The San Francisco call., 1906-09-23
TF7F TENTF7 CUSTOMER AND TTE PERSIAN RING

here we spike always Goot-
tay; do take dis to Alec
Il say called out Hagar has that
ring story?
What, dis? I no know. Him charm
against de Jim; but dats ALL Goot-
tay; l so queek to Alec. Goot-tay."
He went away with the ring on his
finger. leaving Hagar disappointed that
the strange jewel with its golden let
ters had not some wild tale attached TO
IT. However, the ring was gone, and
she never expected to hear anything
more OF it, or of the two Persians.
week passed, and no Alec made his ap-
pearance; so Hagar concluded that ev-
erything was right. and that he had
really sent Mohommed TO redeem the
ring. on the eighth day of it's redemp-
tion she was undeceived. for Alec him
self made his appearance in the shop
Hagar was surprised to see him.
The poor man looked III and his
brown face was terribly lean and worn
in its locks. An expression of anxiety
lurlSed in his soft black eyes and he
could hardly command his voice as he
asked her TO give him the ring. The
request was so unexpected that Hagar
could only stare at him in silence. 1t
was a moment or so before she could
find words.
The ring: she said. IN tones of as
constituent. why. you have it. Did
not your friend Mohohmed give it.
~Mohommed." cried Alec, clenching
his hands; and the next moment he had
fallen insensible on the outer floor of
the shop The single mention OF the
name of Mohommed in connection with
the ring had stricken the poor Persian
to the heart His entrance his be-
havior his fainting-all three were un-
expected and inexplicabie.
Recovering from her first surprise,
Hagar ran to the assistance OF the
fallen man. He was soon revived by
the application OF cold water, and when
he could rise Hagar. like the good Sa-
maritan she was conducted him into
the back parlor and made him lie down
on the sofa But more than ordinary
weakness was the matter with the
man; he was suffering from want of
food and told Hagar family that he had
eaten nothing for two days. AT once
the girl set victuals before him and
warmed some soup to nourlsh him.
Alec ate sparingly but well. and al
though he refused to touch wine. as a
follower Of the Prophet. he soon be-
came stronger and more cheerful. His
gratitude 10 Hagar knew no bounds
You are as charitable as Fatima. the
daughter OBJ our Lord Mohommed.y said
he. gratefully. ..and your good deed, il
viii be talked ob by de angel Gabriel
on de las day
How is IT you are so poor?s asked
Hagar. restive under this praise
All lady. dat is one big, long story"
Connected with the ring?"
Yes, yes; dat ring would haf mate
me reech." replied the Persian. with
sigh; but now dat weeked one, viii git
my moneys. Aha. said Alec, furious
ously. dat dohommed is de son oh a
burnt fazzer
He is scoundrel certainly, How
he get the pawn ticket?
He took ii away when / M
Why did he want the ring?"
Alec reflected for a moment and then
he evidently made up his mind what
course TO pursue 4 weeI tell you.
lady" he said. looking with thankful
eyes at Hagar You haf been good to
me. \ weel tell you de stcEy OBJ my
Iife-ob de ring"
Il knew that ring had some story
connected with it," said Hagar COM
placently. Go on; am -all atten-
ton"
The Persian obeyed forthwith but,
as his English was imperfect at times,
it will be as well to set forth the story
in the vernacular. Being still weak, it
took Alec some time to tell the whole
tale. but Hagar heard him patiently
ts thesend. His narrative was not with
-out interest.
Il was born in Ispahan,' said the
Persian in his grave voice. and 1 am
a Mirza--whst you call here prince
in my own country. Ny father was an
Officer OF the Shah's household and very
wealthy. When he died I. as his only
son. Inherited his wealth I was young
rich and not at all bad looking, so
expected to lead a pleasant life. The
Shah, who had protected my father,
continued the sun of his favor to me,
and accompanied him to the court at
Teheran. where ] speedily became high
in his favor. But alas!': added Alec in
the fiowery language of his country,
soon did 1 cover the face OF pleasure
with the veil of mourning and ride
the horse of folly into the country of
sorrow" He paused, and then added
with a sigh: Her name was Aycsha,
"Ah'" said Hagar, the cynic. Il was
waiting to hear the name of the woman
She ruined you. I SUPPOSE
she and another" sighed Alec,
stroking his beard. 4 melted like wax
in the flame of her beauty. and my
heart turned TO water at the glance of
her eyes. She was a Georgian. and
fairer than the chief wife of sulieman