Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-15

on any ShOpkeeper CrouChing in his den IN the
bazaars. He watched the Moor seat himself
and pulled at his white nlustache and eyed the
other curiously while waiting for him TO make
known the object of his visit. IIe not kept
long in doubt.
Mr.. Marshall the Moor said. Il have
come here to see you personally because IN my
country there are certain forms which OBJ
served on all such errands. First, | want to say
something of myself. | am OF very old family
in my country and am man OF almost I'M
limited means. can convince you OF both
these facts
He hestated for instant. and the Consul
ianguidly studied him as he sat in the embrace
Of an arm chair, erect and assured.
III take Your word for both them things,
Mr.. Buhammei, he said. What next
What do you want!
Il want to marry your daughter
THE HON. BOB sat up with jerk and
looked at the Moor with his mouth hanging
open and his eyes wide and amused He had
never thought that the Moor infatuation would
60 this far Then suddenly as he had sat up
he slapped his knee with his open hand, leaned
his head back, and gave a great believing
laugh. Buhammei half rose from his char. his
face flushed and his hands Clutching the arms
as if he had been offered unforgivable in
suit, then he bit his lip and waited.
Listen. Mr.. Buhanmei!' he said resurl-
ing his natural air. but still looking amused
Its impossbe Absolutely impossible!'
The Moor looked amazed and continued to
watch the Consul. who leaned over with his
left arm akimbo on his chair and his right fore
arm resting his thigh and supporting his
big shoulders, which were thrust forward.
e First, the family don count with me no.
how; it's always the man himself. Second. the
money amt no good because I've got more
than she any man she might marry or
all of us put together could ever spend. And
next. you can bet your boots that l wouldn't
let her marry you or any other dark skinned
m I 10
Buhammei sprang to his feet with his face
white and drawn but the Consul again waved
him back and drawled in his slow easy voice.
Hold on nowl Hold on. Don't get ex-
cited. l don't want 10 hurt your feelins you
know; but I've got TO make myself plain. I've
got to hand il to you from the shoulder SOS
you won't have any misunderstanding about
anything. Just wait till get through talkin'.
won't yOu!
Buhammei glared az him if he could not
understand. and then. appearing to think that
perhaps the big American was some new kind
OF species with which he was unacquainted,
dropped back. tense and waiting.
Il amt got nothin' against dark skinned
men," the Hon. Bob continued. and there's a
lot of EN- l admire and like; but don't be-
heve in mixin' up people whose complexlons
don't match fairly well. Marriage IS like
maxim a good team of horses they have to
look alike and be gated alike and keep their
heads turned together in the same direction all
the time, in the end they don't get nowhere
except to the open market, and after that they
amt no team. I've never played a black and
white span for favorites roadsters. But just
the same I'm not tellin you this to make you
think don't respect you and believe you're
just what you say you are, man OF good
family and with plenty of means.
Buhammei. though not quite compre-
hending the homely synonyms. and believing
that there was still ground for adjustment.
stared at him in perplexity, undecided whether
TO curb his anger or to advance other argu-
mentS.
You make grave mistake he said
slowly. You do not understand. | offer
your daughter an honorable position, and
more. can aid You in your own ambitions. |
shall have influence that will enable you to
gain all the things you have worked for.
The Consul smiled. but said nothing, and
shook his head at the hOpelessness of making
his visitor understand. Buharmeis face dark
ened.
Il take it you have no objection to my
faith and
Yes, have! II you want to know
and want TO have your feelin's hurt, III tell
you once for all | have got objections to Your
religion. Why, do YOU think I'd let my girl.
my little Charlie. that I've been father and
mother to. that I've brought up to be loved
and petted. be put into a den like a beast with
half a dozen other women, anyone of whom
would be equal TO her whether Oh. what's
the use in talkin about it? You can't have
her. That settles it,
Buhammei even then could have backed out