The San Francisco call., 1908-03-15


Trey were skillfal with their hands.
though they were stin so young. and
she let them DO what she thought she
needed. and lay down al last. 10 be COW
cred and tucked in as warmly and COM
fortably as when Kyria Agatha used
10 pu1 her 70 bed. bsfor.s the boys had
been born and had taken her place
In few minutes the little maids had
put out the lamp. leaving only the small
light IN the bath. then they noiselessly
deToured all the sweetmeats left on the
table. after which they curled them
selves Up OF the carpet under their
blankets and weEs asleep ii moment
Ike young animals
For a few moments Zoe still tried TO
think. tired though she was, she hated
herself for being able 10 rest in such
comfort while Kyria Agatha was per
haps awake under her pile OF rags. ard
Sectaria was hugging the straw 10
keep little warmth in her old body
But then she thought OF the morrow.
and OF ali that Nectaria would do with
the gold for the sick woman and the
little boys and in this soothing rsfsc-
ton she Was borne softly away out OF
this world OF slavery. through the ivory
gates OF the infinite gardens OF dream
land
She was walked BY the sunshine
streaming into the room through the
window. and as she opened her eyes
sh.s saw the iron bars and remembered
where she was She sighed. for she
had been happy in her sleep. The girls
were sitting cross legged on the carpet.
side by side. al a little distance. silently
awaiting her pleasure.
While sh.A was rejecting. and wishing
all the time that she might have news
OF kyria Agatha during the day, tbs
big key moved in the Persian lock The
Two girls sPrans 20 their feet and stood
IN a respectful attitude Zoe turned her
eyes as she heard the sound. the door
opened and the negress' flaming head
appeared IN the sunlight She saw that
Zoe was awake and she entered the
room. shutting the door behind her She
greeted her valuable prisoner in the
half familiar. half obS.squiOus tone she
had adopted from the first. asking how
she had slept and whether the little
maids had done their duty. The latter
question was accompanied BY a fierce
look az the two girls. Zoe answered
that they were most skillfui and well
behaved The negress looked AZ the re-
mains Of the supper on the table.
so the Kokona Arethusa is fond OF
sweetmeats. she observed She eats
only a mOuthful from one bird and AL
the sugar plums.
Zoe was on the point OF uttsring an
exclamation Of surprised denial. when
she met the terrified eyes OF the two
slave girls and checked herself with
smile.
I am very fond Of sweets she an
swered. careiessly.
The black woman seemed satisfied
ana turned from the table. She opened
the wardrobe next and selected what
she considered the haldsOmest OF the
dresses that lay folded on the shelves
within Zoe watched her curiouslv
She unfolded garments OF apple green
silk, and one Of peach eolOred Persian
velvet embroidered with silver. with q
sash Of plated green silk and gold
threads The two girls took the things
from her and laid them out
surely" Zoe said. you do not wish
ne 10 wear these clothesy
They are very good clothes OBJ
served the negress. coaxingly- Look
at this velvet cOatl There are even
seed pearls IN the embroidery, and IL IS
quite new and fresh ny husband
bought Il from the Blachernae palace.
when Handsome joan was Imprisoned
It belonged 10 one OF the favorite
ladies' The slaves who ran away stole
all the things and sold them
would rather wear something
palmer" said Zoe. Sut at the mention
OF The captive emperor her brown eyes
had grown very dark and hard and her
voice almost trembled-
-kokona Arethusa must look her best
this morning" objected Gallabfs wife.
she viii receive visit"
Zoe started a little and insrinctively
drew the bed clothes Up TO her chin.
ALREADY, she exclaimed in a low
voice.
The negress grinned from ear to ear.
The kakona VIII perhaps not spend
another night under our humble roof"
she said 4 do not know anything GER
tain as YET because the customer has
not seen you." she continued more
Iamiharly. but Gullabi has consulted
aE-rr4l1rar urh 80
fortunate days for our buying and our
selling So / do not doubt that the
customer viii be pleased with your
looks. KOkcna. for indeed. though do
aot wish 10 hatter you. we have not
entertained such a eeauty IN our mod
est home for a long time"
What sort Of person is the Gus
e t0ner2 Dc you know who she is7~
She asked the question quietly. but
q she held her breath as she waited for
I the reply.
a I forget his name answered the
n negress after a moments thought He
: is a foreigner. rich young merchant
2 who lives in a five house by the Golden
d Horn
4 so the astroIoger says that I shall
be sold today" she observed with an
; afectation Of carelessness. though her
L heart was sinking and she felt a little
% sick rs ne a great astrologer-
s He is Gullabfs friend Gorlias Pic
= trogliant." answered the negress. who
u was turning over certain fine linen in
: the wardrobe Yes he is a good star
Il gazer. especially for merchants. He is
= very poor but many have grown rich
T through consulting him.
She found what she wanted and held
Z up a beautifully embroidered garment
o Of linen as fine as q web.
o And II you are SO fortunate as TO go
to the rich merchants house" she add
ed -you may win favor OF him BY tell
le ing him 10 consult Gorlias about his af-
le fairs whenever he is in doubt"
l. "Goriias Zoe repeated the name.
r for she had never heard it
e -Gorlias PietrOgliant. who lives near
d the church OF Saint Sergius and SAINT
1t Bacchus- Every one in that quarter
, knows him.
q I shall remember. Zoe said
She understood at last why Gullabi
n had been in the habit OF going often 10
sr that church. where she had beer kneel-
II ing in a dark corner when he had 7rSr