The Argosy, March 27, 1920 — page 52: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

202 The young man stopped, looked for a moment, and then walked quickly across the square. Ali Hassan leaped up and put both hands on the youth’s shoulders as he entered the room. ‘Ho, young poet!” he roared; “ fortune is with me to-day! I have to thank thee for two things—first, it was thou who put into my head the idea of getting a wife; second, thou art here to let me thank thee. Mustufa, another cup!” “ Nay,” said the young man, looking at the wicker-bound flask. ‘‘ The Koran for- biddeth that,” “As thou wilt,” said Ali Hassan, “ and perhaps thou art right. I doubt if thy young head could stand it.” Mustufa came in with the second cup and said: “ Ali Hassan, art thou not afraid to be here without thy retinue? No man hath more friends than thou, and no man hath more enemies.” “No,” scoffed Ali. ‘“ What man dare touch me? And this youth is here who is my friend.” * Aye,” said Kahleel, “I will take good care that no harm cometh to him.” Mustufa shrugged his shoulders and went out, and Kahleel filled Ali’s cup and “Thou wilt let me say a verse over the drink?” “Yes, young poet, and let it be some- thing about love. Eyes of the nightingale, voice of the gazelle, and the rest of the bird talk.” “TI will put a charm on this cup, O Ali,” said the young man, “so that thou shalt have such dreams of love and poetry as never thou hadst before.” “Nay, no dreams,” said the big man good-naturedly, “ but give it a blessing.” ‘“] will give thee a blessing of flowers,” said Kahleel, raising the cup. ‘“ What of her that is straight as a young palm-shoot, hath a breath like that of the rose, and eyes like the black poppy that bringeth sleep?” * Good!” cried Ali. ‘“‘ Would that thou and I might match beauties, youth! Hast thou found thy treasure yet?” “No,” said Kableel, “ but the night is not done.” THE ARGOSY, Thou wilt find her,” said Ali when he had finished the drink. ‘ The pearl never faileth. Another blessing!” ” Kahleel filled the cup again, and said: “What of the good man? The good man walketh in the straight path to paradise, but the man of evil heart walketh in the maze which leadeth only to death.” Ali was silent for a long time, and then hiccuped: “TI liked the other blessing better, Kahleel. What was in, that bot- tle?” “ Arrak; naught else.” “Body of Allah,” said the great man, with a long sigh; “ it worketh as no arrak ever worked before. I am sleepy, youth.” “ Then sleep, O Ali Hassan!” “ Nay,” said Ali, shaking his shoulders, “ JT will arouse me, for I have other business in hand. Yet I will have one more draft of this. Fill the cup, for it eseapeth my hand somehow. The blessing of the flow- ers. What of her that is as straight as young palm-shoot—hath a breath like the rose—and what was the rest?” “Is as soothing as the black poppy that bringeth sleep,” said the young man. “Aye, the black poppy that bringeth sleep,” murmured Ali. He staggered to his feet and said: “I must rouse me. Mustufa!”* The proprietor glided in, and Ali said: “ Knowest thou what I have brought te my house this day?” “I have heard,” said Mustufa, “ that a mule litter hath gone thither.” ‘ Ave, old fox, but this time I take a wife.” ‘ A wife,” said Mustufa. “I have heard thee say that that was worse than tooth- ache.” “And so I thought until I saw this maid, -What a mother she will make for my sons!” * One can never be sure,” said Mustufa. ‘“ She may have another man in her head, and be sure she will make thee pay for itl” “ Another man in her head!” exclaimed Ali hazily. “ But I have a way to find out! O Mustufa, thou knowest not the advan- tage of being in the confidence of Heaven. If she have another man in her head, I comicbooksscom