Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-06-09
THREE MEETINGS.

THREE MEETINGS.
Zoe was one of the prettiest and most
graceful Greek girls that ever tripped
lightly through the streets of CONSTANT
nople. For several weeks past Zoe had
had to sell the service Of her clever little
hands to a lady in one of the foreign cm-
bassies, as fortune, in her mind synony-
nous with a good match, had not come to
her as quickly as she had hoped when she
left the little island where she had always
lived until then. Now she was the favor
lite servant of her mistress, wore her lady's
clothes whenever she could without get
ting caught and used her tortoise shell
comb to do her hair at her lady's dressing
table, and in spite of all this she consid'
cred 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 were assembled, by
the Sweet Waters of Europe. The first
fine spring day with it's warm sunshine.
when everything In nature gave forth
pleasant fragrance and blossomed and
glistened had enticed every n out OF
doors to the delightful banks of the Sweet
Waters, that valley of luxurious charms at
the end Of the Golden Horn. The water
way itself that separates old STEAMBOAT
from the Frankish quarter was strewn
with boats of all kinds-caiks, mouches
and larger boats. All were vending their
way toward the same goal, as the vehicles
and carriages Of every description along
the road on the other side.
1t was Friday, the Sunday" Of the
Mussulmans. At the Sweet Waters was
assembled every one who could leave the
lamlik," the sultan's procession, to the
mosque, was now going on horseback, by
boat or carriage down into the shady val
ley, where the meadows shimmered in
their fresh green and the sun shone SO
brightly. Zoe's bold glances. too, flew
hither and thither. Here she hoped to
find the fulfllment of her wishes. She
would not go back to the toll and restraint
Of the island; she wanted to flutter out
into Gods beautiful world, and for this
she must and would marry, for not until
then, she thought, could she find complete
freedom.
And so she was now seated in q small
oaik, just large enough for two. The boat
rocked to and fro on the glistening waves,
but she had no eyes for the brilliant color
effects of the element to which sine had
trusted herself, nor for the beauties of the
shore, bordered with plantains that threw
deep shadows on the water. She wal in
tent on the soft whisperings of a young
man on the low cushions beside her, in the
half reclining position which the structure
Of the little vessel necessitated. Today she
scorned the yashmak. The young italian
Bartolo, the new porter at the embassy,
who had invited her on the water, was to
be enchanted and captured, and must not
leave the caik until he had offered her his
hand-with or without his heart, it made
no difference to the little ooquette.
The sur was sinking and a crimson
glow spread over the sky and water. Most
Of the boats had vanished, for no Turkish
woman dares be outside tile harem after
sunset. A soft evening breeze famed
Zoe's burning cheeks 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 a
bella padrona' poured out their sweet
Falernian wine for them,'' he whispered
softly, and Zoe's head dropped so that the
brightness Of her dark eyes might not be-
tray her satisfaction too soon.
When at last night sank down upon the
Golden Horn, and the young pair disem-
barked at the Pera quay to wander back
arm in arm through the silent streets, Zoe
was Bartolo's promised bride.
About the mouth Of each lowered a 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 the girls credul-
ity.
the door Of the embassy, where she had
just helped arrange her mistress heavy
train In the sedan chair that carried her
on to an entertainment, accompanied by
the 81 AMBASSADORS kawasse. Then after q
whispered word to Bartolo, whom she met
at the door Of the porter's lodge, the slen-
der Greek girl hurried softly up the car
peted marble stairs. 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, Selinal" she called impatiently.
Bring me the paper box that's in my
roomP'
And then the vain little lady began her
toilet.
"Today or never" she murmured- to
herself as she tried all secrets Of the toilet
she had learned from her mistress. ''If he
10 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 / shall
never gain my object with him. Today
he must name the wedding day, today he
must promise 70 . engage
Then with the heated curling irons she
waved the short hair that grew close TO
forehead, took up the yellow powder
her mistress only used when she
to make . particularly charming
effect, and with the Ivory manicure ar
ticles, which ahs took out Of their blue
plush case, she removed the slightest I'M
evenness from the we'll cared Tor nails Of
her little hands. Then she put on the
gown Of heavy white silk, made In the
latest fashion, which Selma lifted admir-
ont Of the hnx. AMI affair = aaklaAad