Burlington tri-weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1852-1855, 1855-05-23

country and home. Just then young Sar-
aeon lady OF marvellous beauty, called Lari-
ma CHANGED that way on her evening walk,
and was very much struck by the appearance
of the stranger. In truth as Gilbert stood /
there leaning so gracefully against the palm,
with his pale face cast down, and his soft
auburn hair half yelling his sad eycs-to say |
nothing of his long golden eyelashes, and his
curling s,lken moustache, he was a very hand |
some and interesting young man. and IN spii 9
of the gardeners dress AID that slavish
chain, looked as proud and noble as prince.
Zarna thought so and though very modest
AMI timid, drew near to speak few Kind
words to him. He looked up at the sound Of
her light step, end for the first time for many
months, he smiled gladdencd by the sight OF
her beautiful innocent face.
The ballad does not tell just how these two
became acquainted, but il is certain that
they soon grew to be excellent friends, and
managed to meet often, and have long walks
and talks in the shaded bowers of Mahmoud's
gardens. They first talked Of the birds and
| flowers, then Of the stars and the moonlight,
then of love and then of God. Gilbert told
Zarna of the Christians blessed faith, and
related all the beautiful and marvellous sto-
ries of our Lord Jesus, and Zarina wondered
and wept and believed.
Gilbert had learned the Saracrn language
and spoke it very we'll, but Zlrina did not
understand the English at all. The first
word Of that she ever spoke was yes which
Gilbert taught her TO say when he asked her
if she would be his wife, whenever he could
gain his freedom. But month after month,
a whole year went by, and Gilbert was still
a captive.
One day, when Zarina met her lover in a
shady garden walk she said in low gentle
voice, and with her tender eyes cast down,
81 am Christian now, dear Gilbett; pray
to God morning and night. Thou knowest |
am an orphan. love no one in all the
world but thee; then why should stay here?
why shouldst thou ling,r longer in bondage?
Let us fly to England? God will guide us
safely over the wide dark waters, for we are
Christians, and need not fear anything.
will meet thee to light on the seashore, and
bring gold and jewels enough to purchase a
vessel and hire skilful crew-and when, O.,
nv Gilbert, we are ahoat on the broad blue
sea, sailing towards thy home, thou wilt bless
me and love me-wiit thou not:"
The merchant kissed the maiden's hand
and promised to meet her on the strand at
the appointed hour. And he did not fail
but long he walked the lonely shore and no
lightfooted Zarina came fitting through the
deep night shadows and stealing to his side.
North. South, East and West he looked but
all in vain. The n ght was clear, the winds
whispered low, the little waves slid on the
shining shore and seemed TO invite him 70 sail
aw over them 70 the great seas beyond
but the stars overhead twinklel so mer:ly and
winked so knowingly that he had almost fan
cied they had betrayed the story Of his and
Zarna's love AMI intended flight At length
he heard quick light step and sprang for
ward with II joyful cry. Alas! it was no,
Zarina, but her faithful nurse, Safe, who
came to tell HIM that Zlrinas love hal been
discovered, and that her kinsman had con
fined her in Il strong guarded tower, and tina
{ he must escape alone. She sent him cas-.
ket OF gold ard gems, with promise that a.
soon as possible she would make her csc lpt
and come to him in London.
There really was nothing for Gilbert
= Beckett to do but to accept Zarina's casket O
: Jewels and follow her advice; SO after send
;, ing her many loving farewell messages b,
!, Safe, he went.
l He had prosperous voyage and reached
6 London in safety, where he gave his friend
! a joyful surprise, for they had given him u
/ for dead.
Year after year went by, and he saw moth
: ing, heard nothing Of his noble Saracar low
], Zarina, and at last i.e grew to think of he
= very sorrowfuily and tcnderly as of one deat
. But Zarina lived and lived for him whom
she loved, and who had taught her to Low
God. For years she was kept imprsonei
. in that lonely guarded tower near the sea-
, where she could only put her sorrow int,
: mournfu songs, and sigh her love out on tn
!, !, winds that blew toward England, and gaz
:, = up at the bright kindly stars, and pray 70
: Gilbert. But one night, while the guarc
= ;, slept, The brave Zarina stole out on the par
: apet, and leaped down many feet to tn
: ground below. She soon sprang up unharm
ed and made her way to the Strand, whel
!, she took passage on n foreign vessel 70
> Stamboul. Now all the English that th
: poor girl remembered were the words fGil
: bert and London These she said in sac
I. pleading tones to every one she met!-but
nobody understood what she meant by them
From Stamboul she went on her weary
: wandering way, from port 10 port and from
city to city, till she had journeyed through
: many strange countries repeating everywher
} these two words of English-but all in vain
for though everybody had heard of London
: none knew Gilbert. Yet the people wer
: very kind and gave her food and shelter, GU
: Of pity for her So face and in return for tn
: song which she sung.
!, At length after many months of lonely ant
! toilsome wandering she reached England
! and found herself amidst the busy hurry,n,
= throng Of London. She gazed about her be
: wildered and almost despairing at finding i
!. so large a placc-it would be so much hard
: or to find him. Yet still patiently and wear
J, lily up and down the long street she went
!. !. through market place and square-pas
!, churches and palaces, singing her mournfu
= songs, speaking softly and more and NOR
: sadly the one MOrd-0Gilhnrt.o