The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1899-11-24

Ayxa begone, and in silence and secu-
sion her heart may teach her lessons
of wisdom. I have spoken
The unhappy woman, without da:-
ing to utter syllable salaamed silent
ly; but, as she withdrew, she turned,
with heaving breast, and cast upon
Zoraya such look of enven,n"i
hatred, that her triumphant rival in
voluntarily recoiled.
Boabdil. stroking his beard, and dis
pelling all traces OF hardness from his
face and his voice, turned with an in
dulgent smile to the other women: "In
the outer court there is a Spanish
stranger, who has, so he pretends, mar
vellous pretty things to show. This
court is more convenient to the display
of his wares; therefore, for little time,
l beg you to retire to your upper rooms.
| promise you that you shall not be
disappointed On your return" Then.
turning to Zoraya, who stood under
his protecting touch, pouting and plum
ing herself like some pretty pigeon, he
pinched her ear caressingly and whisp-
cred: "Did not little bird tell me that
my morning star desired above all
things forehead ornament Of rubies,
to match the ruby lips?'
Zoraya smiled and nodded eagerly,
but, in reality, the thought of the trink-
ct was overshadowed by an absorbing
recollection that Boabhil's words
brought to her MINI.
A year ago, slave girl, pecping
from window in Tangier, she had oh
served a handsome stranger,a Spaniard,
with little cas-, Oh his back like
jewellers pack passing down the street.
As their eyes met, in moment of ex-
citement and bravodo, she had dropped
her veil, and laughed with delight to
see the effect Of her beauty upon
him.
A coqucttish impulse of curiosity
now seized upon her to discover if this
Spanish stranger were the same. One
forbidden glance. Sufficient to send
delicious thrill of dangerous and ro-
matte imagings all through the long,
idle, sleepy days of a Moorish woman's
year. The fountain still splashed on
softly, and she drew in her breath, and
started, finding herselfalone. The 9th
er women, with their elinking anklets,
and little bursts of laugh and chatter,
had fluttered offlke so many paroquets.
Zoraya gave one bright, bold look
round the deserted court, and then she
too disappeared.
"You may come in,' the stately
Moor said to his obscquious guest.
"Spread out your wares on the ledge
of the fountain, and very shortly l will
be with you
1t was pretty spot, the womens
court, lined with slender columns of
cleaning stucco; soft and costly rugs
warming the marble pavement. In
the basin of the fountain large gold
fish caught the sunlight on their bril-
liant fins, and giittered like jewels.
There were signs of recent occupation;
one woman had forgotten her lutte,
another her coffee tray, and a covey Of
pigeons were cooing delightfully."- over
some scattered sweets in corner.
Lorenzo paid little heed to his sur
roundings. His thoughts were intent
on business. Very well he knew the
danger of trtling with Moorish women.
Sweethearts were just as pretty and
more accessible in Spain. There he
had lady love in every town, from
Malaga to Cadiz. He busily occupied
his time in spreading out necklaces,
anklets, charms, sequine, and orna-
ments of turquoise and precious stones
on the ledge of the fountain, so they
would best take the eye of the Moor
on his return. 1t was very still in the
women's court. Only the soft splash
of the fountain, and the occasional rip
pie of the goldfish, as it rose to the sur
face, broke the silence. A slight noise
caused Lorenzo to start and look up.
For one instant the curtain of an up
per window was stealthi!y withdrawn
and an unveiled face of Moorish
woman, beautiful, seductive, mysteri-
Gus, smiled down upon him.
A little laugh woke the echoes
Quickly the curtain was replaced, and
the face disappeared. Lorpnz, sprang
to his feet, all his ardent, adventurous
nature Oh fire. Business an prudence
for nom mt wee forgotten. "Per
Dio-the face, the same pretty face!'
he exclaimed
H. felt hand Oh his shoulder.
"What is it, my friend asked the
smooth-tongued Moor.
"A face, face that | have seen
before, l. ,renz stammcrcd imprudent-
ly.
The brows of BDablil contracted,
and his voice harl1nel ever s. slight
ly: "a face h eNciaim ,d; "'what
facet"
But LorcnZ) had now recovered his
usual impuleat sclf-possession. BAH"
he said, with 4 nervous laugh, II was
dreaming, al | my own face in the
fountain alarmed me"
The Moor eyed him closely. at is