Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1855-01-31
Gelefte D O ale.
I'll A f 7 Z:
OR, THE ASTR0L0GER0F ISPAHAN
A SIAN STORY.
By THOMAS d. MITCHELL.

Chapter III-Continued.
THE door was strongly barricaded but
it could not long resist the heavy blows
that were showered upon it, and with
heavy crash it fell in
One of the horsemen quickly sprauo
into the breach, but it was only to meet
his death. Haftz received him on the
point of his sword, and he fell at his feet
a corpse. The second and third met the
same fate, but the fourth was more for
tunate, and be parred off the astrologers
blows until two Of his companions joined
him
Up, Zelia, up I cried the astrologer,
retreating towards the stone steps that
led to the upper part of the tower.
Why this resistance. Uaftz surreu-
der, and all shall be WE'LL rejoined Ludiu,
entering the tower.
Never was the firm reply.
viii you then still resist p
Ay, will, until every drop of blood
oozes from my veins, for my home is sa-
cred, and it shall not be sacrileged by
your base herd
Down with him, then, my men = cried
Ludin, drawing his sword.
The flight of steps were narrow, and
but one could ascend at once; and as the
soldiers met the stern glance of the astrol-
oyer, they shrank back, for they knew
they had to deal with one who was unborn
to fear
'Ghur, strike the babbler down. said
Ludin, addressing a strong framed man
who stood near him.
The vain soldier sprang up the steps,
confding in his strength, but the next mo-
ment his headless trunk fell at the feet of
his companions.
How long the conflict would have lasted
would have been uncertain, had not two
of the soldiers forced their way in at the
windows, and after short struggle, the
astrologer and his child were made cap
tives
Well may thy young heart feel sad, fair
one, and thy head droop upon thy breast,
for thou art now captive-doomed to
pine away and die, like some Gagged dove
in the nest of the fierce vulture.
| The glorious beauties of the skies were
gradually blending into the gray of eve
ming. as the small party with their prison
ers disappeared among the windings of
! the mountain paths, yet they did not no
Z
upon their track
The dark shades of night were darkling
the western horizon as the monk, for such
he proved to be, drew up his steed by the
side of Ludin
What would you with me, sir strang-
er 2 asked the vizier, in hurried tone,
glancing suspicic usly at the monk.
L would speak with the captive, Zelia,
returned the stranger, in a bold, manly
voice
! Not here, sir monk
'Ludin, viii you not grant me this last
requestr
Nay, stranger, for she is now the kings
captive
Yet would speak with her for mo.
ment'
Not for a moment, sir monk.
Ludin, didst thou ever have sister
whom you loved-loved wildly"
[ have had, stranger, yet -
sThen would you not crave one parting
word ere you were torn from her, per
chance never to meet again on earth 2
1t is we'll, stranger, | grant you mo
ment's interview with the captive, return
ed Ludin, refining in his stced. Aside
men, and let him pass
The monk turned the head of his charg
er, and rode up to the side of the fail
Zelia For moment be leaned over hi:
horses neck, and whispered something il
her ear, and then catching her up in hi:
arms, he placed her on his own steed ane
dashed down the mountain path ere th'
soldiers could prevent him
sBalbec, take a guard of four with you