Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-01-09
THE LOVED AND LOST ONE.
A JEWISH STORY

ing the towers and temples, the magnificent
palaces and splendid baths of Jerusalem. It's
rich glow ilumined the curtains Of purple mist
that hung like delicate drapery over every
object. The whole view was strkingly lovely;
but no part of the city presented scene of
more delicious and inviting luxury than the
gardens of Benladdi, where flowers of every
hue and fruits of every variety, with vines and
bnbbling brooks and fountains combined for the
enjoyment of the favored mortal who now re-
clined on the fowery turf apparently watching,
with restless and eager anxiety the approach
of some one from a small arched door in the
wall. His large dark eyes were bright with
hope, and his cheeks glowed with impatenee.
II am weary of this suspense, this agony of
anxiety" said Benladdi, rising from his rural
couch and walking towards the door, which he
pushed gently open. "She comes not" said
ne, pacing the avenue with hurried step. He
pressed his hands upon his brow, and said
aloud, "Zeluma thou wilt destroy thy friend,
and ruin thine own peace, for an idle VOW.
Surely, thou canst not mean to keep It'll" con-
tinued he, taking letter from tbs folds of his
robe, on which he gazed earnestly
While thus employed tall and beautifully
graceful female glided in with noseless step
and stood before him, with her hands crossed
upon her bosom, and her finely formed head
bent gently forward. Her dress, though not
rich, was well adapted to display her exquisite
ly moulded form to the best advantage A
drapery of delicate texture fell from her shoul-
ders, and partly covered the linen tunic, which
was fitted to her shape by bread girdle of
pale blue. Her raven locks were bound back
by a filet from her lofty, polished brow, though
a few of the glossy tresses had strayed from
their confinement and rested on her swan-like
aaly F,sIA ntn -.
though dark was so pure that you might al
most see the blood mantling through the veins
Her eyes were concealed by their dark lashes,
that seemed resting their silken fringes on her
blushng cheek; but no one could look on her
as she stood in her attitude Of proud humility,
without expecting to meet their glances with
admiration.
"Ieluma," said the delighted Benladdi, bend
ing as if in alteration, and pressing the hem of
her drapery to his lips, "Zeuma, have you
come to bless me? have you come to say the
blissful words, Benladdi, am thine p )"
Not sound was heard from the rosy lips of
the maiden, who raised her dark eyes to his
face, and fixed them for a moment with timid
tenderness on his expressive and love- -beaming
countenance.
"Hear me once more, Zeluma," said he, TAX
ing her hand, "and do not let an idle whim or
promise given when, simple child, you hung
upon your mothers neck or frolicked at her
knees-oh do not let such a promise ruin the
peace of him who loved you almost from the
moment he saved your precious life !"
my VOW is registered in Heaven, Benladdi,
for it was made TO my dying mother, and it
may not be broken" said Zeluma, firmly
though mildly.
"Your mother herself if she were alive,
would pleadmy cause, for she always welcomed
Benladdi as friend, and miserable as she was,
found some comfort in my society. She told
me that you was a Jewish maiden, borne far
from your country and home.
Zeluma started at the sound of home, and
pressing her hands upon her bosom, said "Ere
the Passover, which is not one moon from us,
Benladdi sha'l know my heart"
"Thanks and blessings rest on thee maiden,
for the promise; but give me some sign that
may hope you will share my fortunes. ! am,
as you know, free to choose among the daugh-
ters Of my people. My father, before his death,
said, "if thou lowest the maiden, make her thy
wife; she is virtuous and lovely, and will be to
thee as Rebecca was to Isaac" Look but once
upon me with the eyes Of love Zeuma, that
may feel the joy of hope, and will wait pa
ticntly thy bidding"
The cheeks of Zeuma flushed deeply; the
| SlOuuCHJ DlOOu SuHuSeu LOT II moment over ner
neck and lrow ; and though she trembed with
emotion, she still concealed the expression OF
her melting eye. But Benladdi did not despair
when he saw the tender smiles that played in
the dmples and lines round her beautiful mouth,
though she opened it only to say, liam bound
by an oath; : and turning from him, walked to
the small door through which she had entered
the garden. Ere she closed it, she asked,
"Will Benladdi listen to the songs OF the min-
strels before the evening mealy They wait
now in the banqueting room"
Il have no taste for their loud minstrelsy,
and shall leave the banquet early to wander
where the palm lifts its branches to the breeze,
and where the brook, as it laves the roots OF
the willows, makes such sounds as Zeluma
loves. Will you, too seek the evening breeze,
when the moonlight trcmbles upon the rill?
Say, Zcluma, will you meet me at the grove of
palms?"
al am here to do thy bidding, Benladdi !;
and if thou sayest 10 thy servant, co.
She blushed and hesitated, while Benladdi,
who had advanced to her. put his hands to her
lips, and said, "hush, hush, Zeluma Why
will you offend me with such words? Thou
knowest full well that thou art free as air. /,
Zeuma-yes, ! am the slave; | will not hold
thee moment, by any bond but that of affec-
ton" ...
81 know thy generous nature, and l feel thy
nobleness; and yet, if it will not offend Ben
laddi, ! shall wait with the maidens, and re-
main after the banquet with Rachel, though
love the music of the ril better than the song
of the minstrel Thou must look upon me
only as thy bondswoman until my vow is ac-
complished; then Benladdi shall know all tha
is passing here" She pressed her hand upon
her heart, smiled and disappeared.
"Yirtuous and wise, as beautiful and mod
est, /" murmured Benladdi, as he turned slowly
away and walked towards the palace.
The young maiden went quietly to her en-.
ployment Though her heart beat .oyously il
her bosom, the fear that she had not fulfilled
her vow, that she was even then breaking
every moment, would sometimes cross he
bright and lovely vision, like dark cloud on =
brilliant sky. But she would say, MY moth
CT never meant should not love goodness an
virtue; and who that knosos Bcnladdi, does no
looe himp Beside, there arc but a few day
wanting to complete the time when | may opeI
the mysterious packet and know why | ma,
not love and marry until eighteen summer
| haua ooI Dorha,e ~ oh.