The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-04-02

disease"
Il have none, Allah be praised" she said
the word My slave Ilsamn that is afflicted.
Tel me the symptoms Of her trouble. If 1t
Know, then, that this Isamin is infatuated
since her arrival in the Golden City. For she
hath fallen in love with one, Frank even as
thou art; that is to say, not having the blue
eyes nor the corDse-like wilderness of visage
men, but and here l could observe the eyes
taking my measure-"a dark-haired, dark
whiskered Franji, whose color is between
bronze and brown his forehead somewhat sal
low, his eyes like unto wells of water in the
desert and himself slender as a willow tree
This I knew was part carcature and part
compliment but on hearing a rustic behind the
tendance l replied, IF such be the Frank he
is a son of the East. Let thy slave
be given 10 him.
A sudden cry Of joy interrupted me. but the
Princess would herself be heard Peace" she
said; how can l make present to this Frank
of my lord s servant? For she has found favor
in the sight of Abu Dahab This Christian hath
dared to tell her owner that he must marry
her; yea and divorce his wives, or she will not
cast an eye upon him Heardestt. thou ever
such confidence in a bought save?'
"A girls voice broke in with tears and pro-
a treason so black / only desire of Abu Dahab
that he would send to my father. the
Maronite, and take ransom for me
Thou art a fool Jasmn," said her mis-
tress; many another girl has risen from the
selling block TO the royal seat. Truly, were I
like the Sultana Zubeida 1 had cut thee in four
quarters
Dahab- wit thou have him divorce me, pretty
one?" Nay" saith she, and the pearls fell
sci sobblng; this mixture Of comedy and trag
edy overcame her, we'll 1t might, for
can tell how suddenly the eastern sky will
change from sunshine TO scathing storm.
II will take the maiden" said l. =" and de-
liver into the hand of this Frank who is
loyal to him
was her next observation. Were it not better
to ask of the physician some white powder that
l could give the damsel? How shall she be
taken secretly from the harem?"
turned to Masnd Speak now and tell thy
NOUS plan and the Princess gave sort of
. acquiesenCe. She was clearly wavering be-
tween fear of what might happen If we failed
and a true. though not deep, kindness toward
Isamin. At last she exclaimed. In the name
of God" thereby signifying her consent, and in
the instant saw one breadth of the cur
tain roll on its golden hinges and young girl
stepped forth alone. Yes. II proved the same
gorgeous dress and the same sweet face which
( had scanned two DAYS previousIy-again the
veil was put back and Ilsamin fell at my feet.
I raised her up. my lord, my master" she
not friend" she said hastily. with a tender
glance toward Masud "Ah, no. for this youth
iiverer, and how long / have waited for thee.
Often did look through the lattices and con-
slider thee in thy riding past,
II have many names, my child, said /, but
let me hear thy story,
MY story is soon told | am the daughter
knoweet-all as one. Ably Marya, the way
from Palmyra to Damascus, there we abode.
motion of the hand Time was passing like
the wind. From my home I was stolen by
Bedawin at years of age, carried to Smyrna,
sold there and yet once more carried sea,
sold in the market at Kairouan-to a good
master, though a Moslem
He taught mellow many things? Then
he died-God be merciful to Mahmud Efendi!
And again I was on the market. Abu Dahab
gave heap of gold for this body which he
flame ere he shall touch me. Then Masud took
pity on my wretchedness; AL Cairo. one who
had made the pilgrimage to Mecca. but
Frank who lived single and with a blameless
reputation, unlike the Persans that we see.
wait, Ilsamin" said l. another three
days; 1t is not long. Masud shall see thee over
the first stage; I will answer for the rest
But even then l was on the point Of perish
ing A sound of arms and music in the outer
court announced some arrival. Jasmin fed be-
hind the curtain with one appealing look and
labyrinth of cross passages, from the barred
windows in which l saw All Bey with
numerous staff at the gate Of the palace.
house there are secrets known to the slaves
which the master would be long in discover
ing When we had reached a storeroom
found myself stepping on a square OF carpet
that he plucked Immediately from under my
feet.
A second movement of the energetic Nubian
was to pull up a piece of the flooring which
the dark waters Of a canal. In another mo-
ment 1 hanging to a rope which he let
down cautiously some eighteen or twenty feet.
The descent was not without peril, but when
narrow ledge of stones like the coping of an
arch, and still with a hand on the rope l
guided myself gradually out of this difficult
place into a winding and deserted lane. No
sooner had reached It than, on looking back,
/ saw the cord drawn and the aperture closed.
L reached home and set about my prepara-