The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1864-08-12

her that he had been summoned to
join the troops waging war against
the Turks. She was almost broken.
hearted at the separation. But this
blow was nothing TO what followed.
One night courier arrived, GOV
cred with dust, at the pavilion. He
bore perfumed miSsive from Am
ra's royal father, announcing his in
tcntion TO visit his summer palace
the following day. The letter con.
cludcd rs follows; "The young Prince
Haiiz, TO whom you were betrothrd
in childhood, will accompany me in
order TO consumate tue nuptials. BE
ready, therefore, 10 greet us with
your richest attire, train Of your
handsome slaves, and. what viii be
even more tlattcring TO ! our future
lord, yonr sweetest smile The priuce
is noble looking, and is~as powerful
as he is handsome. l am proud TO
give hin. my fayorite daughter. Al
lah-il allah"
This epistlc, as II may he supposed,
opened Amra's eye, to the folly, or,
If not the folly, the hopelessncss of
hcr love. Had her snitor been with
in call she would have thrown hci
self into his arms, willingly sacrifc
ing wealth, rank, and fathers bless.
ing for a humble condition of life
shared with the young hunter who
had won her virgin heart But he
was far away, and no shadow cf cs
cape was open to her. She saw with
agony incXpressiblc that submission
was her only course but she tho't
day and night how terrible would he
her lovers anguish when, on his re.
turn from the wars, after seeking for
her in vain at the usual trysting
place. he would learn that she was
lost to him forever
The conversation between her and
her attendant, with which our story
begins, had been on this mo,Irnful
theme, and it was the last convcrsa
tion, that they could ever hold on the
subject, for that evening the Caliph
and Prince llaiiz were expected on
the pavilion.
1t was with many tears that the
young princess yielded herself to the
hands Of her attendants, TO be attir
ed for the approaching interview. At
last. arraycd in garments of the rich
est texture, and dccked with the
choicest gems, she came forth from
the inner bower of the harem, and
took her seat on the cushions of the
receiving room. This was large
apartment, with walls painted in ar
abesqucs of blue and silver, and Il
divan of blue running around it.. The
floor was of tesselated marble. In
the center Of tue apartment q foun-
tain threw up its sparkling jet, diiras.
ing refreshing GOODNESS around
Through the latticcs view was ob
toincd of the pavilion, which. full
OF fragrant trees, at every gush Of
the breeze sent its aromatic odors
through the apartment.
The heart Of Amra beat fast, for
shc knew that while the slaves had
been attiring her. the Caliph and her
guest arrived and she expected ev-
cry moment to see the curtain lifted
from the entrance, and hear the GU.
much in waiting announce both her
visitors. But she was disappointed,
for only her parent appeared.
She sprang up with instructive ar,
fection, forgetting every thing but
that her father was before her, ant
threw her arms around his neck. Or
his part he returned her embrace
fondly, and then holding her ut arms
length, gazcd proudly TT his favorit,
child.
"Thou art beautiful as ever, IN,
rose Of roses" he said, only Tn,
check is palcr than it's wont--aud
that, too, when ! had looked TO Sc,
it so bright; for even n Caliph'
daughter may be proud of the alli
anco l bring YOU
Poor Amra, who ut these word
remembered all her troubles, bars
into tears.
Weeping said the Caliph, il
surprise, and with anger in his tones
"why, shame on you, girl, this will
spoil your eyes. have promised
Prince IIallz that he shall sec YOU Iii
rectly, and now you will look like
fright, La-illah--ilsallah is to,
bad"
Still the girl wept on, and nov
more convulsiyelv than ever, till n
last her fathers heart was touched
and his tone of anger changed to on
Of concern.
"What ails thee, darling?" he SAT-
fondly. is it any thing thy father
the Caliph, can do for thee? Ar
thy jewels scant, thy wardrobe want
ing, or thy slaves not handsom
enough--what is it2
This tone Of sympathy and atfec
ton went to Amra's heart, and CAV
, her faint hopes that the revelation c
her story and an appeal to her fath
. ers generosity might not prove M
successful. She looked up, therefore
} through her tears, and said
] "Oh! father, save me from thi
marriage / do not love this strang
Prince, whom have not seen, bu
another
But when she had proceeded thu
| far the aspect Of the Callph terrific
her into silence, his face grew blac
with raoe hia auaa ehot Ara ond /