Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-03-20
A NARROW ESCAPE.

table of friend Hafiz was Persian
poet Of the fourteenth century, whose
verse, like that of Anacreons. was dedi-
Gated to love and wine. The book was
in Persian manuscript, was superbly il
Illuminated and was at least 200 years old.
Fred, did you buy this book abroadT
asked
He looked at me in queer way and
then said
No, didn't I stole it,
stared at him in surprise.
Not Intentionally" qualified he as he
lit fresh cigar and showed the box to-
ward me-
1T was an adventure said as set
tied down in an easy chair II am ready
TO hear il"
He watched wreath of smoke as it
curled away TO the ceiling and then told
me the following story;
II was haunted by q pair of superb
black eyes while at Constantinople. They
rested on Inc 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
ful, and though her face was covered
with the traditional veil was sure that
1t was as handsome as the eyes.
II first met her in the drug market, a
place that looked like the archway 10 a
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
pastil lamp.
The next place l met her was in the
slave market, and it struck me that was
a queer place for her to be. She stared
little sadly at the Nubian damsels
standing around like 30 many pieces of
black statuary awaiting the pleasure Of
the auctioneer. When her eyes met
mine, it was again with prolonged, un-
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 military kind, and only open in TIE
forenoon. | was pricing some jewel hilt-
ed daggers, when who should | see by my
side but the yelled unknown. She picked
up each dagger as laid it 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 friend, an attache to
the American ambassador, and | told
him about the mysterious houri. He just
laughed at me.
"'You can't designate them by their
eyes, he said. They all look alike
"'She wore turquoise rings, | said.
"'It is favorite gem with them,' re-
piled he.
"'She took hold of my hand in the ba-
zaar'
"'That's 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
81 am positive that it was, rejoined
I'll follow her the next time.
you'll be fshed up out Of the Bos-
porus the next morning replied my
friend, with o shrug. I'll walk down to
the morgue to see if can recognize you.
II saw grave look cross his face, but
that did not deter me 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
fatality in our meeting2 The cities Of
the dead are numerous on the hillsides.
They are not large, are shaded by close
growing cypress, and each one has
small minaret pointing skyward in the
center. There Is 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 one Of the paths. What
did the act mean but Follow me and be
discreetY followed her, trembling some
what with excitement. Outside stood
Ian aruba, drawn by horses and attended
by an Abyssihian slave.
HE opened the door Of the carriage,
and the girl entered. She motioned to
me to join her, and complied. After a
short drive we stopped at a small villa.
She entered the house, and followed
her, the Abyssinian slave joining US few
minutes later At q sign from her he
brought in four small gilded saucers,
two Of them containing some sort OF
snow white delicacy and two filed with
Iquince jelly almost done to candy.
THE room was the most elegant bou-
doir eye ever rested upon, with rich
rugs, ottomans, statues, vases and no
end Of oriental conceits, sweet odor
and sensuous look pervading 1t all.
Leaving me alone for a few minutes,
she returned and handed me very rare
and richly Illuminated Hafz. saw at
once It's value to bookworm.
"'Pekker / said, which Is the Persian
word for admiration. What do you
wantY
''6he looked at the Abyssinian and said
nomethinp In Persian