The record-union., 1894-01-27
" THE RED LOTUS"
written for the REcoRD-UNIoN by Alice
Richardson


each curling wave with a deep, golden
tinge.
Absolute calm prevails. awful in its
desolate, magnetic splendor. The human
eye would seek in vain to find an object
to rest upon; naught is there to mar the
peaceful grandeur; yet stay, dimly out
lined against the shaping horizon a faint,
dark speck appears.
The sun is setting; night opens her
soft, dark pinions, tenderly spreading
them over the shivering waters. The sun
has set.
The speck draws nearer, nearer; swiftly
the two gulls fly TO meet it. Their keen
eyes easily discern and scan the stately
vessel built, without doubt. more for
pleasure than strength.
Quietly they descend and settle upon
the slightly raised skylight. And glanc-
ing through, this is what they see and
hear:
A salon hurg with richest tapestries,
wherein all is light, warmth and music.
Upon the tassellated floor are spread
numerous soft rugs, and costly mats from
Cairo are strewn prOtusely about. The
burning incense arising IS sweeter than
the Elacaya. Spicy rods send forth
odorous light which reflects in broken
rainbows against the fragrant waters
splashing and gushing from a marble
tount.
Placed upon low ivory tables are high
golden vessels filled with iced violet sher-
bets and pOmegranate juice, whilst cryS-
tai covers reflect the golden kiShma, the
amber Bosolli and the ruddy glow of the
sherry wine. Amid them are scattered
dainty dishes and baskets filled to
overhowing with luscious fruits, prunes
of Bokhara, sweet nuts and Basra dates.
In this voluptuous place. this abode of
wanton ease, reclining upon silken cush-
ions, are three girls. whose attitudes are
each more graceful than the other,
and whose beauty is enhanced by the
mellow half-lIght
At the tarthest end of the room, seated
upon raised mounds, are two men, the
first lean, dark-skinned. his features
plainly indicating the oriental race. In
years he is crossing the middle line of
life.
His companion is perhaps few years
Younger, with somewhat handsome
though coarse. sensual face, which keen
observer would deem cruel, nay brutal.
An European doubtless by his speech and
dress.
A girl has just finished dancing and
fings herself, flushed and painting, upon
low, soft divan. Another arises to
dance, at the finish of which a third and
fourth follow.
"Joyev at last exclaims the European,
''among such lot of beWildering beauty,
Hassan, it is impossible to choose the
hanGsomest. That Circassiau with the
red-gold hair is divine, yet when My
eyes stray toward the other three l am
undecided. for they are equally charm
ing"
wholly unconscious and lndl1erent, whle
he continues:
''Yonder Greek is delicious, but presto!
When Amrita turns her jeweled eyes
upon me | am undone, my heart hesi-
tates, and that saucy little Turk sets my
brain whirling with her adorable mouth
and chin"
Hassan Namouna smiles, we'll pleased
to hear his slaves admired.
And you really wish. you really mean
to give me one of these houris?"
Hassan speaks:
"Noble sir, as a slight token Of graft
tude to you, who slew the wild boar of
the Jungle which attacked me, thus saw
ing me from a speedy and horrible death,
to YOU | have sworn to give the tairest
flower of my harem; not one of these"
and his arm sweeps contemptuously to-
ward the reclining girls, Beauty, with
out virtue, my friend, is but sorry rec
ompense l would not insult you by Of
fering you secondhand toy. The one
whom l give you eclipses any of the
women here. AS the snow melts before
the sun, so will their charms vanish,
shrink and fade to insignitcance before
the glorious splendor of her young love
ilness."
He ceases, and placing golden whistle
to his lips blows a shrill note, which is
promptly answered by the appearance OF
black eunuch.
Conduct Rodahva. the Red Lotus,
hither."
a deep obeisance, and the eunuch with
draws.
But few minutes have elapsed ere the
heavy entrance curtains part and young
girl-a mere child-appears. Fifteen
years can scarcely have passed over her
| beautiful head.
| Timid, yet graceful as fawn, she
enters. The long, fringed lids are lew
cred which shade the wide, dark eyes.
Proudly, trifle detiantly, she stands be-
fore them, deathiy pallor overspreading
her lovely face and throat, which in
stantly turns TO scarlet as she feels the
two pair of eyes fastened upon her. She
wears jelick of pale yellow; the gown OF
heavy cloth OF gold reaches TO her ankles,
white silllen baracan binds her slim.
firm waist, thick golden bracelets clasp
each perfect arm. golden sandals encase
the slim, fair feet, upon her small, dark
head is placed wreath OF red lotus bios
SONS. and tangled amid the som Der,
long tresses descending to her hips in
fall Of curls are flowers OF the same. She
stands with down-bent head and loosely
clasped hands, the four girls meanwhile
chanting softly, sweetly, Ziralee.
Hassan Nan4ouna addresses her: My
guest would see you dance, oh, Lotus
Lily"
She lifts her eyes, and the radiance
therefrom seems to fill and flood the
room with sparkling brightness, SO mag
nificent, so soft and beautiful they are;
she rests them upon the speaker.
| Hassan speaks: "Amrita, the syrlnda."
The girls cease singing, whilst Amrlta
sweeps her fingers across the strings OF
the instrument.
Yet the Red Lotus moves not.
Hassan Namouna's face expresses the
utmost astonishment quickly succeeded
| by eXtreme displeaSure.
"Girl, obey J"
Without Il word, she throws herself at
the speak feet.
"Oh, why, why am / brought-why
torn away from home and parents? Re-
store me. oh, sir, to those who mourn
my death. You shall be rewarded
richly repaid"
She clasps his knees, she bends and
kisses his feet, wildly.
Maiden, arise; such scenes are unbe-
coming. Dance, and ii it so pleases this
gentleman, you shall be free.''
She springs to her feet, regarding him
incredulously, with dilated eyes; then
turns to the other man.
"Y ou promises"
II promise"
The music is weird, wild, then becomes
softer, sweeter.
Instantly she is turning in the dreamy
mazes of her native dance; lightly the
supple form swings to the motion of the
music; the long. bare arms sway grace
tossing and bending like wind blown
lily upon its stalk. Rapid and white the