Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1853-12-22

THE KNIGHT OF LEON:
THE MONARCH'S LAST BRIDE,
BY sYLvANUs COBB, JR.
coNrINuED.
CHAPTER IH.-(corINuED.l

[coNrsNuED.1
CHAPTER HI-{corINuEDl
THE DOOM.
THEN you had better beware for your
self, Ben Hamed for if Zebra comes not
to mo an unstained wife, yours shall be
the peril. You had better look to her.
The alcalde had awakened passion in
the bosom of the king he meant not to
have touched; but he apprehended no
danger from it. His daughter had been
promised to the king, and he was to receive
her among his wives when she was twenty
years of age
L will hold myself responsible for her
fidelity said Ben Hamed Charles of
Leon shall know that she is bound to you,
and then, if he dares to
L see what you mean,' hastily cried the
king. Let him but lisp sedition to her,
and he shall suffer- So much for the
Christian
Ben Hamed's eyes sparkled with salts
faction.
Hold moment said Mohammed, as
the alcalde turned towards the door
Now that l think of it, it does seem strange
that the Count of Valladolid should have
come to Granada unless he had important
business
so it seems to me- returned Ben Ha-
med
Can you guess at the cause of his visit 2
asked the king.
No, sire
The alcalde spoke in hesitating man
ner, and a troubled look rested upon his
features He caught the keen glance Of
the monarch, and he seemed uneasy
BEN Hamed, you are deceiving me-
said the king
BY Allah, am not
Have you no suspicious as to the cause
of the Christian knig ight's visit here2'
mo, SIRE
Beware, now.'
Indeed [ speak the truth
Then why looked you SO troubled just
now q
A moment the alcalde was silent but
happy thought came to his aid
when l spoke I was thinking of his
conquering me in the lists. Was not that
enough to move me 2
Perhaps it was returned Mohammed,
still cycling his officer with suspicious
look
And I was thinking, too, of what dan
gerous enemy he might prove, were his
aims turned against our interests
| This touched the monarch where Ben
| Hamed aimed
Watch him watch him = he exclaimed
Let there be but proof enough, and his
rank shall not save him
Il will watch him sire and you shall be
advised of all his movements
When Ben Hamed left the royal pres
ence he was followed by eyes that were
keen as his own. Mohammed VI. was a
jealous man and his supicions were easily
aroused. Whether he suspected the al
calde of duplicity or not, none knew save
had vanquished his own warriors was
enough to awaken his animosity, and the
hints of Ben Hamed had not been without
their effect.
L think said the monarch to himself
after he was alone. that Ben Hamed
knows more of this Christian than he
chooses to tell. At all events, I'll watch
them both Zebra is mine Of the al
calde [ want but her, and her will have
BY Allah, but the girl is beautiful, and l
think [ might love her.
When the alcalde left the Alhambra he
sought his own dwelling, and when he was
sealed in his private room he sent for his
daughter. Zebra entered his presence
before her father.
Zebra said Ben Hamed, you only
want three short months to make up your
twentieth year
The fair girl shuddered, but she spoke
not in reply.
You will then be the wife of our king
continued the alealde, cycling his daughter
sharply.
a aciter uttered Zebra.
Yes
How many wives has Mohammed now q
L don't know
| 'He has a wife
Certainly
'And does he love her p
Love her. Why, | suppose so.
Then how can be love another
what do you mean by shat2'
L mean what l ask, father IF the
k.ug loves his present wives-or one of
taem-how can he love anothec?'
why, he will love you more than all
the rest
sYes,-as he loves the baubles that
please his fancy. To-day they are worn
with selfish pride-to-morrow cast coldly
aside. This is Mohammeds love-
'Poh The king can love that which
pleases him, and you will be sure to please
him You have health, wit and beauty.
Yes, father, one other thing have-a
heart =
Ben Hamed looked at his daughter
without speaking.
L have heart, father continued Zebra
with much emotion; a heart that holds
all my stores of veal and woe
Well, dropped from the alealde's lips
He was puzzled, for at solving the myste
rios of th., hu.,,an soul where virtue and