Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1893-07-23
SERPENT OF OLD nile.
BY JAMES GRAHAM.

I EuAt - tuAbcA-gCSi loukus ny lOlu
master, have the weak vanity OF my
sex. Ii has always been Joy TO me
that by my address asa public perform
er found the way to your heart. II is
/ true, bellevs me. And il gives me sor-
row, my soul, that you should think an
others power superior to mine"
"You are a child still"
Il am a child still, "a abuyaw she
echoed gayly.
Therefore, o, my father, indulge my
within 10 this. Order an entertainment
l IN which she and may act together,
\ performing as dancers aud snake charm
] erS; then decide whether have lost all
my skill. / desire no victory over the
/ beautiful Miriam. l only wish you 10
/ do justice 10 me-"
/ He thought to put away her fantastic
\ idea by telling her that If her claims TO
/ recognition were TO be OF value the sug-
/ gested rivalry must take place before
numbers Of spectators, and that he could
not compromise her position as his wife
/ by letting herappear unveiled in public.
the entertainment could take place
/ 10 the palace precincts and should wear
a mask, " she replied.
/ He struggled on with more argu-
ments, but she merrily parried them all.
] Then, finding her smilingly immovable,
! he said, half laughingly, half angrlly:
! ''DO as you will"
She bowed her head. Then, as he
turned away, she looked up, and her
\ face was luminous with the radiance OF
q demoDisc triumph.
Osman the Yuzbashi soon knew Of
Amru's project 10 wed Miriam. And
though the knowledge filed him with
anxiety and gloom, he scorned TO yield
/ 20 despair. He had seen Miriam many
times in private. He knew her worth.
\ He knew her feelings toward himself;
and for her sake he was prepared to
/ battle against heavy odds.
Osman was the handsomest officer in
the Egyptian Army. lie was intelli-
gent, rarely accomplished, aud few men
! Of his years equaled him for GOODNESS
and fertility Of resource in times OF
trial.
He was one day walking near the pal
ace OF Amru when a note was thrust in
to his hand and a hurried whisper went
BY: "Ta'sl mail"
Osman opened the note, which con-
tained q few lines In Arabic, with en-
pnatic mention OF one name. He
glanced forward In search Of the man
who had babe him follow, and recogniz-
| ed one Of the servants OF Amru; and TO
Amru's palace Osman proceeded. With
\ In the threshold he encountered Murad,
who conducted him In silence to room
adjoining the harem and left him. In q
moment a curtain was withdrawn from
/ the end Of the room and Rakiyah stood
unveiled, yOung-looking, beautiful, be-
fore him.
you have come" she said in tones
thrilling with an almost painful exulta-
tion.
~ am hare at your service, Madame,
Why have you sent for me?"
"You know the fate in store for
pretty Mrlam?"
81 have heard"
For the woman beloved by youP"
Something have heard"
And who is willing to forget you, to
betray you, to abandon you lightlyP"
eve had better not discuss this"
"Ahl she cried, "if you cared to
take revenge, fair way might be
pointed out TO you"
This is an Improbable theme, Mad
ame. Again, why have you sent for
me?"
"Why have I sent for your" she re-
peated slowly. They remained silent,
! looking at each Other-he calm, gentle,
suave in bearing; she with eyes ablaze,
with bosom heaving, with frame QuIv-
ering from head to foot. And Osman,
though no coxcOmb, guessed instantly
the kiRd of revenge that she proposed
to him.
She threw up her arms, and for five
whole minutes did she pour forth q tor
rent Of EXPLANATIONS, avowals, pray
ers expressive of the most frantic
love. And over the stormy stream
OF her language CLEANED and shifted
and rang the lights, the co!Ors, the
Iharmonies Of an unearthly eloquence.
Osman's first impulse Of amaZement
and perplexity had been repressed be-
fore the woman had uttered twenty
words, and when her outburSt was end
ed, he had little difficulty in assuming
a kindly, soothing tone which, while
dispelhng uneasiness on her part, tend
ed 70 bring her back TO comparative
reason. Yet, though he felt that it
would be- utter madness to give the
slightest evidence OF scorn within him
he resolved TO cut short the interview
without delay.
1T will not be we'll for me to remain
here long" he said.
There can be no danger for you,
she answered, an ominous fire gathering
In her eyes. Though he surprised US
In this moment, there would be deadly
woe to him il he attempted injury to
YOU"
"Stlu, must leave you"
,sYou are invited to the entertainment
here tomorrow night?"
YES"
,If YOU cared to move but slightly In
your own behalf, you and might not
need to leave each other more. Tune
YOUR fancies to the most despotic pitch,
and there is nothing you can deem be-
yopd my will to perform. Bid me do
murder for your sake, aud 1t shall be
done"
1--WE shall not go to such an extremi-
ty."
| Good. / am ooedient 10 ali your
moods. And you will come, pa '0tai!
tomorrow night?"
Yes"
"Apd when you come It will be for
the purpose Of our never again being
seDarated. l shall have all prepared.
within thirty-si1 hours we shall depart
together. All my jewels ] shall take with
me. They would more than serve as
the ransom OF Sultan. We shall go
to climes where We never shall be
traced. With my riches 1 shall make
- 1tfa .rch that Won would not nsed