Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1917-06-21

house, following Nadina, Six
feet and half in height, with great
oriental turban which made him seem
fully six inches taller, and attired in
rich and flowing garments, Pharis. the
great sea captain, with bushy beard
and heavy eyebrows and BLACKLIST hair,
made an imposing and barbaric figure
as he stood at the divan where Tisha
half reclined. casting him a saucy look
rs he gazed upon her. Then, as she
poured him a goblet of wine and taunt-
ingly leaned forward to hand it to him,
the great Pharis emitted cultural re-
mark which might almost have been
the roar of bull.
Thou, girl" he spoke, deep breath
showing the emotion he felt at seeing
this beautiful creature before him
Thou, girl, thou art fair. Dost know
who am?"
Tisha Haunted herself before him,
turning full around so that he might
see and admire the beauty of her back
Then, with a little gurgling laugh, she
motioned for him to sit upon the divan,
while she climbed upon one knee and
stroked his great bushy beard. Whereat
Pharis laughed, heavy, reverberating
laugh, which made Jether involuntarily
turn and survey the scene in astonish
ment.
"Tola," he cried, drawing his friend
to him anxiously, who is that man
who speaks with Tisha?"
'Pharis, the sea captain, who sails
by night, that none may trace his
course" explained Tola. HE goes on
distant voyages to some island marked
upon his chart alone, and then brings
back cargoes of tin, worth more than
it's weight in gold for use they make of
it. For his secrets l know many mer-
chants who would pay the ransom of
king-could Tisha tempt it from him
in his Sleep"
Jether turned upon his friend angrily
"Sayest thou that-yet art thou friend
of mine?" he demanded.
$50 good friend I'll lose a bag of
gold for thee" answered lola. "And
tell Tisha nothing
Jether heard the ripping laugh of
the temptress as she toyed with the
beard of the sea captain. He strobe to
her angrily. grasped her by the arm
and by main strength tore her away
from the captains knee. The girl faced
him angrily. and the giant of the sea
stepped forward as if to smite him
with one blow, had not Nadina inter-
fered to quiet Pharis.
Thou shalt not stay here" declared
Jether. Thou wilt come with me,
Tisha.'
The girl twisted herself from his en-
brace.
Where is the necklace thou didst
promise me?"
My friends have borrowed what |
had with me, but thy mother knows
my chest of gold is in my chamber. I'M
der lock and key. Come with me, and
will get thee gold for thy necklace"
Nay; l shall await thee here" She
cast knowing smile at Pharis.
81 bid thee come with me-" CON-
handed Jether.
"And l bid thee first make good thy
promise" she retorted, turning to the
sea captain. Jether looked at lola and
said to him quietly: Thou art my
friend, lola. If this man seek to speak
with Tisha in my absence thou wilt
guard her for me-
Tola smiled sardouically.
II will guard her as tenderly as If
she were mine own-again." he added
softly. But the boy heard the last word.
"Again?" he cried "Then thou vert
her lover after all!"
But Tisha quickly sprang between
them ere Jether could strike lola.
Now quarrel with thy friend" she
said, parting them. Anything SO that
thou mayest save thy money
Thou shalt have thy necklace" cried
Jether, plunging abruptly into the man
sion and going to his room for his
treasure chest. Tola whispered aside
to Tisha:
"Pharis comes toward thee. He is
worth a hundred Jethers couldst thou
| but win his favor" he added and Gid
| ed away as the giant sea captain came
| to her.
| Pharis grasped her with his mighty
htiHoS. liz tuIllC0 uCl dIOuuu anu
round. he ran his great thick fingers
through her hair. and Tisha laughed,
] for she knew that he was in the tolls
| of the siren and that she could make
this mighty giant do her bidding. Sud-
denly he spoke grutily:
| Dance for me, girl
The harpists played, the girl danced.
Slowly and sinuously. like snake.
| like cobra charming its victim. Tisha
danced. Her shoulders swayed in
rhythm with the music. her slender an
iles flashed white beneath the swaying
skirt, until finally Pharis. with great
cry of JOY, seized her and lifted her
bodily from her feet so that he might
kiss her face Tisha screamed and
laughed when the great bushy whisk-
ers tickled her fair face
"Dost know who | am?" demanded
Nho o,l vr.ip h;