Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1855-01-24

Haftz was silent for some moments his
face grew darker. and he became more
agitated
Zeia," lie at length said, would
not have your young hopes blasted, and
for the future, cease to think of Iago
save as friend"
The maiden glanced mysteriously into
Haftz's face, and her gaze was fixed earn
Iestly on her deep working features.
The astrologer noticed her manner, and
a Dark shade passed over her face.
" Yet why, father O tell me? Is
it because lago is alone and friendless !"
earnestly asked the young girl.
" Friendless /" uttered the astroloeer
and he trembled more fearfully than be-
fore
Zelia stsrted at the strange tone of
Haftz S voice it was so different from its
free, open volume
" The youth lacks not for friends.
! child" be added, after pause vet it
was in strange distracted manner. that
showed that his thoaghts were not or
what he was saying
Then why was lie compelled to fee
from Isphan and forsake us2
He fed to escape the yengence of
! Persia's tyrants, Zelia."
And will he never return to Us again
father 2"
He may return, child, but not at pre-
sent: for it would be certain death for
him to enter the city"
For what crime is he charged 2"
! Crime uttered Haftz in bitter
tone. g it would be well for Persia's king
! if it were a crime but that youth is too
noble to break the laws of this land vet
the dawn of a brighter future is breaking
over Persia and thy star proud AsLraff.
/ begins TO pale"
For what. then, dear father. was Iago
exiled ?" tremblingly asked the young
girl
II would be well for thee, Zelia, not
to know at present; yet fear not child,
the dark future will unveil all
All Iago who will now protect
thee y sighed the maiden, while pearly
tear trembled on her long silken eye
lashes
THE youth has protector, Zelia"
"Pray who may lie be father p
Have you so soon forgotten Hated,
the monk, who first brought the youth to
this old tower, and placed him under our
charge?
Nay, I have not. for owe him much;
and Iago is his protege, yet"
" Al Kha2, the Black Infdel, is lagos
protector"
: The dreaded corsair, father 2n
q The same, Zelia."
Strange that Iago should be in his
power. for he is an unholy man, and one
| should not dare to look upon :"
Think you that you would not,
child ?"
NAY, | think / should not father"
% And yet Heshan has oft been your
companion, Zelia, while at Isphan."
s Ny companion
cav. Zelia. your companion for Ia
fed and Heshan are cne,n interrupted the
astrologer, gazing earnestly at the fair
girl
Zelia answered not, but gazed thought
fully on the ground; yet if she had
glanced into Haftz's features at that mo-
ment, the cloud that lowered upon his
brow would have sent a thrill Of horror
through her veins, and caused her to re-
coil from him she had thought her father
4" Father she al length said, in deep
-earnest tone. laying her hand on his arm.
where is Iago father is he living
Haftz hesitated moment, as he found
the Young girls gaze bent on him those
dark. lustrous orbs were shining with an
earnest liquid light and the lips were
trembling with some strong inward emo
ton.
ZeIia. ask me not to recall the past"
bitterly exclaimed the astrologer; for It
is fraught with deep wrongs"
BY St Omar proud Ludin, thou
shalt bite the dust for this fell upon
their ears at this moment. and a man
weIteriug in blood, staggered and fell up
on the ground before them.
Quick Zeiia haste, and bring a
torch while l yaise the sufferer" cried
Haftz bending over the wounded man
Ah ! I well knew that voice; it IS
Haftz the astroioger of Isphan,' muir
INJURED the dying man.
Fear not, stranger, it is one who will
care for you until your wounds are
healed
Fear nay, Haftz, have no cause to
/ fear now you are with me and the gods
F be praised that / have fallen into your
hands for | have a secret | wish to un-
! fold. ere my soul passes TO the land Of
shades; yet my wounds are mortal. and
ere the sun again wheels over the Zagri
an, | shall be corpse" sighed the stran-
ger. in faint voice
Zelia now joined them with torch,
and the wounded man was removed to a
room in the old tower.
The night waned apace, and the storm
that had lowered over the Zagrian now
increased to a fierce tempest The wild
winds surged heavily through the tree
tops, causing the old tower to reel as they
thus swept madly round It's dark walls,
bowling ike so many demons let loose
from Hades.
Within room in the tower, on low
couch. lay the form of the stranger He
was short, heavy built man, with fea
lures that were far from being proposes
sing \ frighful cash disfgured his left
opj from syba tie rat,nd ~, lie