The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1895-03-27

She was Circassian-her dark, lang
uorous eyes and golden hair made heI
the more valuable A mouth cleft like
a pomegranate trembled in fear and
embarrassment. "Per Bacho, little
gem ~ muttered the Levantine at the
threshold.
The pasha lowered his eyes to sean
the treasure and the better 10 hide his
true feelings.
Yards and yards of snowy gauze en-
wrapped bat scarcely concealed the
outlines OF a perfect form.
"An houri, my lord, the daughter of
a chief aud only l6."
''She is too old, said the pasha cool
ly.
'Not for blonde. See her hair, how
fine, as pale as sunshine ~
at is bleached p'
'';See her hand, how small her skin,
how white ~
at is painted ~
"And see how shy she is, a proof of
her youth and breeding"
Finally the dealer named the price,
81 800 lira. Israli laughed aloud.
''She is cross-eyed, oh, Haflz ~
''Nay, | am running myself; she is
worth $500 Ira"
| tGS,a 10 ,loar ot -nn Sla :; H., ~
Before Allah, no. See her instep,
like Spaniard. She is as fleet as
young fawn."
~ will give you 600 Ira"
"Allah forbid, il would kill me See
her teeth, like pearls, oh, pasha she is
a reward TO the blest-"
Half an hour passed in this way. Tie
slave stood in suspense, her checks
flushing and paling alternately. The
other listened. Some of the women
envied her fate.
Haiiz and the pasha agreed upon u
thousand Ira.
''She is yours but may my ancestors
forgive ME, and my children keep me
from starvingr' ~
One of the servants counted the gold
en- pieces from linen bag while Liela
hamoun stole a glance ut her new own
er.
al go tonight 10 Adrianople on busi-
ness. Send her to my house tomorrow,
well attended and if harm begall her
here tben-rememoer ~
The merchant protested loudly.
Israli turned on his heel and LEFT, not
deigning single word to the girl
whose future he now owned.
''Hafiz turned to the Levantine
dashing young fellow, and q member
of the fastest set in fashionable Pera.
"Does my lord see aught here to
please him 81
"No friend Hafiz, your goods are all
too old. Women are not like wine,
they sour with age"
81 have the power TO secure you
something young and IAN"
The other curled his lip.
"It is no use. / am not ofyour faith.
l thank you COR your hospitality" The
merchant glanced after him with
look of disgust. Cursed be- the dog of
q Christian ~
The following morning the Arabic
servant led camel into the narrow
street and assisted Liela To mount it.
She was veiled and swarthed, TO en-
tirely conceal her identity.
The road lay toward kadikuri. and
the sun was hot and strong. The camel
joited his burden in the most uncom-
Portable manner, and the Arabian took
frequent rests as he went.
They passed fields of beautiful scarlet
popple, shedges ofanemones and groves
of expresses which pointed solemnly
up to the clear blue sky. Ruined pal
aces on the rivers brink, poor cottages
and neglected graveyards marked the
road. They saw troops of swarthy sol
diers going TO the barracks in their
dark uniforms and red fezes.
Some old Jewish merchants passed,
counting their prayer beads young
Turkish girls with silver plastres in
their dusky hair, went laughingly by,
while Greek funeral, with its open
bier and hired mourners, took the mid
die OF the road.
81 hear stream across the bank,
Liela hamoun," said Ach Met, after
they had goue over half Of the way.
II will get some water for myself. Shall
1 bring yon some in my cap?'
"None for me-" she replied, half
turning her head. He disappeared
through the rows of mandrake plants,
leaving the camel peacefully standing
in the dusty road.
a housekeeping black horse came in
sight, bearidg on his back handsome
young rider, whom the girl discovered
TO be the stranger of yesterday, the wit
ness of her sale and exchange.
His bold dark eyes spied the solitary
figure upon the camel, ne stopped be-
side her. This was some pasha's pre-
cious charge, he thought; the old fel-
lows had the prettiest women locked
up, as everyone knew.
He east his eyes about before he adj
dressed her.
"Here is a beauty left deserted, per-
haps in distress. Pray, pretty one,
raise that thick veil and let me see you
smile"
She hesitated then, attracted by the
frank face and laughing manner, she
stretched out an imploring hand.
"Oh, sir, if you could only helpme to
escape from that ugly old pasha | am
on my way to him-the servant is over
the hedge there. Oh, effendi excel
lency, am too noble to be slave y
'To be sure-of course By 1t. George
what eyes, what color. The pret-
tiest girl in Pera pales besides You"
"Oh, do you really mean il ?"
"But yes, do. 1t does my eyes good
TO see you as the old women say |
would rive my last Ira for "A kiss from