The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1914-04-27
other would have done as we'll. and

challengingly.
"A saddier? We know nothing OF
any saddler. At least, not In this
natter
The speakers tones were earnest
and calculated to carry conviction.
The dervish regarded him more close
ly.
"Dcign to do as we ask" the man
went on eagerly. and l promise You
will be well treated. Are you hun
gry?"
Am II" In spite OF himself tho
dervish's voice was eager. "why?"
Because ] know OF little cafe
near which has u cook worthy OF n
place at the Prophets right hand.
where may he had kawurmeh--such
n stew!-cabob roasted on skewers.
fish dressed with oil, boned fowl
stuffed with pistachio nuts
.'But the price?"
I'VE pay"
"you pay him. How do pay you?"
"Oh. that Is a small matter. Wen
talk about II over the good things to
eat"
ia rather talk about 1t before eat
them"
Here's q very honest fellow in
deed" And one Of the intruders nod
ded approval to his companion.
Truly. we are lucky to have found
HIM" asscnted the other.
'Or some one else is lucky"
"Some one else. Of coursc.'
The dervish waited. There IL
slight servicc-a very slight one--you
can perform In return for all we are
going to do for you," said the spokes-
man softly.
What is 1T"
Get married. That is ALL
"All! What manner OF Jest Is this?"
ut is no Jest. You are to get mar
ried and yet not get married. II is
very simple. You marry and then YOU
unmarry. You have only to say
divorce YOU three times In the pres
ence OF witnesses"
divorce made easy!" Ironically.
at is the law"
1.-THE Mohammedan law--yes."
What know we of any other?" In
surprise.
"Truc." Hastily. But why am l
to get married?'
"To meet a little exigency."
"Oh." The dcrvish studied more
closely his visitor. lie was "A portly
man. well-to-do shopkeeper. no
doubt And his companion resembled
him as one pea is like unto another
"When am ] to get married.
ITO morrow"
"Whom am I going to marry?
"a lady Of quality"
"Old?"
"YounE."
"As an houri!" This lime 1t was a
duet: both visitors spoke AT the same
moment and their voices were as one.
The dervlsh frowned. AN houri!
You might. at least. have made her
ugly"
They noticed this evidence OF dis
pleasure on his part. not altogether
with disapproval. Obviously TINS
dervish was so holy that the younger
and more attractive woman was
the more he disliked the thought or
her. "Allah has, indeed. guided us to
the right one" murmurcd the spokes-
man. And then to the dervish: What
matters II to you II she ~ beautiful!
The marriage Is only one or form. she
will not modest YOU"
"But why is this marriage neces-
sary?"
II will explain. We have the hon
or to serve Amad Ali Masr. the ar
fluent jeweller and merchant whose
palace overlooks this place. Now
short time past. my friend, benefactor
and patron, Amad took unto himself
the fairest OF her sex. Such "A gala
occasion! There were almas and sing
ers and entertainments without num-
Der. Never did n wedding open more
auspiciously or end more DISASTROUS
ly. For. though devoted TO nor lord,
the lady was young and
They clashed." said the dervish
with yawn.
unfortunately. she being both
young and innocent, to-day thought
lessly said. did or thought something
that disturbed the beneticcnt temper
OF our illustrious patron. Then, In
an inadvertent moment, he SUM
moned witnesses. and thrice. In
solemn manner. declared the triple
divorce. which is divorce. indeed;
"'Solemn mannor'?" The dervlsh's
tone expressed amusement. but
proceed. He declared thrice before
witnesses I divorce you. That con-
stitutes, without doubt. a legal sep
aration. According to the law Of tho
Prophet. whose WILL" bowling cere-
moniously. "is that OF Allah. the lady
In no longer married to your friend.
the rich diamond merchant. How
did she relish this new-found free
dom that was so unceremoniously
thrust upon her"
she wspt copiousiy."
''What?"
AS IL her heart would break"
with a mournful shake OF the head.
'lndeedY' dryly. Ihat, no uouoI
accounts for tho sound Of waiiins
waited even here"
They looked at him suspiciously'
"She wept after she realized fully
what she had done"
"Oh. after" murmured the dervish,
well. why not? First scornfui
laughter, then tears!" lie waved his
hand airily. "Go on"
AT the spectacle OF her grief the
tender heart OF the merchant melted
almost at once, and he regretted
what he had done, lie magnani-
mously forgave her as she knelt i'm
ploringly at his feet. He would even
have restored her TO her old place
and position. but alas there were
and are difficulties. The lady. az
divorcee. has been obliged. according
TO the law. to return to her own
home. and thence he may not bring
her until Well, you understand
quite, She must marry again and
he divorced from husband number
two before the law Of the Prophet
permits husband number one that
was. through remarriage. again 10
claim her All Of which is set forth
In tho Koran. chapter two. verse two
hundred and twenty-siX,"
"F,xactly," They nodded their M