Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-12-21

nothing further to work upon and they
preferred TO make the pleasure last as
long as possible. For us, to whom the
hours of the day are all too short, to
accomplish the amount OF work we
have to do, 1t seems wonderful that
these women can endure such idleness
and be happy.
After while refreshments were
served, consisting Of fruit and Hull
wahsone," delicious sweetIneat,
brought from Cabul, which is much en-
joyed by the natives, and baskets Of
which they insisted upon our taking
home with u.s. When we had done jus
toe to these good things the ladies
again crowded round olamoring for
stories which Miss Cook was In the
habit OF relating to them. Today she
narrated the history Of the birth OF
Christ, telling In what manner we
should celebrate the event the following
day They appeared very much inter-
eSted in the story OF "the Christian
God" as they called Him, and made her
repeat 1t several times as II never tired
Of hearing It. While she was talking |
had time to take further note Of our
surroundings.
In the center OF the room upon
dlyan, lounged an extremely beautiful
woman but she carried herself with an
air OF haughtiness which detracted, in
my eyes, somewhat from her grace.
This was the favorite Rance, or queen
Of the raiah; so great was her influence
with him that the rest gave her the IT,
tie OF Maharanee, or Great Rance al
though there were three other wives
equal in rank with herself. Near the
entrance of the conservatory l
noticed an ayah seated upon
the floor with baby upon her knee.
Beside her, playing with the child, sat
a young girl Of about II years OF age
whose face Immediately attracted my
attention. She was dressed IN pure
white, even the edge OF her chuddah, or
/ veil, was devoid of even border. She
! also wore no ornaments, n marked con-
trast to the rest Of the ladies, who had
! them not only In their ears, and upon
their arms and fingers, but upon their
toes, and ankles, and even on a gold
! ring through their nostrlls
! Her face wore evidence OF remarkable
| intelligence, and as she laughed, and
talked, with the little one, the variation
! OF her expression was wonderful to be-
hold once she turned, but catching
sight OF the Maharanee, her face as
| sumed a look Of such fierce hatred, that
thrill OF horror ran through my veins
Here was a girl, thought, that should
her life be spared, would grow into an
influential woman, In spite Of the mar
rowness OF her sphere, and q powerful
instrument for good, or evil, as the cir
cumstances Of her life should mould
her. While Miss Cook was talking. she
still sat apart, playing with the baby
but noticed that not word escaped
her, naturally concluded that she was
young mother and this her first
born, and thought what beautiful pic
ture they presented,
After awhile Miss Cook suggested
that as this was my first visit the ladies
should take me to see their apartments
! proposal which gave me much pleas
ure. Certainly the rajah spared no eA-
pense, to make the habitation OF the
feminine portion OF his household, "a
beautiful, as possible. At every turn
expressions OF admiration burst from
my lips, and the ladies were no less de-
lighted than TO see my enjoyment
1t seemed 10 me though that the pal
ace was more like large hotel than a
private dwelling place, for not only was
this the home OF the rajah, and his
family. but OF his brothers, and oven
his uncles, and their families. The wo-
men, however, all inhabited this side OF
the palace, though occupying different
suites OF rooms. but they We're constant
ly In social intercourse one with an
other.
In spite Of the elegance Of the drap-
cries and furniture, ] could not but feel
amused. to sea articles in daily use In