The daily morning Alaskan., 1902-07-31
/ AT THE f;
, SULTAN'S {
/ COUCH 4?
b. Clinton DanferBold


osoS0sosososooaoSoeososOSO
The sultan rolled over on his couch
Of silk. As be faced his anxious at
tendants the glare IN his eyes made
,hem fall back ms though he had struck
them with the scimiter which always
lay within his reach.
-Allah sent you all a. a plaguer' he
said aercely. Here have lain three
mortal hours and sleep comes not near
mine eyes Higher with the lights
foolsl Can a man rest with shadows
hanging over himr
The tights shone more brilliantly
while the rulers eyes searched jealous
" in every corner. Suddenly he sat up.
Fetch me that Christian page who
was brought to the palace yesterday
weary Of the eternal sameness OF your
cacesr' ...
The grand viEler. whose ife was i'm
Filtered beyond words by his master's
liking FOR his presence went himself
70 seek the boy, wondering "a he went
how much longer be could attend to
anairs OF state II be was expected TO
keep awake all night a. well
A velvet footed eunuch brought him
quickly to the pages side The boy
slept peacefully. although the tears be
shed IN praying over the little cottage
be called home were scarcely dry on
bis cheeks
The vizier woke him. not urgently.
sooth to say. be felt some pity for this
blue eyed lad. and. moved by a kindly
Impulse. be helped the page 20 dress
and took his hand as they hurried
through the long. dlmly lighted CORR
doris.
The sultan sim sat up. clutching his
covering around him and reminding
the vizier most unpleasantly OF sullen
Wild boar IN his lair. solitary, misera-
BILE. but infinitely dangerous The VI
zier shivered inwurdly as be presented
the page.
Leave the boy alone with mer'
growled bis master. Are you para
lyzed. you sons Of idiocy that you DO
not move when speakT'
This last sentence cleared the room
Instantly, although the sultan bad new
er been 40 nearly alone before
His two gigantic guards, who slept
az the foot OF his bed. went last, their
uaked scimiters cleaning In their
hands. The door closed noiselessly.
The page knelt quietly near the cen
ter OF the room. the light from the
swinging lamps fun upon him. His
eyes were resting undisturbedly on the
sultan
Rise and come herer growled the
ruler hoarsely. The page rose, and. TO
the sultan's establishment he walked
confidently 70 the couch and, seating
himself on H. passed his slim. cool IN
gers over the rulers brow.
How very hot and uncomfortable
you arer' he said thoughtfuIly. you've
almost got a fever, but your face IL
worst OF all"
whats the matter with my faeer
demanded the sultan. considerably tax.
en- aback
cts quite wrinkled with trouble.
lust like fathers Ia before mother
smooths II away for him. This IL the
way abe does H."
He was 30 small and the mighty
ruler 30 large that be had TO kneel on
the coverings TO reach bis masters
forehead. but bis touch produced a 10
markable effect The suitHn sank back
on his pillows and lay quite SIN rUR
nearly fifteen minutes, while the strok-
ing went on
Outside the door kneit the grand
vizler. looking carefully through the
keyhOle. too amazed to report the 10
suit OF his observations 10 the officers
behind him.
What makes you think trouble put
those lines IN my faeer asked the sui
tan.
Il don't know how know II" said
the page perpleIedly. but I do You
see, when they took me away from
mother and brought me to the palace
thought you would be just perfectly
happy. But you look IKE the old rug
maker near US did when the soldiers
broke his loom TO pieces"
The sultan grinned his lip curling
upward. after the fashion Of a wolf.
Would that my vizler cnuld hear thee
nay complimentsl But my loom Is not
broken. and woe unto those who at
tempt Il! Thou seest the splendor OF
my palacer
'You have more things than any one
could count" said the page reflective
ly. what a good time your boys must
haver'
The sultan scowled His heir ap-
parent was in the depths OF a toad In
tested dungeon. while his other sons
trembled daily for their heads Il
don't talk OF them" be muttered. I'm
grateful bounds they arer Then he
added hastily. by way OF changing the
subject: -Your inHdel sect cings to
its holes which Il calls homes There
fore. suppose, your mother shrieked
and screamed when they brought you
away"
Two round. hot tears splashed down
from the pages eyes upon his masters
beard The vlEier distinctly saw them