Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-24


Il know that; but which of my dresses brings out
the most of my charms You know l am to see
Haleb Bey to-day-here in my palace with all his
family
The girl enjoyed the effect her words produced.
Tsatsar-ab-harlem shocked as Rhasneh in
her most advanced frame of mind could have hoped
for.
Yes. yes, he isl" the girl repeated HE is
coming, and you had better hurry up and tell me
what to wear"
Tsatsar-ab-harem frightened visibly Surely
her mistress did not much for the big Amer
lcan if she took such interest in dressing for his
rival; Tsatsar- ab-harlem was no psychologist;
also had she always been plain and unattractive to
herself.
To decide the great question of the Clothes it be-
came necessary to put them all on, and choose be-
tween them in fair competition This was no light
matter and took several hours, with the help of an
interested bevy of slaves. Finally against the
advice of all spectators, Rhasneh decided to wear
2omegranate blossoms. Rubies and amethysts
bedecked her hair and throat, and when she was
ready for the expected visit her eyes looked tragic
ally dark, and her hair like night
Like all of the noble Mussulnan women Rhasneh
had been taught how to be gracious and charming.
Qn her benghted nation charm is rated higher than
mathe1natlcs) She had promised her father to be
courteous to Haleb Bey; she willing to be
fascinating.
After Haeb Bey's mothers and sisters and aunts
and their slaves had all into the big reception
room clad in their best, it looked like garden of
brilliant flowers, vivid and many colored were the
costumes: 1t may be that they endeavored to dis
tract their minds from the peculiar and shocking
aspect of the coming interview by trying to outshne
each other in their raiment.
When their hostess appeared, murmur of
admiration ran from lip to lip. "Mashalah,
Mashallah!' all exclaimed they bowed.
Rhasneh gracefully kissed the hands of the
women, and took her seat on a pillow on the
floor. The Others followed her example. Her
little feet were neatly tucked under her, her
green and red slippers, embroidered with gems,
being slipped off and placed in front of her. And
q in front of every other woman reposed her slip
IA perS larger smaller, as Providence
"a had ordained.
B Rhasneh clapped her hands, and the slaves
~ came in bringing refreshments Though it was
n the month of Ramazan the had set, and
Il the fasting Moslem world could feast.
E Other slaves, their hands crossed on their
"a breasts, followed the first and helped to serve
~ from the trays borne by the Others.
4 Yet there was that in the air which told that
"A this was no ordinary visit, and this tensity
VI increased as the minutes brought the
II arrival of the men.
They announced. The women threw
their wells over their heads, Rhasneh being COW
cred from head to foot, like bride.
Takshan Pasha came first, followed by Osnan
Pasha, and then by Haleb Bey. The last
at a decided disadvantage, in his European
clothes, beside the flowing robes of the older
men. Still he undeniably handsome.
Takshan Pasha walked with great soemnity
to his daughter, and raised her to her feet; the
green and red slippers were slipped her feet
as if by magic. Instantly the other women
rose too.
Haleb Bey," said the old man in husky voice,
"this is Hanum Rhasneh, my only daughter.
whose beauty and virtues well known to your
here" He drew the veil from the girls
face and left her standing thus before the young
man. In the name of Allah and his Prophet, she
is your .wife!
The bejeweled little hands of Rhasneh were
clasped together, and her eyes were downcast.
Slowly she raised her gaze to Haeb Bey. Under
their long black ashes the violet eyes looked straight
at him, while slight smile permitted the 'dmples
to appear her cheeks. She stood there before all
of them if she for sale; still she enioyed it.
She knew that she was beautiful SO beautiful that