The Washington times., 1920-09-26
BN MdH XOhe Lady Francis Hope)
CHAPTER XIII.
(CoatinWed fron Last Suaday.)

(Coatinwed from Last SundayD
Copyright 1890 BY international Feature Service l"s-
WY HEN Zubayda, the Sultan's fayorite, that
w Besmi, the mother of his newest son, gradually
usurpng her place in the royal masters
affections she resored every enchanment of which she
capable told last Sunday hold the tickle Sui
tan slave to her imperious will
But the Imperial Mothers little plot fast
oeedng. Abdul found new delight in those more and
frequent tetea-tees with the slave girl whom he
had discarded, but whom the Imperial Mother had
thrust upon his notice again. a Hanoum Efendi-
the mother of son.
In the secrecy of her daras her private apartments
where only her personal slaves and eunuchs
her, she INDUCED in hysterca ouburss followed by long
hours of sukng But in the of the harem itself
she austere and domineerng She
the great Hope Diamond constantly, flashing beautiful
symbol Of the power she had welded the king Of
Kings and those who wondering whether it
yet time transfer their allegiance from her to the beau
tfn Besm who was summoned so often TO the Sultans
chambers, grew tmid when they looked upon the gem,
and afraid to brave the Of her who had been
such capricious favorite
The Sultan still assured Zubayda that she was but q
foolish girl if she thought he planned discard her. He
would point to the great diamond scintating from
throat and ask in his stod way if that not worthy
sign of his continued regard But the Sultans chief
bodyguard continued to take his to Besmi
and more frequently.
There never could be two favorites-two rulers-in
the satinhung and aforementioned Yildz Harem. Ri
varies grew too bitter There too many to watch
closely the signs of the Sutans fances and the balance
Of favor attracted at the balance Of harem adulaon
The Imperial Mother, still unsatisfed with her
venge upon Zubayda for the slight she had suffered at her
hands, which described last Sunday, was impatient
Besmi, her protegee, looked upon with interest
now by the Sultan but would her power him lasti
Would not Zubayda after ALL possessor Of the richest
gem the Sultan had conferred upon of his slaves
regain her proud estatei There opportunity,
time, to be lost.
The Imperial Mother decided that the die must be cast
and the rival claims Of Besm and Zubayda put to the test
Besmi, who was ambitious Hanoum Efend despite
her meek loneliness listened to the hints the Imperial
Mother whispered into her ear
Zubayda to her BATH in the great alabaster pools
in the marble seraglo court just before the First Prayer
sunset All activities in the harem halted during
the First Prayer though the do not join in
the prayer itself 1t of the rules of the harem e
qette that when the muezzns call is sounded each slave
GIRL princess and Kadu Efendi-the Suans legal wives
remains mooness wherever she happens to be for the
ten minutes that required for the Sultan in his private
mosque 60 through the rituals of the prayer Zubayds
planned daily to finish her bath just before the prayer
that its ten minutes might find her resting her couch,
surrounded by her attendants
Besmi knew this custom. She waited one afternoon
IN the antechambcr Of the alabaster pool where hidden
behind the damask curtains she watched her rival play
ing in the water. She saw her. the dusk settled
the open and the myriad of harem lights began to
Cimmer come out Of the pool, draw her rich robe Of
lambs fleece about her beautiful body and toward
the antechsmber Her slaves followed but at respect
full distance.
Just as Zubayda about to pass through the dam
ssk.hung arch into the passageway which led to her