The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1912-04-04
THE ROSE
SCARF
A Tale of the Far
East
By cLARIssA MAcKlE

IL believe Mrs. Hanford has a tale to
unfold" observed that lady's husband
as he placed a chair for her.
"Goodv' exclaimed Professor Trayle
heartily. Now, Alex. spread the car
pet Of truth on the deck and let Mrs.
Hanford begin at once"
A little laugh ran around the group
Of sever friends touring the world on
the steamer Neptune. Each II had
had a story to relate concerning some
adventure encountered in quaint street.
noisy bazaar or primitive environs Of
foreign cities. Every night after din
ner the seven had gathered on deck
and in the moonlight had told stories
and exchanged opinions on many mat
tiers Of mutual interest.
The carpet of truth to which the
professor had referred was a precious
bit Of oriental carpet that Alexander
FELTON, had brought from a remote
Turkish province. and the Neptune sto-
~ tellers had each told his tale sitting
upon its breadth Of silken richness.
Now Mrs. Hanford removed her chair
% that she sat upon the carpet, and
the six listeners composed themselves
for an hours enjoyment.
"My story is about this rose colored
scarf began Mrs. Hanford, opening
one plump hand to display a crumpled
ball of pink silk and silver tissue. She
shook out the airy fabric, and it float
ed a shimmering length that seemed
woven of sunset and moonbeams. The
airy scarf undulated like a thing alive,
leaped at Arthur Clayton's eager. in
terested face and chung to it with a
caressing motion and then left him to
brush Mr.. Hanford's bronzed cheek.
to tweak the golden eyeglasses from
Professor Trayle's dignified nose and
finally to rumple Alexander Felton's
hair into untidiness. Then it settled
down in Mrs. Hanford's lap and was
quiet.
"The darling" cried Arthur Clayton
enthusiastically. with a dizzy look at
the pink scarf.
"Why, did you see her, too?" de-
manded the other three men in bewil-
dered chorus.
"Yes-you don't mean-I say. Mrs.
| Hanford, what sort Of Il Juggling game
is this?" Young Clayton stared first
at the rose silk scarf and then at Mrs.
Hanford's sensible. motherly face
above it.
You ought to explain it. Mary" as
sured her husband with some concern.
"What is it all about?" demanded
Miss Emeline Gray. the strong minded
aunt of Arthur Clayton. What has
happened to turn all of their heads?
I'm sure l saw nothing save a pretty
pink silk scarf. What did you see.
Madeline?'
II see IN eastern city. a beautiful
houri with a pink scarf on her head. a
space left for the eyes. trousers a la
Turk and gold coins hanging over her
forehead"
1--WE are missing the story. Pray,
begin, Mrs. Hunford." urged Miss
Gray practically.
Mrs. Hanford folded her hands over
the pink and silver thing in her lap
and fixed her eyes on the molten silver
track that led across the Mediterra-
mean to the rising moon.
This is the only secret l ever kept
from James," she said. not looking at
her surprised husband. when we
were in Cairo he was busy hunting
for scarabs to carry home to souvenir
loving friends. I was seeking gauze
scarts to take to the girls at home.
The dealer in scarfs had sold me
several beauties. and woven in each
II was some romantic story that the
willy old fellow invented as he went
along.
Zone Of the scarfs had belonged to
that daughter Of Pharaoh who found
young Moses among the bulrushes;
another Of apple green and seed pearls
had been the gift Of Antony to Cleo.
patra: a third one of black and gold
and crimson had jealousy and murder
for its setting.
"When he brought out this dream of
pink and silver l was skeptical at his
air Of exaggerated concern in handling
1t, at his respectful tone when speak.
ing Of it. Mt the almost fear in his
voice.
Madame. this Is the wedding scarf
Of the Princess Anem,' he murmured,
looking over his shoulder at the dark
interior Of his little shop. She had
a lover, Fedar by name, a handsome,
worthless scamp, of whom her respect
ed father strongly disapproved. There
was another lover. a prince Of royal
blood. who sought the hand of the
Princess Anem. and it was he who
brought to her this royalty beautiful
scarf.
1T much enhances the beauty of all
who wear it tenfold. but the Princess
Anem would have none of its magic.
for she was beautiful herself beyond
compare. so she flung the princes gift
back in his face, and-and tradition
says that the scarf turned to q lovely
woman who became the princes bride.
As for the foolish Princess Anem'-
the seller of scarfs turned his vener.
able head and inclined a listening ear
toward the rear of his shop. I looked
and thought l could make out a dim
shadowy whiteness. like the form of q
young girl clad in u flowing robe.
".As for the foolish Princess Anem.
n,o~n. ...H #.f -. ~