The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-01-04
SELECTED STORY.
Three Meetings.

graceful creek girls lndI eNer ulpFou
lightly through the streets OF CoIstan-
tinople. For several weeks past Zoe
had had to sell the service of her clever
little hands to lady in one OF the
foreign embassies, as fortune, in her
mind synonymous with 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 favorite SER
want of her mistress, wore her lady's
clothes whenever she could without
getting caught and used her tortoise
shell comb to do her hair at her lady's
dressing table, and in spite of al this
che considered herself the most faith
full and trustworthy 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 80 fond of making purchases for
my lady. Zoe had gone where oil the
"beau monde" of Sanb jul and Pera
were assembled, by the Sweet Waters
of Europe. The first fine spring day
with its warm sunshine, when every
thing in nature gave forth pleasant fra
GRANGE and blossomed and glistened
had enticed every one out CT doors to
the delightful banks of the Sweet
Waters, that valley of luxurious charms
at the end of the Golden Horn. The
waterway itself that separates old
Stamboul from the Frankish quarter
was strewn with boats of all kinds
oaks, 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
Mussulmaus. Al the Sweet Waters
was assembled every one who could
leave the city, every one who bad fol-
lowed the 'selamlik," the sultan'' pro
cession to the mosque, was now going
on horseb ack, by boat or carriage down
into the shady valley, where the
meadows shimmered in their fresh
green and the sun shone so brightly.
z e's bold glances, too, flew hither and
thither. Here she hoped to find the
ful6llment of her wishes. She would
not 90 back to the toll and restraint of
the island; she wanted to futter out in
to Gods beautiful world, and for this
she must and would marry, for not I'M
til then, she thought, could she find
complete freedom.
And 80 she was now seated in a
small calk, jast large enough for two.
The boat rocked to and fro on the glis-
tening waves, but she had no eyes for
the brilliant color effects of the ele-
ment to which she had trusted herself,
nor for the beauties of the shore, Dor
dered with plantains that threw deep
shadows on the water. She was intent
on the soft whisperings of a young man
on the low cushions beside her, in the
half reclining position which the struc-
ture of the little vessel necessitated.
To-day she scorned the yashmak.t The
young Italian Bartolo, the new porter
at the EN- bassy, who had invited her on
the water, was to be enchanted and
captured, and must not leave the calk
until he had offered her his band
with or without his heart, it made no
difference to the little coquette.
The sun 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 the
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 little
inns in his country that help makes so
many young couples fortune. The
forestiers would come in crowds if such
a bella padrona' poured out their
sweet Falernian wine for them," he
whispered softly, and Zoe's head drop
ped 80 that the brightness of her dark
eyes might not betray 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 wan
der back arm in arm through the Ell
lent streets, Zoe was Bartolo's promis-
ed bride.
About the mouth of each lowered
triumphant smile. They spoke of love
but Zoe thought of the good bargain
81 had made, and Bartolo asked him
self how he might best make use of the
girls credulity.
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 car
ried her off to an entertainment, ac-
companied by the ambassadors kawas-
Be. Then after whispered word 10
Bartolo, whom she met at the door of
the porter's lodge, the slender Greek
girl hurried softly up carpeted marble
stairs. There her searching glance
swept the empty boudoir of her mis-
tress. She lighted the gas chandelier
quickly and disappeared in the adjoin-
ing dressing room, where the little Tur-
kish girl, who was under her control,
was already awaiting her.
"Quick, Selina" she called impatient
ly. bring me the paper box that's in
my roomn
And then the vain little lady began
her toilet.
ITO day or never" she murmured to
herself as she tried all secrets of the
toilet she had learned from her mis-
tress. "If he is not completely en-
chanted 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
nv object with him To-day he must