New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-03


their arms crossed After Haleb Bey had
slipped his fifth cup. he went back to playing
with his string of beads.
Haleb Bey was the only child OF his father
the twelve daughters his fathers seven wives
had given him for sisters counting for nothing
HaIeb Bey was spoiled. not only by his father
and his own mother but also by everyone of
the other SIX wives, who, disappointed at hav-
ing son of their own, fastened their affec-
tons on this viCariOuS child of theirs If II Is
harmful for a boy to be spoiled by one mother
how infinitely demoralizing must 1t be 10 be
spoiled 10y seven And Haleb Bey was a
young man who needed only one He was
twenty-five years of age now, and looked
thirty. What his mothers had begun, Paris
had completed And so one after another the
European houses closed their doors against him
upon his return from Paris. which seemed TO him
unjust. considering the idea of Christians he had
brought back with him from that capital.
The slaves removed the coffee utensils when
he Signfied that he had had enough. Presently
he Clapped his hands. and the slave Teappeared.
Send MuStapha to me, If he has come back"
Mustapha entered while his master was ex-
aiming himself in the mirror with a critical
ness that yet could find flaw. Unembar-
raised, the master turned 70 the man
Well. have you found out what | desired
to know"
Haleb Bey crossed both feet under him and
leaned forward Speak" he commanded.
Mustapha spoke as if reciting lesson learned
by rote: Fngl' sh::is,u. name, Stefan Veer:
American legation; Hotel Petala."
" Have YOU been watching him.
" Yes, Effendi"
ANY communication with Takshan Pasha's
daughter"
No. Efendi"
" Have YOU heard no rumors of him and
Hanum Rhasneh," Haleb asked jealously.
q" / have heard nothing that you had not
already told mt" he answered.
" HouseIn must be a fool. or thinks 10 Use
me as one" Haleb Bey growled 20 himself.
Then to Mustapha, Watch him closely, and
If anything happens 10 him
From Haleb Beys expression IL appeared
that he would not be InCOnSOlable. He nodded
To- end the interview and at once his eyes
again sought his image IN the looking glass
Was It likely that Hanum Rhasneh would de
| sire another man. when Haleb Bey was wait
ing for her,
A. Mustdpha was crossing the threshold he
fell ON his hands and knees, Frustrating himself
before the entering figure Of Haleb Bey's
father. Osnan PaSha had worried expression
| that seemed 70 give warrant to his unCerenoni-
Gus entrance, and without greeting he said TO
| Halcb Bey:
Have you heard the bad rumor, my SOM"
What rumor,' Haleb Bev asked. aSSuu-
ing his hardest and most uncoucerued air.
His sons manner did not tighten the troubles
OF OSman Pasha. &C. grieve to be the one to
tell 1t 10 YOU, he began. vet some one must.
Ii Is that Your future wife has an IutIdcl lover"
What have | TO do with II ?, Haleb Bev
asked with his SCornful manner. she Is not
my wife. Why don't YOU 60 10 her father"
Osman PaSha stared at his son. 4 lover
who could receive such news in such a way
was not one he vet had known Then he
shrugged his shoulders. though his tone as he
answered was not devoid of bitterness. " Her
father is receiving every day new marks Of
confidence from our Padishah' He bowed
low at the mention OF the Sultan.
Haleb Bey iusolcutly kept on smoking with
no sign of reverence 1t his masters name.
What of that2' he inquired.
" IL Is not easy, my son. To 60 TO a man who
stands so high with our master, another bow.
as Takshan PaSha. and ask HIM what he
means by deterring the marriage OF his daugh-
ter. and then to throw into his face the rumor
| have Just repeated 10 YOU
OSrndn Pasha had more than an mixing of
the kind OF life his son had led the last few
years and was desperately anxious for HIM
to settle down with some good wife He had
TejoICed when Haleb Bey had told him he
wished TO marry Hauum Rhasneh; but when
he heard OF the SUltau's heapiug favors ON
| Takshau Pasha, he knew quite as we'll as the
latter what that was likely To- mean in regard
10 his sons promised wife.
Halcb Bey Jlappci his hands, with the palm
OF one on the back OF the other, producing