The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1914-04-27
IN THE EVENING WORLDS
By frederic S. Isham
-AuIhor Of "UNDER THE ROSE" Etc.

you see I have been true to my
promise. oh. Light Of Life"
She regarded the young man
hastily; her eyes. In which shons
suspicion. doubt and misgiving. fairly
bored Into him.
"Humph!" she muttered. Tn my
early days slave served on such &C.
Casions IN this; now because there
arc no slaves, owing to the cursed
Christians, we must go to the high =
ways and gather In Allah knows
whom"
II trust. madam" said the dervish.
politely ito make your daughter q
good husband"
WELL" she returned. souriy. "there
In no time TO look further. The guests
will soon be here. Follow"
lie obeyed. She walked IN n special
atmosphere Of venom all her own,
which seemed fairly to radiate from
her. When she spoke OF the cursed
Christians" her tongue was M II Ok
Eer-uppcd. A listener might divine
that she had a. much affection for
them az an adder for those II would
strike. Dominated by her presence.
ovcry nook and corner Of the silent
house suggested lurking pertls. II had
n mysterious. uncanny look. The derv-
ish glanced back toward the entrance
to the street. The door leading out
was now closed: the big black giant
Of a bowwab stood nearby like n guar =
dian presence suggestive OF those over
grown demons that act as outer sen
tinels to an Oriental temple.
wait" They had arrived ut a
small room. She spoke tho single
word, then vanished. The dyer. too,
had mysterlously disappeared. The
deverish, left alone, looked around
with "a slightly strained affection of
nonchalance. He strobe 10 the thros-
Light OF Life had turned the key on
tho outside when leaving. He was
a prisoner?
might beat his fists In vain on those
u mans well -remembered voice. some
where without. was waited to him.
Sadrs.-he would havo sworn Ia
the snddler's tones. What was he
doing there. unless? The dervisli
listened more attentively. holding his
breath. lilo was alone and yet tho
oognizance Of another presence. close
At hand. suddenly smote him. Al one
end OF the room was "A wooden screen
separating this cell or apartment
from another room: beyond wa
darkness.
he thought no heard a movement,
and caught q quick indrawn breath
He knew now some one he could moi
see was regarding him. looking him uT
and down, studying him. He could
almost feel that burning gaxe. I,
began to be most disconccrting. HI
salaained politely.
"Sir or Madam!" He used hi
most respectful form Of sanitation
though under his cloak hts hand
touched and closed on n hard handle
Take = good look" he said. bold.
ly, whoever you are!"
A faint breath Of perfume wat
waited toward him. II secmet
vaguely reaniniscent--he did not know
Of what. He heard another sound
n sigh and his face changed. 4
was no man who stood behind thu
screen. He found himself not 20 blast
M to DO incapable Of experiencing q
thrill.
Taking . peep ut your husband
to-be?" he laughed. "Woman's curl
osity! Wch what do you think OF
this piece Of masculine crcha ndise p
No answer. "Ffe! A wife who won't
talk" He had time for no more
The key again turned In the lock and
Light Of lAfe entered.
Come" she said. CURLY.
He went. In tho larger apartment
TO which he was conducted there were
number Of people and ne gazed al
them sharply. hut to his relief Sadi
tho Rsiddler. was not among the
gathering.
His bride wasn't there. She never
Is. for Mohammedan weddings are
conducted without her. She liz indis-
pcnsablo and yet dispcnsable. She II
present only In spirit; u wekcel. or
go-betwesn. answers for her. A sub
stitute voice docs tho consenting. The
guests arc spared tho brides bushes
IN tho weksel 10 usually too old and
hardened to supply the substitute
ones. The present ceremony was very
groom had never looked upon the face
OF his bride and presumably never
would. he was married fast and tight
lie couldn't have been married
tighter.
The go-between had announced: II
betroth to thee" etc. and he had an
swered Che was allowed To answer In
his own voice): II accept from thee.
etc. He had answered very we'll. with
just the right degree Of ardency-not
enough To have been considered do
corous. Then some one murmursd:
NOW may the blessing'--- and the
trick was done Those present con-
tinued 10 chant verses from thu
Koran. They were doing their best to
make the occasion ssem . holy one.
Tho dervishs eyes. cyntcally intro
spective. rested. at firSt casually, thon
with swift intentnoas, on q now
conner. a late comer-Sadi. the sad
dler' Yes, that person stood there.
In the flesh. before him. He was no
myth. lie had stepped In when the
ceremony was about over and was
now one OF the guests. Probably he
had been at the house earlier, had
gone away for some reason or other
and returned. Tho dervish waited
for him TO speak. as one waits for the
inevitable: II was a tense moment.
But tho other continued to stand
grim. silent and motiOnless.
Some one. however. unconscious OF
tho irony OF the act. now drew the
saddler forward and introduced him
TO the bridegroom.
Distant relative Of Amad," said
the person who did tho Introducing.
"Teiybeen." muttered Sadi.
allah bless thee" said the dervtsh.
fervently.
That was all. But once or twice