The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1914-04-27

pe COiSlSteHt, cannot DOD
his body up and down too
often. especially II he Is In a
busy street where many may observe
him. Returned pilgrims are usually
hungry. This one WINS dusty and
road-worn; his shoes were falling
from his feet. He might be looking
for benefactor. But though his
plight was apparent the crowd seemed
too busy for benevolence.
From the pastry shop. however, n
man now came and stood at the door
with a cake.
Thank the lady! Thank the most
gracious lady who takes pity on your
poverty" said the person.
IL do. |. most unworthy, humbly
return thanks" answered the dervish
eagerly. whereupon the man threw
the cake. Unfortunately one of tho
many waiting dogs got II. Pande-
monium ensued as street boys with
sticks and stones set upon the con-
gregated CANNES. HowlH mingled with
juvenile yells. Innocent dogs Jared
no better than the guilty pilferer.
In the midst of the hubbub she who
had hidden the proprietor throw the
cake walked out Of the shop. She
was slender and richly robed. Her
tezyereh. or street attire, was OF silk,
an exquisite light rose. 30 that her
coming seemed to brighten the thor
oughfare. Amid sQualor and wretch
edness-ragged hawkers. carriers and
vendors OF hundred inconsequential
articles-she shone like u flower. Her
face. OF course, was concealed by the
snowy Wilderness of the burke, or faco
Nnt htsf alNA IN II.
swaying grace. the dervish caught a
glimpse Of her eyes.
An instant they seemed to hold him,
although he was more or less a
woman hater by profession and per-
haps inclination.
by the beard OF the Prophet. but
the lady has soulful eyes!" ne NUT
tered in choicest Arabic. Then a
soothing light came into his own.
mo doubt, too. sho knows IT," he
added. and began again more reso-
lutely to pray.
But he was suffered to continue
his praiseworthy vocation for only a
few moments. He. ragged waif Of
the roads, was occupying space de-
manded by others Of the high and
opulent class.
way there. Way there!" peremp-
tory voices called out, and two superb
camels. Of lordly height. bearing a
spacious litter between them. cane
along. At a command tho beasts,
bedecked with bright trappings.
knclt while an attendant in fine
livery and OF autocratic bearing, de-
noting the Importance OF those he
served. opened the door OF the litter.
Tho lady who had attracted the
dervish's attention was about to get
in, when ono of the camels, annoyed
by the swapping OF a miserable littlo
yellow dog. made an angry move
ment and started to rise.
The litter swayed: tho lady. with
foot on the step. was thrown back
ward and would have been hurled
TO the ground. but at that moment
the dcrvish sprang forward and
caught her. His arms, which had
been extended empty handed toward
Mecca, now clasped a fair sample.
or example. OF despiscd fcmininity.
Nay. more--a warm breath famed
his check. while those eyes that had
forced his attention few moments
before now met his own fully, albeit
In startled fashion, affording him
abundant opportunity TO fortify or
amend that first impression OF them.
They were more than soulful: :"
they were big. luminous, naughty.
passionate. poetic. One Economically
inclined would have searched for a
few more adjectives to encompass
their attraction. They could talk
and tell all manner Of things. Allah
blessed be whose Name) gave them
license to practise magic or diablerie:
teach cynical young dervishes, ac-
customed to solitary dances, that
solo whlrls are but lonesome bust
ness on life's barren sands.
For a moment, which takes sOme-
what long In the telling. they-beg-
gar and beautiful lady, brought thus
together by bizarre fate-nade an in
teresting II unconventional picture on
that ancient street OF strange con-
trasts. Possibly he prolonged the sit
uation longer than the sterner eXi-
Cencies--to be merely helpful.-de-
manded, while light that was not
wholly holy or strictly pious began
to shine from his somewhat cynical
young gaze. And well II had excuse
for so doing, for the ladys eyes alone
were not all this fortunate anchorite
Of the desert was permitted 70 con-
template. Her veil had been par
TALLY swept aside. thus affording an
unexpected and most illumining
oval, perfect. II dazz'cd the gaze ac-
customed to unprepossessing pilgrims
fnces and bleak prospects.
The dervish forgot his Prophet; his
lips on a sudden awoke to a different
kind OF litany. The adam he dared
utter now sounded from the minaret
OF his own daring presumptuousness:
"By the faith. but Damascus holds
Mt least one pearl OF wondrous
beauty"
A vivid pink splashed the girls
fnco Fortunately aho
had caught the too free compliment
Of this bold young mueddin, The
street was, and always Is, very noisy
davtimes.
How dare you?"
lie only laughed for answer. Roses
where had been lilies! The old Per-
sian poets would have likened now
the lady's face to a new garden Of
enchantmsnt.