Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-10

mo, yaOronm, you are to keep it yourself,
Rhasneh assured her.
1T is very beautiful, Hanum Rhasneh,
Xeny said by way of thanking her.
And you will bring me my answer soon,
will you not?" Rhasneh asked
Xenys face became troubled. How
to manage that" she ruminated, ESPECIALLY
if Mr.. Wer's letter is as big as yours?" Before
Rhasneh could think of pan Xeny had found
one herself She clapped her little hands.
81 shall pretend she cried that l have
forgotten how to open it, and must come back
to YOU to learn, and will put his letter inside
and bring it to you.
Xenys visit had perforce to be short. since
good part of the short afternoon was taken up
by the journey to and from Therapia. When
she was entering the door of her own home, on
her return, she met her father. He stopped to
kiss her. Although he had forbidden the men
ton of Chrysanthy's name since her elopement,
yet he seemed to have greater tenderness for
this little one, who was like miniature of the
lost daughter.
why, baby, what have you there?" he
asked as he felt the outlines of the box.
Xeny gave it to him, knowing that sooner
or later he must see it.
He took it and. examining it. went into the
library. MY child, where did you find this?'
he said sternly
"Hanum Rhasneh gave it to me-" Xeny
answered TREMENDOUSLY. She already loved the
beautiful box dearly.
What is it, my friend'" Madame Mavro-
Her husband silently handed her the box,
and madame's practised eyes recognized the
value of it Immediately.
There must be some mistake she said.
Run up to your room, Xeny." her father
ordered her. " and shall return this to Takshan
Pasha tomorrow with note
Xeny stood petrifed. Her active magma
ton at once saw Takshan Pasha receiving the
box, putting his finger on the turquoise petal,
and finding the letter to Wier; and then,
f,rt 81. +ta A,,,a~ -ho~
American. and Rhasneh's-with a big stone
tied about his neck sinking in the waters of
the Bosporus. She clenched her little fists and
glared straight at her father:
Papa" she said, her childish voice trem-
bling with passion. you have right to
treat Hanum Rhasneh so disrespectfully! If
you wish me, | can return the box myself and
tell her that you will not let me keep it. But
this box now is mine, and shall keep it up
stairs. and oh, papa! please do not do anything
which will make Hanum Rhasneh think you
do not know how to accept gift. Give me
my box, mdmdn!'
Madame Mavrocorthato gave Xeny her
casket, obeying a sign from her husband. and
the little girl marched out of the room, her
head high, though her heart was trembling.
When she was gone Mavrocorthato shook
his head. That child puzzles me-" he said
to his wife. She makes me treat her like an
equal ..,
minds me so much of Chrysanthy," she said
TREMENDOUSLY.
Madame, have forbidden that name being
mentioned in my presence!" her husband said.
Yet he too was continually reminded by
Xeny of the one he had decreed to be dead
to- him.
Meanwhile Xeny went up to her room.
clutching her box. She crossed herself three
times as Greek children do when they have
escaped a danger, murmuring. Thank the
skies that is over! / shall be glad when there
are no more letters"
AS she spoke the words her eyes fell on her
array of dolls on the couch, where the maid had
arranged them, and from them she glanced
down to the box in her hands "Ah! | have
it," she said.
Twice day Weir passed the house of his
Greek friends, and every time he might have
been observed looking eagerly up at the WIN
dow of the childrens nursery.
The next morning when he came by he
the largest doll he had given to Xeny, the one
she had named Rhasneh, sitting propped up
on the window ledge, and gazing steadfastly
down at him. The sight of the doll seemed to
change his plans. He stopped and took out
his watch 1t was not very early, and he rang
the door bell of the Mavrocorthatos' house.
Madame hurried down into the drawing room
to see him. You have something to tell me
about Chrysanthy?" she asked eagerly.
N-no, l have nothing" Weir stammered.
Il Just dropped in, as was passing. to see if