Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-01-27


quietly elbowed the eunuch aside as h
wished his highness good morning.
Meryon had, as has been intirnated
been permitted great freedom in tn
palace, and was accustomed to observe
little ceremony in approaching thu
prince; but the difference at court be
tween man in favor and out Of it is q.
great as between musk rose and {
skunk cabbage. Meryon was well
potentate's naughty stare; but des-
perate game must be dauntlessly
played, and dangers met half way.
TIE prince, a stout, autocratic, but
MISUNDERSTANDING gentleman of
nifty, sat cross-legged amidst pile OF
cushions on a low divan, with the
snaky stem of nargileh in his right
hand. He was alone, save for couple
OF Nubian mutes, one of whom kept
imaginary flies off him with o long.
s.efnIned fan of ostrich feathers while,
Inc other squatted at the bowl, of the
pipe ready to refill it as occasion de-,
| handed
on. exclaimed the prince, erecting
himself Indignantly on his royal
H''uhches, 90 you venture into nv
presence before l have signifed nv
| pleasure to receive you? Your lack az
respect and ceremony amazes me,n
Prince, replied Meryon. with i'm
9erturbable politeness, Il have a com
inunlcation for your private car-youri
private ear, prince" he repeated, with
a sight gesture of the head towards
hatlpha, who was fairly dancing upI
and down in the agony Of his blood
thirsty Impotence to recount his
grievances.
His highness hesitated moment.
bending the full force of his glance
upon theyoung artist, who encountered
II with one full asstead fast and signi6-
cant. RETIRE. he then said to the
eunuch, waving his hand in disinis-
sal.
But, most illustrioGs son OF Heaven"
began the inhamed functionary, You
understand not"
WHAT" roared the prince. in a sud-
den fury; ''aln | told by the filth that
oozes beneath my feet that | under.
stand not? Retire instantly, or that
foul hide OF thine shall be stripped from
ting carri0n carcass and serve as a mat
Tor dogs 10 sleep on.''
This explosion fairly blew the IN.
wieldy eunuch outof the room. turning
green Is he went with mingled terror
and unglutted malignity. The Ameri-
can ana the oriental were left face to
face
Now, Sir" the latter set out with
the modified sternness Of a monarch
who has just enjoyed the satisfaction
OF soaring subject half to death: bu:
Meryon interposed with cool suavity.
since your highness desires cere-
mony, let me remind you that | have
not been asked to take a seat. MavI
inquire If You expect me to conduct this
interview standing?"
The princes breath Temporarily for.
sock him. Meanwhile he and Mervon
eyed each other intently. Meryon by
this time was reused to the pitch of be-
ing capable Of anything. But his an
ger had the useful effect of collecting
instead of scattering his faculties. and
ne was outward'y cold as shcrbet 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 inter-
ested the potentatc. After q few
pregnant seconds the prince. re-
hectlng that they were alone (the
mutes didn't count and inwardly seu-
hble OF the impress Of spirit he had
not calculated on, intimated that a
place beside him was at the others dis
posal. Meryon leisurely sat down and
his advantage.
Let US clearly understand each 9TH
er, prince" he said. Il have hitherto
met you with the informal confidence
which a, friend naturally observes
towards his friend; but | must tell YOU
that any attempt to impose on my good
nature viii be promptly checked. Is
that plain, or shall l more fully explain
MYSELF"
Some real curiosity blended with the
outraged dignity of his highness as hs
asked: wv hat do you mean by talking
% me like that? Don't you know that
by nod OF the head can cause YOU to
be bastinadoed, boiled in oil and bow.
,trung?n
Meryon smiled; the smile broadened
% chucllle, and the ehucl1le expanded
nto loud and hearty peal of laughter.
The prince frowncd, clutched his
beard kicked Off slipper, put his hand
owards the gong and withdrew it. and
hen, abruptly overcome by the mvs-
erIous absuriity of che situation. burst
nto roars of merriment as resonant as
us guests. Hatipha, hearing from
this combined uproar of mirth,
a scream of despair and waddled
rantically away to the harem, where
lercnt his robes and boxed the ears of
vhomsoever was not active enough to
ret out of his reach.
.Ceasing at length and wiping the
ears from his cheeks with the gold
satin cuff of his caftan.
lis highncss painted out: And now,
What have we been laughing at?"
-
CHAPTER III.
Meryon did not at once reply. He
ook his cigarette case from his pocket.
elected cigarette and said to the
'ubian of the nargileh: ''Bov,
ght.' After obtainincr II he dra,x =, 4,