers,
while ] bought solne incense wood for a
pastil lamp. -
The next place | met her was in the
slave market, and it strnck me that was
a queer place for her to be. She stared
a little sadly at the Nubian damsels
standing around like SD many pieces of
black statuary awaiting the pleasure of
the auctioneer. When her eyes met
mine, it was again with Il prolonged, I'M
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
of n military kind, and only open in the
forenoon. ! was pricing solne jewel hilt-
ed daggers. when who should | see by my
side but the yelled unknown. She picked
up each dagger as | laid 1t down, exam
ined it and spoke to the gray bearded
fatalist in attendance. "a ripple of laugh
ter stirring her thick veil. could not
understand what she said, but ! supposed
the conversation was about me. | was a
good looking fellow and had plenty of
money and a fancy for everything that
was quaint. She took my hand, looked
at it closely and gave it a slight. tender
pressure. | had a friend, an attache to
the American ambassador, and | told
him about the mysterious hour. He just
laughed at me
lyon can't designate them by their
eyes, he said They all look alike.
She wore turquoise rings, | said.
1t is a favorite gem with them re-
piled he.
She took hold of my hand in the ba-
zaar.
That nothing new. She was prompt
ed by curiosity. Their idea of >modesty
includes the yelling of their faces, and
that's about all. 1t may not have been
the same woman every time.
am positive that it was, | reloined
'T1l follow her the next time,
You'll be tisted up oat of the Bos-
porus the next morning. replied my
friend, with q snrr1g. I'll walk down to
the morgue To see if can recognize you.
Il saw a grave look ross his face. but
that did not deter Inc from my purpose.
The next day met her within the reli-
gious gloom of one Of the cemeteries.
Was she following me or was there a
fatality In orr meetings. The cities of
the dead are numerous on the hillsides.
They are not large. are shaded by close
growing cypress, and each one has a
small minaret pointing skyward In the
center. There is a great deal of rural
beauty about them, and they are never
without visitors. for relatives hold their
dead In great reverence.
Again those fascinating eyes met mine
and | felt my heart beat faster. She
placed her finger upon her lips and then
walked down n Of the paths. What
did the act inean but Follow me and be
discreetY ! followed her. trembling some.
what with excitement. Outside stood
an aruba. drawn by horses and attended
by an Abyssinian slave.
He opened the door Of the carriage
and the girl entered She motioned te
me TO join Der. AMIR complied. After {
short drive we stopped az a small villa.
She entered the house, and | followed
her. the Abyssinian slave joining us a few
minutes later. At Il sign from her hs
brought in four small gilded saucers
two of them containing some sort q
NOW white delicacy and two filled with
ounce jelly almost done to a candy.
1.-The room was the inost elegant bon
doir eye ever rested upon, with ricl
rugs, o~ttornans. statues, vases and n.
end of oriental ~conceits, q sweet odo
and q look pervading it all
Leaving me alone for q few minutes
ME