Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1854-02-16
THE KNIGHT OF LEON.
THE M0NARCH'S LAST BRIDE
TALE OF MOOR ISL GRANADA.
BIZ sYLyANUs COBB, JR.
CONTINUED.
CHAPTER XXI.

Mohammed was seated upon large pur.
pie cushion in one of his audience cham.
bers. Ben Hamed was there, and at a
short distance stood Husam Ben A bias
There were number more of attendants
present, and all seemed hanging with
more than wonted anxiety upon the words
which were about to fall from the kings
lips.
'Husam Ben Abbas.' said the king, sap.
proach me-
| The noble went nearer to the king.
ben Abbas, you do not bow SO low as
was your won't
| sAh SIRE
4 speak the truth Ben Abbas You do
| not look me SO kindly in the face as you
have done
1t may be that matters of grave import
show themselves upon my features, sire
'Hark ye, Ben Abbas Beware that
rebellion finds no home in thy bosom, or,
by Allah, you'll repent it.
You know me, sire, and you know l
have been faithful
Then why those peevish looks p
L am sad and heartsick'
'Ah, and by heaven, I, too, am heart
sick. All this day I've felt gnawing at
my very vitals l tell thee, Ben Abbas [
feel most strangely
Ben Abbas turned away his head to
hide a look he could not suppress The
name of Emma dwelt silently upon his
lips, and a look of JOY passed over his fea-
lures.
| My head, too. feels wonderfully unea-
sy,' continued the king But l shall
overcome it.
L trust you may, SIRE replied Ben Alb
| bas
'Ay. Allah protect thee y added the
alcalde
But enough Of this uttered Moham
med showing by his manner that he was
Ill at ease. Ben Abbas, l have made up
my mind
| Allah grant that you may be merciful p
said Husam
'Mercifil = repeated the king. with d
| laugh. Let mercy be for those who need
it. | want none of it. Husam, AJ1uHa
mast die
Those present started at the words
| Have you thought of this, sire 2 asked
Ben Abbas. Have you thought of what
might be the consequences of such
! Silence 7 cried Mohammed L have
thought of nothing save what 1 should
do, and upon that [ have determined
Abdalla must die ere another sun shall
rise 2
You certainly have the power to do as
you please said Ben Abbas, in a low tone
of voice
'Ay, and none shall prate at my doings
after the deed is done Mark that, HUI
sam, and beware. Do you understand p
Yes, sire
Then [ shall look for you to be wise
Il am wise now, Mohammed,' proudly
returned Ben Abbas 'and from my wis
dom would [ speak to thee. Thou must
not wonder that l speak plainly, for it is
the province of true friend SO to speak.
bllndly on our faults, and fa'ter US in
our evil
Go on, Ben Abbas, for your speech has
a smacking of honesty, though l must
say that 1t is not always wise to be hon
est
4 have but word more to say I ad-
wise you not to lay the hands of death
upon Abdalla and it will be for your in
terest to let the Christians go free from
| Granada
You have spoken,-and, 1 suppose
honestly said the king with sneer.
i have. in truth, sire
Then let me tell thee that l need not
thy advice I'll talk with thee another
time, Ben Abbas, but it wakes late now,
aud L must to business. All that pain
in my heart. I have overtasked myself
with thought and yet that feeling is a
strange one
The monarch pressed his hands upon
his bosom as he spoke, and as the pain
seemed to pass off he raised his head. and
reached forth for bit of parchment that
lay near him
'Mahmoud,' be said, addressing an Off
Ger who stood near him, take this TO the
! prison and deliver it to Tarik Therein
he is commanded to put to instant death
the two Christians who are confined there
Then his other prisoner is to follow. He
will
Mohammed stopped and pressed his
hand again upon his bosom A slight
groan escaped him, and then be resumed
Bid Tarik that he obey my order
Let Abdalla die close upon the death of
the Christians and let it all be done
quickly, too
Sire 7 interposed Ben Abbas-
Silence I exclaimed Moham,ned BY
Allah, if you speak another word, you, too,
shall visit the prison. Men shall know
who is king of Granada if they think to
rule me with their prating Go Nah
moud
Husam Ben Abbas bowed bis head, and
with low murmur upon his lips he turn
ed away from the royal presence. There
was much pain in his look, and he trem
bled violently as he walked towards the
door.
Come back, Husam,' cried the king