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

indeed strange that |, who have so oft
seen him, knew him not"
+" 1t is not strange, Haftz, for the mask
completely conceals his features
Yet should | not have known that
voice q
since then =
Yet does Iago know of this 2
No, he does not as yet; but ere long
it will be revealed to him, and from that
hour, proud Ashraff, thy star viii pale
Tie astrologer spoke not, for he seemed
wrapt in thought. and the stranger rcgar.
ded his anguish-wrought features, for
some tirle in silence.
Strange. mysterious fell from
Haftz's lips, and the shade upon his brow
grew darker Yet his strangely agitated
manner passed unnoticed by the diving
man, for at that instant his features be
came distorted with pain, and deep
groan escaped his lips.
My strength is fast leaving NE. and
feel thai | am dying murmured lie; vet
Haftz, thou friendof my oyhood, would
ask of you one bequest, ere We part for
ever on earth
Name it, and it is grauted,s quickly
returned the astrologer, glancing sadly
on the pale. wan features of the stranger.
Haftz, | would have you promise me
in the presence of the gods, not to reveal
to Ludin who the conspiritor was
/ do, returned the astrologer
1t is well and LIlain. thou art saved
from pang Of anguish that would nearly
break assunder thy heart strings
Y ct would that he had fell instead of
thee murmured Haftz in bitter tone
Nay. murmur not fer the gods Will
prosper thee and fair Zelia, guard her
as though she were your own.
He could say no more. bat sank back
on his couch exhausted, and for few
moments. life struggled fearfully with
death for the mastery but the conflict
was soon ended, and the stranger still
lived
The priest, Haftz has he arrived ? he
at length asked in a feeble voice.
He awaits without: shall | summon
him p
Yes admit him, for I would see him
ere I die.
The door opened, and TIE good priest
Belad. entered the room.
This is wild night, holy father for
a soul to pass to the land of shades half
sighed the wounded man, as his glance fell
on the priest.
Think nor Of that my son. re.
turned Belad, but place thy thoughts on
that land to which thy soul viii soon wing
its way
NV thoughts are with the gods
= Al -
trust it may yet holy father, I
would he alone with thee, that may un-
burden to you my sorrows
It shall be as you wish added the as
trologer, turning to leave the room yet
if we meet not again On earth adieu
'Adieu, Haftz. nurmurod the dying
man. in a faint whisper; and the next
moment the stranger was alone with the
priest
An hour wore away the confession
had been heard, and HAITI and the fair
Xelia had returned 20 the side Of the dy-
ing man.
He still lives mused the priest. earn
estly watching the palid features Of the
sufferer
True, Belad. yet it is only for mo-
rucnt.' returned the as.rolocer: for he
knew by the icy clilliness Of the hand
that he held. that the fountain was most
dry
His pilgrimage on Garth has nearly
drawn to close spake a tall person in
deep, hollow voice
The speaker was clad in tie coarse
garb of plebian, and his frame was Of
the same mould as the astrologer's. yet
be seemed not so strongly built. while
his features were concealed by black
mask, that gave him a frigbful appear
auce.
They all started back with q strange
sensation of fear, as their glance fell on
the mysterious being before them; for
his silent entrance and deep hollow voice.
bad caused dread to seize upon them
and even Haftz, as bis gaze fell on the
mask turned deadly pale. bis iron frame
trembled ike the agitatcd leaf Of the
aspen.
The dying man reused up, as the sound
of that voice fell upon his ear. and half
started from his couch but as his glance
met the tall form Of the mask, he sank
back with heavy groan and his eounte-
nance became all wracked with pain.
Then YOU still remenbt. the chapel IN
the mountain gorge, and the Turk NUT
tered the mask, bending over the couch.
But It was unneard, save By those
around, for the soul of tie stranger had
! taken its departure from earth, and death
/ had claimed his victim.
For a moment the strange being lin
gered beside the corpse, and then left
the tower as silently as he had entered it
The night-wind howled madly without,
and the rain beat fercely against the
windows Of the old tower; yet Haftz
needed it not, for he was busy with other
thoughts.
Charter EI.-The old Tower.
Midnight at length came, yet the storm
still ragged on. and the thunder rolled in
heavy peals that shook the old tower to
its foundation, and the vivid flashes of
/ forked lightning shot fantastical along