The Northern News. — 1898-12-10 (Carlisle, Cumbria, England)

CHAPTER VII. EDITH FORRESTER'S TERRIBLE ALTER  NATIVE.  IT was on this subject that she and Neufield were conversing within the dreary prison yard of Omdurman. Neufkid was one of those gentle and apepathetic beings to whom any woman could talk as a brother, and Edith Forrester hail almost regarded him as one for some time past. "Oh, my good, true friend, can you see no way of escape from the terrible fate which threatens me ? Death would be infinitely preferable to marriage with so cruel, hideous, and filthy a monster. Why, his very jibikali IA jibbah, and a pair of short linen drawers, is the usual costume worn by the followers of the Khalifs. The former is shaped liked a shirt, and all rents and holes therein Inv patched over as the garment must not be discarded whilst it can hold together] is fool with grease, as well as spotted, and even caked, in many places, with dried human gore—gore, too, of his own shedding." "There are two ways, I think, hy which you might escape the fate which you so much dread," answered Neufield, mourn, fully. " For heaven's sake name them 1" - "One is to render yourself repulsive instead of attractive ot appearance, by scarring your face all over with a knife, or a sharp stone, and that in so thorough a mauner that the marks may be permanent." "But have you never beard that a beautiful Lireek girl, called Zoe Athanos, tried that very plan a year and a half ago, in order to escape becoming a wife oi tile Khalifa, and tnat, as a punishment, a deep grave was dug tor her, site being compelled to look on tne while, and wilen it was finished she was stripped naked and thrown therein, alter Wnlctl stones were hurled down upon her tin bile perished in the most fearful agonies; and that the murderers did not cease throwing until the grave was not only filled up, but the stones rose above it like a cairn. Ain't pile of stones may still be seen on the furthest side of the reviewground. Oh, merciful liod I 1 cannot risk such an awful death as that."  I have never before heard the story of the poor Greek girl, or I would not have recalled so sad a subject, to your recollection. Well, happily, thetc is yet, another way in which you may escape the fate which you so much dread. The mood nun, Ida Vitali, is dying in her hut, though the fact has been kept a close secret from all but we." "What a fortunate release for the poor, gentle soul. Would to heaven that her happy lot were mine!" " i was thinking that her lot might become yours. Now, just listen to me, anti as calmly as you can, for it is a gruesome tale that i have to 401, and a yet more gruesome suggestion to make at the end of the narrative."  "In this city of a hundred horrors w‘hat is there that is not gruesome? Say on then, and do not, tear that your words will make we even shudder."  "Sister Vitali will die to night. Of that 1 believe there cannot be the least doubt. For many evenings past 1 have been digging her grave alougsaie ner bed." " What, in tile poor creature's sight?" "Why nut? I can assure you that it has been a great comfort and joy to her. Stie calla it tier haven of rest, and she knows.  that to her it w ill be the portal ol heaven, for she declares, wath a sunle, ihat Omdurman has been her purgatory, 1.4.14,1 tiod has inerenully jairii.eti lier, as WILLI lAI e, before death ins Lead ot alter, so that her