The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, May 17, 1903, Page 7

Cupyrigt by Norman Dunean HE relief of space and breess and evening shadow, the reposs of sprawling and low, easy chatter— e long breath of the day's — had drawn the swarthy Brrians of Washington strest to Battery Park; the band rbed the solemn night, &s & trivial word a funeral—obscur- ng-drawn whistles and eor and rustie in the ul swish of the waves the seawall. Battery hitehall, from the old to the had come frankly, eager e band. Ragtime and senti- tching soles and a flest- e—move the ynative ible shuffies st follow as they may. So irg the distant e tenement te 4 fiuence of love in hiding s Awad, Ameer of the eratior and Halleem daughter, to the solis ge of the crowd, and Alois & eyes with the crimson 1 gold of the train of the es with the courage of im- ered, pus m his hot, wet y was parched e more word Are the words h ©-0; the words are weil known to =e Halleem brushed back the fluttering tress and the sight u arise in absence iant moon calis out to he me forth, for thy face is 1 and in all trees compl the tents of her people, even agamnst thelr epears®™”’ he g0 great courage?’ Halleem's ame fast again; she stared, thus tirg, at e unwieldy Annex ferry and s track of foa A Alois here is a gentler way, and- “Halleem! Little danghter!” Salim Khourl, to whom fat came with prosperity, had waddled within hearihg cietance; and this was the asthmatic call He came up puffing, but smiling a broad d mudulgent smile. ‘Little star dialect, taking of Halleem's t bralds in his chubby hand to fondle it “now ain't she a little star, Alois? Ha a-a-a His eyes twinkled with affec- for her. He moved his arm to the 1 her back, and she sank table breast and from r place flashed an in- Alots roached himself after Veste so shamed wa So he s flus! shamefaced t away, and wander- tow and when the was not so sad as he hed t crowded, dusky park king, sharp-eyed Afrecting a loud m his T fnt arched the ice readed ymens throng on the e cea wall and trav terior walks. Thoug tien in many a sweet, bri he suspended his’ quest only to -cuff bullying u re dirtier bullied one Thus, while the darkened harbor, young Jimmy Brady —in the pride of his job at Swartz & Rat- tery's the glory of his white duck and rolled gold jewelr 1 natty swiftly tempte chin and caress s Awad gazed out over new red tie, in the hope of his merry. sar g temperament, searched persistently for Halleem the sloe-eved, his Li'l’ Peach to teil her that he loved her is was Jimmy of the snapping eye they sat down, having spoken not one single word on the way. 'Halleem gave him many an observant side giance in the meek, covert way her people know; ané now as his lithe strength and bold, eager face impressed her young heart anew, it ashed over her, ecstatically, that this was Antar, and she, Abla, s beloved, whom he h~d carfled off, in night, triumphantiy, everd against the spears of his-enemies, and she closed her eves, and wished that the green bench d the flagstones and the salty breeze \d the swinging. glaring arc lamp ‘and 1 the chatter might be changed, magic- as of old,” into a swift, coursing steed and the sands of the desert and the free, hot breathiof the night and a mill- fon twinkling stars and the cries of pur- suing enemies. As for Jimmy, he won- dered’ at fading courage Meester Brady,” Halleem said at last, peking fun at him in a sly way, “you we walk. You forgot. Eet ees born again nmy ejaculated;ithen staring abs 1 teok hold of him again The distant band struck ip a swinging music song=aboyt the Only Girl— tha rar in men's ears I'he music and the volcés of the people, sin came, mellowed and undulant, 1gh the space betw re § Jimmy burst out explo- sively; he turned to her, but stopped dead, shiverin e asked, pu Lord, y'ure slo Jimn would havegsavored of, s gust it not been saturated with a deeper *Hair Tk On One—me Hone ' Jimmy had anxious face of a ma 1 tria wh e foreman of the jury siands up, solemnly, and th rtroom is hushed hed, shaking her head, "I he plainted t no ears? Y'u're it, 1 teil Vre—y'u're The song came out of the distance aga'n blurred by the ‘Hear hand raising his scked her ear listened. Th heart of Jimmy was like a piston rod and he was gulp- keep his throat moist and fit st one g st one girl The thers, 1 know, but they're not my 1 o 1st one girl er with just one girl “Ain't ¥y » Jimmy asked in a drawn, hollow whis Ain’t it pene- trated vet?" His honest heart was near to bursting. He hitched closer and looked down in her eves craving the light of love. “Y'u're it—me honey—me sweet thing!" Did he after all have words enough? He went on desperately. plunging to the end. “Follo' me? Can't y'u see? Me honey— the or There wds no re leem's eyes—or ¥y one—me peach.” onsive light in Hal- wondering shadow it slewiy The (: irds were forced at last; but he gulped His passion disclo. néful, effeming THE FUNDAY CALL. Understand? He knows y'u, an’ w'at y'u say goes wit’' him. Just break it. Foilo’ me? All y'u got t' do is—is—tell him. Now—" Khayat was laughing, and Alols, now peculiariy responsive to the mood of the young lover, was smiling. Such, then, was the joy of love! Ah, that he might know 1! ‘“You have mot told me the name of the young ladee,” Khayat inter ing. “Who ees the dear ladee that she ees Syrian?" “She’s & dago all right—the prettiest 11" dago y'u ever see,” Jimmy rattled, w rising emotion. “She’s all right, Her— her heart, it's all right, toe. She—ehe— loves mea™ Jimmy wstretched out his Bands and lifted up his rapt face and continued, inapired to describe the graces of his beloved. “She loves me! Bay, her eyes—my Gawd hands—her hair- eay, I'm foolish—touched. Are y'u on? Soft, I am—nutty! 't right in me head any more It's her eyes—her Il hands—her—" sald Khayat, gently, *but you have net tcld me her dear name How dan I have help you, eef F— “Halleem Khour's her name” wsafd I L o's & beaut. Say, I'm fool~ Her eyes is brown, an’ her hair is g The muscles of Khalll Khayat's face stiffened in their position; but the light of interest in his eyes expired, and it was full in them thereafter. His heart faltered—stopped—beat on agal with slowly lessening pa Hers a muscle in his face relaxed; thers another. Muscle after muscle weakened and gave; soon hia blue, twitching. face, still , upturned to Jimmy Brady, wors a shallew smile that passed, anon, into ghastiiness—scon a dull melancholy—soon a look of fixed wos and weariness. Then he sighed, and 1s eyes fall to his coffes cup, where he kept them, fearing the greater pain in & sight e face of Alols Awad Alols' cigarette had fa cloth and there he | while it fired the fabric and smoldered foully shoulders had fallen in; his head was swaying ke the top of a tall tree in & great wind. He kept his eyes up—forced he very smil m to hold its place. Then his head sunk; his body tottered; he would e fallen gthless, over the table, had he not t b of th en to the table- stiffened his a “HI J y'ar exclaimed. *“Who hit rstand. Hers was s But who had struck ‘u 1 like & game pug > on the jaw. Y'u ited fer falr. W'at— He could not after a righ as If doin “Agh!" said Alols faintly. *I have smoke. “Groggy and game an’ comin’ up t' the scratch, eh?’ J d. “Here, drink yer water There was sf Jimmy turned to K Khayat. doin’, I'm n'? Wat— Khayat p his lean hand fmpert- ously. “Ox-cuse me,” he said, contort- tng his featy into a kindly smile. *T ester Awad een my Khayat turned to Alols. “Well™ he said simply; but there was a wondrous depth of tenderness in his volce. “What is my love?’ ans Awad, Ameer of the seventk the purest speech of his peop! his eyes wers shining and his voice was shrill and sure, as of a prophet of high calling. “Is it a thirst that cries for quenching? Rather is it witer ireely give en to a parched throat. Is It 4 com ing flame, to turn to ashes the joy of my beloved? Rather is it a fire kindled a wintry place, burning bright the night, that she may bask In fts T dream of su harboring the ness? Rather slumber song of the w tempest, to stir great the ship of her happin y g aae . o 8 1 o of his throat " g rm. * * * The &nd gentle heart and broad shoulders and : ”” of o Gardinah Bk n rea ars and quick ri fist and long before he would give them utter- s e v & rejoinder and springy step and &nce: o — e ; curliig lidog purpose and strengthening pull 1 1ove y'ul" he cried tremulousiy s ’t‘"‘:“l‘,’: — < - e iallk 0" the Alderman of the ward ard vocabu- Stretching his arms out. love y'u!” STt R o ghter of Ma = ¢ 5 ndred words. Lord, he had Then he took her hand and waited for £ : it 0] ‘h"‘, words enot It is the kiss and the hug @ sign: and he was white and groggy, and —for it was Sunday—and told her, while Brady came swiftls rough the outer (‘ Wi ikt : the SOrrows of _ v voort—_when it comes to love. The he knew it. she filled the bowl and blew the charcoal ng buoyantly: R it e’ girls of the tenements would be better oft ~ Halleem put her handkerchief to her into a glow and handed him the long tute. Lord, atn't it hot! Ain't old man Khayat Hatier 18 ' & S0 i " S0 thoir, stoadien wire aill Slie S eves and cried quietly: but she left her |that Khalll had made offer for His heartiness was Infectious; all D eld encompa: & or . Meester Brady. Good evejn’, little hand lying incloséd in Jimmy her hand for young Alois Awad, Ameer of the men laughed sympathetically as he > ¢ WY s{ield, det ture r's, Bpoke! sair,” said Khourl, the merchant, when Brady’s great, thrilling palms. the seventh generation, the Light of His He burst into the little back fTOWs of sorrow " sandy waste, far, yoo00me beaming, to where he sat “Drop it! Stop it!” Jimmy exclaimed Eyes, Halleem knew whom His chest was swelling, his head “The Light of my Eyes! gs e 3 ted engine ;4 Halleem; and the Little Star looked impuisively, his own lips twitching; for Then, ,ndeed, she knew that she loved was thrown back, he was drawing his murmured rapturously - ktve £0 the 1 and nestled closer to her father's he thought he had his sign. “Don’t y'u Jimmy Brady, and she thought there was breath as though all air were pure and finger tips, “The I B e it the vibrant an- st, that she might conceal the confu- Cry any more, 1i'l' girl. L ain't got no no man to compare with him In strength bracing; his hat was on the side of his looked long in the vy & - e r f the last cr sion that strangely overcame her always kick comin’. I take me punishment like and beauty and courage; but she said, head—falrly over the ear, jaunty, saucy; bhe pulled his gray mustac . . f the pregnant gyen Jimmy Brady came suddenly Into @ Wan. Loock at me. Cast yer orb on blushing, that she would have her an- his clgar was in the-corner of his mouth and drew long, deep breat . of view me face.” swer ready when Khalll Khayat should and at the political angle; his eyes were expanded nostrils, like a a er hes nswered, leap »Wake 'er up! Say, wake ‘er up!” He turned a brave face up to her; but call in the evening, and went out with a flashing. He slapped Alols on the back— himself by the captive oo erked out: and then he burst She Would not look, and had she looked numb heart to tell the beloved of her i ® resounding thwack, that made the “I know the meaning suift whine with its firse | 0 SO “Say, she's in a She would have seen tears in his eyes. heart that indeed he must, love her ne Syrtan wince. “What's this?" Jimms " F 5 7 trance.” “It's all right,” he went on doggedly. more; for she was a dutiful daughter. . .o o Ao Avoa the Light of his |~ Much 'bliged,” sald Alols delightedly. “Somebody's o of (he land. was g ees seek—no,” Khourl answered ‘Don't cry. I ain’t goin’ to say any more. But why should ‘she tell Jimmy Brady Eyes, in the back room of the coffes- ~YoU welcome. Sit down. You happy, somebody hur was the frst bold word | oncern, agratching his head. I'm done, I tell y'u. Y'WIl gt u hetter this? Ah, for the touch of his hand again! houge of Nageed Fiani, which 1s on ¢h?” “I weel go weeth vat, " e had s a8 aw, I'm on'y stringin’ y'u,” Jimmy a8 'B me. IUs all right. Thers ain't What was the courage of the new Antar? Washington street, not far up from Bat- Old Khayat Tose courteously and drew rising steadily. IHis s then come to O iekly. “Aln't y'u on?" He looked 1 KIck comin’ here—honest, there ain’t. She would risk herseif in thy depths of tery Park, amd may be found any day. . eut a chalr. “Be scated, Meester Brady,” emotlonless. He | ¢ his e - broad land, " 1a man in sly amusement, which Stop it!” he cried, in agony. “Y'wre his eyes! What would he venture? Her They were waiting for the time to come he sald. “Toshi, Toshi!” he called. “Ona hat—under the tab A ‘~ and shady Sailosin’a tight titter fired into a laugh; breakin’ me heart. I didn't mean t' mako purpose weakene: she hesitated; she when Khalll Khayat should go to the cup coffee—one more for Meester Brady. chalrs, and he f1 - y riches of her {hen he caught Halleém by the arm and ¥ U CI¥. I'm takin' me punishment ail pressed on. Ha! she thought, clinching house of Salim Khour!, the merchant, to How eés is your health to-day, salr? Eet on his head. “« {er feet, with 0 er, insistently, gently, to her feet Tight” He pulled her hand away from her little fists, she would dare him to try hear the amswer of Halleem, his daugh- eex very warm, ees eet not?” There was lim Khourl, eet ces a frien’. My words re a golden \lhlfi; pes- ]1eld'her there. “Aw, come on,” he Dber eves and through her tears she smiled to carry her off! Bhe pulled the blouse ter; and they were smojing heavily, si- a twinkle in. Khayat's eves; young Jim- they have power weeth heem. He have " ther the sun ‘was ing, all went on: and the wheedling tone was &t him. “That's all right, It'' girl,” he into a snug fit about her little waist and lently. my Brady was .acceptable in his sight. respect for me. He weel forgees Let art throbbed, and there FUUL Tl o cortain masterfulness that crooned.’ “Y'u won't be bothered wit' me pressed the massive silver comb into place Alols Awad trembled in his chair, and “Say, I'm—I'm married,” Jimmy blurted, me but say eet ecs well a be - ow, & nodn At and she (0 ca sweet In IHalleem's ears and &ny mors. I'm hurt” he moaned, “oh, in her willtul hair, and touched the rih- grew gwift sighs, and sought distraction grinning radlantly, His volce was shrill well. She weep, hay o g ber Utte hands cruelly—though oL e confident glance to his face, 1'm hurt awful: but it's all right. You'll bon at her throat—pressing on all the in the jumbled pattern of the wallpaper and shaking; such was the measure of ~Halleem weep ta 50 ke s have would & a vear for & kiss [ 00 time we walk. Aln't that right?” &it & better man. Come on homse now, whils to Battery Park. and the veices in-the outer room, and his happlness. “Hear me? I'm married. hurry. She weel be f Wt I ¢ flushing finger Ups—and she turned .y 0 Bragy—yes” she answered 1)’ girl. Don't be afraid. I wem't hurt - “But my father he say, ‘Det ees ‘the ‘consumed a hundred matches to keep his I got a Il wife, an’ she loves me—loves =ay, Khourl he weel do i wn eyes to the harber, whers there T go weeth you. y'u. Iknow wen I'm licked.” country of liberty,’ " she thought. “Eef cigarettes alight, and was vacant and me, er she's & Jlar. Ha, ha!" he laughed Not turning to 100k at Alois Awad. the thing to delight in them—though Khour{ exciaimed, looking off e left her at the door of her fathers .1 marry queek he say, ‘Oh, Lestls Star, flushed by turns. Two dreams fought for abruptiy, vacantly; then'he gasped, hap- Light of his Eyes, Khalll Khayat went s covid e wandered lifelong In g o0 ine walk. “My frien’, Meester Kha- house and she watched him swing down w'y you not tell o father? Leetle Star— place in.his mind; and he would harbor pily and continued, as in a burst of con- out. His old rusty hat was Jack u } ¥or, indeed, she was very . .. ., come 1 ses heem. He have Rector street to West, whistling bravely naughty Leétle Star. You marry? Shame 'nefther, the one for that he would not fidence: “It's this way, Mister Khayat— of his head, pulled down fo s ca fraid somethin’ to say. Ver-ee important. Ho, 2s he went, and she went upstairs very —not téll o' father!” Them I ¢ry—I mus' dread it, ‘the other for that he dared not I run away wit’ the girl, an' the old man was staring absently stralz? ntertaln it. ain’t on yet. Now; I ain't crawlin’ meself, Was it a smile on his face? Alols stammered, percelving y,1 Take her weeth you, Meester Brady. solemn and she asked her heart many “ery, 1 feel so bad—an' he . say, w0 ready 1o weep for regret that he had poye her; sure, eet ees the Land of Lib- times that night whether she was sad or Leetle Star! You happy? :'An’' I X ‘It 1s near time,” sald the old man at but me nerves is all gone. I want some- shadow of paln? Was it a uchéd p cted her, “he—he—was a bold man. happy, but her heart was sflent. ‘Yes, I lofe’Beem.' An’ he say, ‘Coms, I -length. *“I shall start now for the house ‘body to square it. Understand? Some- with regret? Men wonder passed Elame to him, if she suffered!” Young Jimmy, in the silence of deepest Now, When on the next merning Salim hug you.. He good man,’ he say. T know Salim Khour! fer the answes—for the body t' squars it—break it easy—let the along with Jimmy Brady, and ¢ turned loved her very much.” suspense, led his L'’ each to a deserted Khourl, the merchant, portentously sel- heem. Come, I hug you' An' he hug me, ‘answer, of little Hallpe to the Light of old man down light. Understand? It's to look agaln, but they could nmot tall Alois exclaimed. *His love was bench, over which a kindly spreading emn, sat himself down in his great chalr, an’ he—he—snger. no.more.” - my Eyes.” " sudden, but it's all right; there won't be whether or not it was well with Khall e arry her off from bush cast @ seclusive shadow; and there walting for his narghile to be made ready ~ In the evening of that day Khalll Khay- Khayat sat still tn his chalr, for Ammy any tearin’ done. The man I wantis you, Khayat that day. | ' wery great!