The San Francisco call., 1908-03-29

All sorts OF confused thoughts crowd
cd her brain, as Zeno sat down on
seat beside the divan, She wondered
what would happen If she told him
her story in few words and appealed
TO his generosity. She guessed that he
was kind, At least, sometimes But
perhaps he was a friend of the new
emperor and it would please him to
know that he had bought Michael
Rhangabe's daughter. Or he might
send for Gullabi and insist on revoking
the bargain. and Gullabi might take
her back to the beggars' quarter, and
force poor Kyria Agatha to give up the
money. Zoe knew at once little and
much Of the world of Constantinople,
but of one thing she was certain, there
would be neither money nor kindness
for any Of her name while Andronicus
reigned in Blachernae.
She was terrified by the presence of
her master, but she was perfectly
brave in her resolve; the sight of
death itself before her eyes should not
make her do anything whereby those
for whom she had sold herself might
suffer
Zeno sat still and looked at her. 1t
seemed to him that she was far more
beautiful than he had at first realized.
AS she leaned sideways against the
big cushions turning her face away
and her shoulder toward him, there
was something in the line of her cheek
and of her neck where 1t Joined the
ear, and in the little downy ringlets
at the roots of her hair that stirred
his blood. against his will. Also, the
devil came and whispered to his heart
that she was his personal property as
much as his horse, his house and his
stores of merchandise. He might kill
her, IL he liked. in any way he chose,
and the law would not call it murder.
There would be one slave less. and he
would have thrown away 400 gold
ducats. but that would be all.
For long time the man and his
slave were silent and scarcely moved
and, neither OF them afterWard forgot
those minutes. In their thoughts each
was struggling with what seemed an
impossibility, a something which could
never be done. The high born girl, for
the sake of a mother who was not her
mother, and Of brothers who were not
of her blood, was resolved to be to
the end what she had made herself to
save their lives, the obedient slave of a
merchant who paid gold for her 1t
was worse than death, but if she did
not die of it, she must live through It,
lest the good she had done should be
undone again.
The man who had the laws own
right of life and death over her. and
stirred so profoundly, chose to resist
and play that he was not the master
after ALL
At last, wondering at the stiffness.
hah believing and quite hoping that
he was no longer in the room. Zoe
turned her head. His eyes were on her.
but there was something in them that
she could not fear.
Tell me who you are" he said
quietly
She waited a moment before she
spoke.
You know what l am, can tell YOU
nothing more, my lord. Can a slave
voice.
I do not believe that you were born
a slave" said Zeno. leaning forward
little and looking into her eyes.
After a moment her lids drooped
under his gaze. but she would not
speak
Have you nothing to say?" he asked,
disappointed at her silence.
Again the temptation seized her to
tell him all, sinceshe spoke so kindly;
but still she thought of what might
happen to Kyria Agatha
i am your bought slave" she said
almost directly. Il have nothing else
to tell.''
But you had a mother?"
Il never knew her"
Your father, them"
I never knew him"
Zeno was not always patient even
with women, and there was no reason
why he should be forbearing with his
own property.
Il do not believe YOU" he said in a
tone of annoyance, and he rose and
began TO pace the room
Now it chanced that Zoe had been
able to answer his last two questions
quite truthfully, for she had not the
least recollection of her own father
and mother, who had died of the
plague when she was months ole.
Il will swear to you on all holy
things that it is true" she said watch
ing him.
He made an impatient gesture.
"A slave cannot take an OATH" he
answered roughly.
Zoe lifted her beautiful head at once
and her eyes shone; but he did not
see, for he had turned his back on her
in his walk, and a moment later she
resumed her former submissive attitude
Zeno stopped near the door and
slapped his hands; the two maids ap-
peared.
Bring supper" he said
AS they went to obey he came back
and sat down again beside the divan
There was Just room to place a small
table between him and Zoe. The girls
came back and waited on them. h,t
neither spoke. zeno prepared a salad
himself with ingredients brought ready
for making It, and when it was dressed
he helped Zoe to little of ii. She
had watched him, for the italian Gus
tom was new to her and she had never
known how salad was composed
Zeno poured Greek wine into her glass
delicate white goblet from Murano
with faint blue lines round the stem
But she neither ate nor drank
Co." said Zeno to the maids. aT
will call you"
The two slipped away noiselessly
Zeno had forgotten his displeasure. and
he felt her presence again
You must eat and drink" he said
gently If there is anything you like,
tell me. You shall have tt"
You are kind" she answered. hut
she did not lift her hand sI have no
appetite" she added. after a little
pause.