The Sauk Centre herald., 1909-12-02


house in Paris. He was an oriental,
she told herself, and he would not
parade his wife as the Feringhis did.
But she was one. too, and she consid-
cred that it would be an insult to ask
him about such things. Spiro knew,
no doubt, but she could not demean
herself to inquire of a servant. Per
haps Gula had found out already, for
the girl had a way of finding out
whatever she wanted to know, ap
parently by explaining things to the
second mate. Possibly Gula could be
made to tell what she had learned
without being directly questioned.
But after all, Baraka decided that 1t
did not matter since she meant to
marry the fair-beard as soon as she
had her pretty clothes. Yet she be-
came conscious that if he had not ex-
listed, she would think it very salts
factory to marry the great man
who could do anything he liked.
though II he had a wife already, as
he probably had, she would refuse to
be the second in his house. The
Koran allowed a man four, it was
said, but the idea was hateful to her,
and moreover the Persian merchants
wife had told her that it was old fash
ioned to have more than one, mainly
because living had grown so expen.
sive.
Logotheti sat beside her for hours
under the awnings, talking or not, as
she chose, and always reading when
she was silent, though he often looked
up to see If she wanted anything. He
told her when they left Naples that
he would show her beautiful islands
and other sights, and the great fire.
mountains Of the south, Etna and
Stromboli, which she had heard of on
her voyage to Marseilles, but had not
seen because the steamer had passed
them at night. The fire-mountain at
Naples had been quiet, only sending
out thin wreaths of smoke, which Ba.
raka insisted came from fires made by
shepherds.
Moreover" she said, as they
watched Vesuvius receding when they
left Naples, "your mountains are not
mountains, but ant-hills, and 1 do not
care for them. But your sea has the
colors Of many sherbets, rose-leaf and
violet, and lemon and orange, and
sometimes even of pale yellow peach
sherbet, which is good. Let me al
ways see the sea till the fine dresses
are ready to be tried on"
This sea-" answered Logotheti, 'is
always most beautiful near land and
amongst islands, and the big fire.
mountain of Sicily looks as tall as
Kasbek, because it rises from the wa
ter's edge to the sky" D
Then take me to it, and will tell
you, for my eyes have looked on the
Altai, and wish to see a real noun
tain again. After that we will go back
and get the fine dresses Will Gula
know how to fasten the fine dresses at
the back, do you Think
You shall have a woman who does.
and who can talk with Gula, and the
two will fasten the fine dresses for
you" Logotheti spoke with becoming
gravity.
Yes" Baraka answered. Spend
money for me, that may be good to
see. Also, I wish to have many serv-
ants. My father has hundred, per-
haps thousand, but now have only
two, Gula and Spiro. The man seek
will think I am poor, and that will be
shame. While l was searching for
him, it was different: and besides, you
are teaching me how the rich Franks
live in their world. 1t is not like ours.
You know, for you are more like US,
though you are king here"
She spoke slowly and lazily, paus-
Ing between her phrases, and turning
her eyes to him now and then without
moving her head; and her talk amused
him much more than that of European
women, though it was so very simple,
like that of gifted child brought
suddenly to new country, or to see
a fairy pantomime.
Tell me-" he said after a time. "If
it were the portion of Kralinsky to be
gathered to his fathers before you
saw him, what would you ~do?"
Baraka now turned not only her
eyes to him but her face.
r'Why do you ask me this? Is it be-
cause he is dead, and you are afraid
to tell me?"
HE was alive this morning." Logo
theft answered, "and he is a strong
man. But the strong die sometimes
suddenly, by accident if not of a
fever"
'1t is emptiness" said Baraka, still
looking at him. 'He will not die b.
fore see him."
Allah forbid! But if such a thing
happened. should you wish to go back
to your own people? Or would you
learn to speak the Frank and live in
Europe?"
IF he were dead, which may Allah
avert" Baraka answered calmly, Il
think would ask you to find me
husband"
"Ah." Logotheti could not repress
the little exclamation of surprise.
"Yes. 1t is a shame for woman
not to be married. Am an evil sight,
or poor, that I should go down to the
grave childless? Or is there any re-
proach upon me? Therefore / would
ask you for a husband, because /
have no other friend but only you
among the Feringhis. But if you
would not / would go to CONSTANT