The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1894-08-01


NocN\ had upon the eyes
A., PIVM the binding effect
W. coW of the flashing of n
w mirror in the sun.
II was not time of battle.
The little army composed this mill
tary Gordon with which Ismail Pacha
protected the recently established ag.
,ricultural districts on the borders of
Abyssinia, and the roads for traffic,
which in 1866 had not long been
opened.
The dearth of cotton, caused by the
Civil War of the United States, had
given lsmail the idea OF making Egypt
great cotton growing country, and
since then, railways, telegraphs and
all manner of improvements have been
introduced.
At the date of the story, great cara.
vans of camels bore the products of
the fields to their various market,
and no roaring, red.eyed steam mon
ster had yet invaded the land of mys-
terry, silence and the sphinx.
Every one was languid. The off
GERS resting in their tents, the com
mon soldiers squatting about at ease.
A caravan on its way south had paused
to eat and rest until night fell, and
that great, golden thing, the moon of
Egypt, should rise to light them on
their way. Each man had said his
prayers, and before praying, since
water was not plentiful, had rubbed
his hands with dust-which was
counted to his credit just the same by
the recording angel of his paradise,
who always makes allowance for cir
cumstances. Now peace hgd fallen
upon the hot world, where almost
everybody slumbered
In his tent Captain Ibin El-Warra.
kah was dreaming. His dreams carried
him away from the tents, the soldiers
and all his present surroundings. He
was once more in the home of his
Uncle Rizk-entertained as beloved
guest He had seen his aunt, who
was his mothers sister, even without
the lace-veil. But she, having sent
kind messages to his mother, and
given him present, had retired to
Pthe private rooms Of the women, from
which, now and then, came a silvery
ripple of laughter, and words spoken
in voice that was the sweetest he had
ever heard.
He knew it was that of his Cousin
Fat-Meh. Fat-Meh had been beau
tiful little girl. He had always re-
membered Fat affectionately. But
now he could not ask to see her, any
more than II she had been the daughter
of some stranger. He might not look
upon woman's face, even If she were
his cousin. He bowed to custom, as
&he young man of this country does.
But it came into his mind, now that
little Fat.Meh, who had been as dear
~ sister to him in those baby years,
was veiled and hidden from him as
from stranger, that even old estab-
lished Egyptian customs might be
carried too far.
He sat and ate the various dishes
which the black slave offered to the
guests. But all the while he thought
of little Fat-Meh, and laid plan by
which at least to see her.
In Egypt, one is not obliged to sit
'at table until all the company have
finished their meal. Each may rise
when he is satisfied, saying, "Praise
be to God" wash his hands in the
ever which the servant holds for him
before and after meals, dry them on
the embroidered towel and retire from
sthe company.
And so, as soon as he dared, Ibin
did this, and saying that he wished
once more to see the garden and POM
egranate trees under which he had
played in childhood, left the room.
Out into the garden he went and
standing where he could see the lat
ticed windows above, began to sing a
little rhyme that children sing when
they play together, beating time with
hispalms. What more naturally, when
memories Of youth returned with the
sight OF the garden where before Fat
Meh had been able to walk alone, ht
had led her by her tiny hand-whs'
more natural than that he should re
member the rhyme and sing it again
And while he sang another voice
/. soft and low, took up the strain. Som
. one was singing behind the lattice o
the window. He knew it was Fat
Meh. A little later and he saw tina
the lattice was pushed softly open.
veiled face peeped forth, hand wa
extended for . moment aud ros,
dropped. Above the veil he saw gres