The herald., 1895-08-06
FRANKS OF HAREM FAVORlTES

IL was very much amused by the story
in last weeks Modern Society Of the lady
who visited Mr.. Husseins harem in Con.
stantinople, and ! could not help think
ing that she had much better luck than
myself, when, thanks TO the wife OF the
Dutch am AMBASSADOR, was allowed to
enter the mysterious love-nest of a very
high parsonage in the same city. The
place was q perfect dream OF loycliness; !;
ali around a square yard paved in marble
and mosaics' were small retreats, glitter
ing with the most lovely stuffs of those
pale and undecided SHADES which are only
to be found in the east. In each one a
color was predominant, and tall vases OF
the most graceful form were filled with
flowers matching the draperies or form
ing with them the most happy contrast.
Enormous square boxes in Coloreu faience
scattered about, contained green plants
and cactus with huge thick leaves. half
hiding the most fantastic mauve. pink and
red blooms.
''On our arrival the great eunuoh
crossed his two arms on his breast and
opened the cedar and mother of pearl
gates of this enchanting fairy palace,
where some twenty women vera diversely
| occupied; some reclining or lying on
cushions and rich carpets. some sitting
in silver baignoires and splashing with
their jeweled hands a. perfumsd water.
arranging flowers in their hair some fan.
ming themselves with feather screens. etc.
Most Of them were young. small. with
long eyes and well-cut features, the beau
ties of the Caucasus evidently. The older
ones looked heavy. almost typsy. ana |
never in my life saw such horrid hanging
chins and unshapely fat arms. They
were monstrous.
1--WE were scarcely in, my friend and
| myself. when all the ladies began the
! most unexpected antics; some gathered
| in corner and giggled, some ran away
and hid themselves behind their curtains,
| looking at us with wide-open eyes like
| frightned does; some-the mo!e bold
| ones-surrounded us and danced jcyiully,
| as if delighted to see something new at
| last. We were very much amused and
began to smile and gesticulate SO engag
| ingly-great impudence, no dOubt-that
all of sudden the whole troop was be-
sieging us. regular assault; one took
| my bonnet Off my head and put it on h er
black curls; another deftly unlocked my
| cape and went away with it, while a
small one, kneeling before me, busted
| herself unbuttoning my high boots. tick
| ling me all the time and convulsed with
| laughter. When | looked at my friend
| she was almost fainting. and no wonder.
| Three young ladies-two of them dressed
en- Venus sortant de l'Ponde, their plump
| little bodies dripping water on the floor,
! for they had jumped out of their baths
| had succeeded in tearing off her light
muslin blouse and we're trying to unhook
| her stays amid roars of laughter. Hap
| PLY for us, the splendid gates were
| opened again and a stately woman. su.
perbly dressed, entered the apartment
| preceded by an euruch and followed by
| two little girls in white wool garments.
| She salnted us gravely and looked with a
| slight frown at the scene before her
Then she shrugged her shoulders. n
| scornful smile curled her lips, which
were painfully red with paint. and She
said a few words to her attendants.
| Then she walked on without granting Us
a second look She was. We heard. the
beloved and legitimate wife CT the master
| of the house.
1--WE had entertained the vain hope that
| thanks to her. we should be able to re-
| cover our belongings. but it was a mere
| illusion; all the fair robbers had fed
| away and hidden their stolen treasures.
| had lost one boot. so, according to the
! precepts of the gospel, | gave her the
other and half naked-myself waking in
my stockings. my friend without her
| gloves. looking as il we had just had a
| fair fight with our hlsbands-we regained
| our carriage, not KNOWN 6 quite whether
we should laugh or give vent to the very
| bad temper which was boiling within Our
| breasts. Modern Society.