Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-23

was we'll aware of this, even before he met
the potentates naughty stare: but des-
perate game must be dauntlessly played,
and dangers met half way.
The prince, stout autocratic. but self
Misunderstanding gentleman Of fifty, sat
cross-legged amidst pile of cushions on a
low divan, with the Snaky stem of mar
gileh in his right hand. He was alone.
save for a couple of Nubian mutes, one OF
whom kept imaginary flies off him with a
/; loag-Stemmed fan of ostrich feathers, while
the other sauatted at the bowl of the pipe.
ready to refill it as occasion demanded
"Sir!" exclaimed the prince. erecting him.
self Indignantly on his royal launches, do
you venture into my presence before have
signified my pleasure to receive you? Your
lack of respect and ceremony amazeS mel!
Prince replied Meryon. with imper-
turbable politeness. Il have communica-
ton for your private ear-your private ear,
Prince" he repeated. with a slight gesture
of the head toward Eatipha. who was fair
ly dancing up and down in the agony OF
his bloodthirsty impatience to recount his
grievances
His highness hesitated a moment, bend
ing the full force of his glance upon the
young artist, who encountered 1t with one
full as steadfast and significant. RETIRE.!
he then said to the eunuch, waving MS
hand in dismissal
But, most illustrious son Of heaven be-
gan the inflamed functionary, you under
stand not
..Whatr' roared the prince in a sudden
fury; lam 1 told By the filth that oczas be-
meath my feet that 1 understand not" Re
tire instantly or that foul hide of thine
shall be stripped from thy carrion carcass
and serve as mat for dogs to sleep on!
This explosion fairly blew the unwieldy
eunuch out of the room, turning green as
he went with mingled terror and unglutted
malignity. The American and the oriental
were left face to face.
Now. SIR the latter set out, with the
modified sterness of a monarch who has
just enjoyed the satisfaction of soaring a
subject half to death; but Meryon inter-
posed with cool suavity.
Since your highness desires ceremony.
let me remind you that 1 have not been
asked to take seat. May inquire if you
expect me to conduct this interview stand
ing?'
The princes breath temporarily forsook
him. Meanwhile he and Meryon eyed each
other intentiy. Meryon by this time was
reused to the pitch of being capable of
anything. But his anger had the useful
effect of collecting instead of scattering his
faculties. and he was outwardy cold as
sherbet and calm as June morning. He
was very different from the genial. careless
young fellow who during the past six or
eight weeks had amused and interested the
potentate. After a few pregnant seconds
the prince, rejecting that they were alone
0he mutes didn't counD and inwardly SEN
sible of the impress Of spirit he had not
calculated on, intimated that a place beside
him was at the others disposal. Meryon
leisurely sat down and pursued his ad-
vantage.
Let us clearly understand each other,
prince" he said. II have hitherto met you
with the informal confidence which friend
naturally observes toward his friend; but
must tell you that any attempt to impose
on my good nature will be promptly check
cd. Is chat plain, or shall l more fully ex-
plain MYSELF"
Some real curiosity blended with the out
ragged dignity of his hghness as he asked:
what do you mean by taking to me like
that? Don't you know that by nod of the
head / can cause you to he baStinadoed,
boiled in oil and bOw-Strung?'
Meryon smiled; the smile broadened to a
chuckle and the chuckle expanded into a
loud and hearty peal of laughter
The prince frowned, clutched his beard.
kicked off a slipper, put his hand toward
the gong and withdrew it, and then.
abruptly overcome by the mysterious alb
surdity OF the situation, burst into roars of
merriment as resonant his guests Ha-
tipha, hearing from without this combined
uproar Of nlirth, uttered a scream of de-