The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1909-10-21


though If he had a wife already, as
he probably had, she would refuse to
De the second in his house. The
Koran allowed a man four, 1t was
said, but the idea was hateful to her
and moreover the Persian merchants
wife had told her that it was old fash
Toned 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 nv
shepherds.
Moreover" she said. as they
watched Vesuvius receding when thew
left Naples, your mountains are not
mountains, but ant-hills, and I 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. sis
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"
Then take me to it, and I will tell
you, for my eyes have looked on the
Altai, and I wish to see a real noun.
tain again. After that we will 60 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 l may be good to
see. Also, l wish to have many sery-
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
a 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 a gifted child brought
suddenly to a new country, or to see
a fairy pantomime.
Tell me-" he said after a time eff
1t were the portion of Kralnsky to be
gathered to his fathers before Won
saw him, what would you do?"
Baraka now turned not only her
eyes to him but her face.
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, land he is a strong
man. But the strong die sometimes
suddenly, by accident if not of a
fever"
1T is emptiness" said Baraka. st,ll
looking at him. He will not die be-
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 l would ask you to find me
husband
All" Logotheti could not repress
the little exclamation Of surprise.
Yes. 1t is a shame for a woman
not to be married. Am an evil sight,
or poor, that ! should go down to the
grave childless? Or is there any re-
proach upon me? Therefore l would
ask you for a husband, because
have no other friend but only you
among the Feringhis. But if you
would not, l would GO to CONSTANT
nople again, and to the Persian mer-
chants house, and l would say to his
wife: Get me husband, for l am
not a cripple, nor monster, nor is
there any reproach upon me, and why
should / be childless?' Moreover
would say to the merchants wife:
Behold, / have great wealth, and l
will have rich husband, and one who
is young and pleasing to me, and who
will not take another wife; and if you
bring me such a man, for whatsoever
his riches may be, will pay you five
per cent"
Having made this remarkable state
ment OF her intentions. Baraka was
silent expecting Logotheti to say
cnpnafbip1 l.