Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1899-03-29
THREE MEETINGS.

II
if-E5Ty through the streets of CONSTANT
narle. For several weeks past Zoe had
hal TO sell the service of her clever little
hands to a lady in ono OF tho foreign en-
b9-sicS, AS fortune, in her mind synony-
ufaus with good match. had not come to
her As quickly rs she had hoped when she
lesa the little island where she had always
IlE1 until then. New she was the favor
IT, eervant of her mistress, wore her ladyfs
ela,hes whenever she could without get
tirg caught and used her tortoise shell
coluh to do her hair Mt her lady s dressing
table and in spite of all this she consid-
ard herself the most faithful and trust
worthy of ladies' maids.
But one day Zoe was not to be found,
neither In her mistress boudoir, her study
nor in the bazaar. where she was always
SO fond OF making purchases for my lady
Zoe had gone where all the beau monde"
of STEAMBOAT and Pera We're assem- bled, by
the Sweet Waters of Europe. The first
fine sprii day with its warm sunshine,
when eN rything in nature gave forth
pleasant fragrance and hlOssomed and
rIi-f,t5t had cnticod every orc out of
doors to the delightful banks OF the Sweet
Wat =, Hat valley OF luxurious charms at
tn IL 4 II the Golden Horn. Tho wntar-
w !'s-lf that separates old STEAMBOAT
T m tie Frankish quarter was strewn
With leafs of all kinds-caks, mouehes
80 GER boats All were vending their
elg ward the Same goal, rs the vehicles
AID carriages Of every description along
tn I'd on the other side.
1t was Friday, tho sunday" OF the
MussuImans At the Sweet Waters was
as-e4tbled every one who could leave the
CITY every ere who had followed the "se-
laulik," the su!tans procession, to tho
u4S4ue, was now going on horseback, by
hat or carriage down into the shady val
] Sc. where tho meadows shimnered in
their fresh green and tho sun shoue so
hs3ghtly. ZaeAs bold glanocs, too, flew
hither ard thither. Here sEc hoped to
ind the fultl.iucnt Of her wishes, She
Would not Po back tuthe toll and restraint
Of tho island she wanted to flGtter out
into Gods auttful world. and for this
ste must ard weuld marry, for not until
then, ste thought could she find complete
freedom.
And so she was now seated in q small
caIk, Just large enough for two. he boat
rocked to and fro on tho slistcning waves,
but she had 'a eyes for tho brilliant color
effects of the element t. which sne had
trusted herself nor for the beauties of the
shore, bordered with plantains that threw
deep shadows on the water. She was in
tent on the soft whisperinRs of a young
man on the lew cushions beside her, in the
half reclining position which tho structure
of the little vessel necessitated. To-day she
scorned the yashmak. The young Italian
Bartolo the ew porter at the embassy,
who had invited her on the water, was to
30, Il
leave the caik until be had offered her HIS
hand-with or without his heart, it made
no difference to the little coquette.
The sun was sinking and crimson
glow spread over the sky and water. Most
Of the boats had vanished, for no Turkish
woman dares DO outside the harem after
sunset. soft evening breeze famed
Zoe's burning checks and sent the slender
boat through the deep shadows cast by
the trees on the bank where the moon
shone between the foliage. The soft voice
of the young Italian was telling of the lit
tie inns in his country that help make so
many young couples fortune THE for
estiers would come in crowds If such q
bella padrona' poured out their sweet
Falernian wine for them,' he whispered
softly. and Zoe's head dropped SO that tho
brightness OF her dark eyes might not be-
tray her satisfaction too soon.
When at last night sank down upon the
Golden Horn, and tho young pair disem
barked at tho Pera quay to wander back
arm in arm thu ough the silent streets, Zoe
was Bartolo promised bride
About the mouth Of each lowered tri
umphant smile. They spoke Of love, but
Zoe thought OF the good bargain she had
made, and Bartolo asked himself how he
might best make use of tho girls credul
ity.
A few weeks later we meet Zoe again at
the door of the embassy, where she had
Just helped arrange her mistress heavy
train in the sedan chair that carried her
of to an entertainment, accompanied by
the EN- bassador's kawasse Then after
whispered word to Bartolo, HON she met
at the door of the porter's lodge, the sen-
der Greek girl hurried softly up the car
peted marble stars There her searching
glance swept the empty boudoir of her
mistress She lighted the gas chandelier
quickly and disappeared in the adjoining
dressing room, where the little Turkish
girl, who was under her control. was al
ready awaiting her
Quick, Sel.na!" she called impatiently.
Bring me the paper box that's in my
rooml"
And then the vain little lady began her
toilet.
To-day or never" she murmured to
herself as she tried all secrets Of the toilet
she had learned from her mistress. IF he
is not completely enchanted when he sees
me before him in this lovely wedding
gown that has cost me all my savings and
the toll of all these weeks, then l shall
never gain my object with him Today
he must name the wedding day, today he
must promise to announce our engage
ment
Then with the heated curling irons she
waved the short hair that grew close to
her forehead, took up the yellow powder
that her mistress only used when she
wished to make a particularly charming
effect, and with the ivory manicure ar
ticles, which she took out of their blue
plush case, she removed the slightest I'M
evenness from the we'll cared for nails OF