Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1855-01-24
VOL. VIII.--NO. 10.

sweetness and health, while the yer= sir
was heavy with the rich perfume of flow
ers; and even the rocks were beauti6ed
by the rich verdure Of the masses
| Upon his throne of ivory sat Kader
| Ashraff. Persia's King His brow was
! cloudea, and his hand rested nervousIy
on the jeweled hilt of his Damascus scim-
etar; while his deep, piercing glance was
fixed on the proud vizier, Ludin. who had
just returned IN hot haste from the tower.
Art sure, LudIn, it was the same form
that crossed your path on the moantains2'
asked the Shah, while cold shudder per-
vaded his frame
Il am sure returned the vizier. in a
| tone that betrayed the deep agitation of
his mind
Did you mark well his form, Ludin
: / did. sire; be was of the same iron
mould as the astr0loger'
Alas, It must be him, yet has the sea
given up her dead mused the king, press
ing his hands to his forehead. Yet Luz
din he added, after pause, didn't thou
say the astrologer left the tower with the
mask p
He did, sire
Tt is well, Ludin he shall first suffer
death. and his child shall end her DAYS in
Kelat
1T is we'll, sire
Yet Ludin, mark me we'll; if the as
trologer resists, bring him corpse
Shall bring both father and child2'
Ay. Ludin. bring them both, for l
would have his child see him die and ere
another dawn she will be fatherless You
have my orders, Ludin
1t is well, sire, they shall be obeyed,'
returned the vizier. and with bland smile
he hastened from the kings presence.
The sun had reached its mid dav track
as the astrologer and Zelia returned to
the town. The corpse of the murdered
man bad been consigned to its last resting
place. and small stone had been raised
over his grave, to mark the final end of
the exile
Father spoke the fair haired girl, and
there was deep earnestness in her tone.
Well, Zela, say on
| would ask of you one request. father
Pray. what Is it child p asked the as
trologer in kind tone
That you would unfold to me the mys-
terry that hangs over the past
The past, Zelia p
Father, have you SO soon forgotten that
sainted one p
Whom, pray, Zelia p
Nv mother
4 shade of deep, mental agony shot
across the astrologer's darkened visage,
and tear coursed its way down his man
ly cheek he looked steadily into the
Young girls face for moment without
speaking as though he would read there
reason for the question
Zella, he at length said, in tone Of
strange calmness, Zelia l would not
plant hope in your young breast that
may too soon be blasted
90 then. is my mother livlng?' quick
~ asked the young maiden.
Living, child, did L say she were
living !?
O, father, DO not deceive me, but tell
me truly if she lives
Nay. Zeia, I will not deceive you
Then tell me, oh. viii you not, if my
mother lives p
The astrologer answered her not,
for sight met his view that brought
dark frown to his brow 1t was body of
horscmen dashing down the mountain
road. headed by Lndin.
Ielia, child do you see those horse
meu
Ay, / do father, yet -
fear they bode no good to us Zelia,'
murmured ITaftz, while his hand sought
the Eilt of his sword
O. may Allah be with us, and keep us
from the power of Ashraff.'
Fear not, Zelia, but let us enter the
tower
See, father they are coming this way,
and two have drawn their swords, return
ed the maiden, still lingering
Heed them not child; you need fear
no harm, as long as have strength to
WELD sword
%, father, it is for you l fear, sighed
the fair girl
'Zoiia. fear not but haste. child, and
the craven fools, If they CHERISH life, may
beware for he who first enters the tow
er shall be but food for the vultures--
Haste, Child. and we viii barricade the
door added Haftz, as the young maiden
still fingered.
o, father, you will protect me from
those men. win you not pleaded the fair
girl gIancing supplicatingly into his face
Xes- yes, IeiIa, until every drop of
blood oozes from my veins, exclaimed the
astrologer, folding the young girl to his
bosom, while hot scalding tears coursed
their way down hls manly cheeks.
Haftz might have meant what he said.
but it is certain shat he shuddered when
be thought Of the fearful odds he had to
contend with
He had barely time to finish his task,
ere the heavy tread Of the horsemen
we're heard without
Down With the door cried one
Hold, Haftz the astrologer may not
/ be within returned another
l. myself. saw him enter the tower,
cried third
Then down with the door again
cried the first speaker.
The conversation without was now in
terrapted hy heavy blows on the door.
that caused The astrologer's heart to beat