Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1870-12-09

ed the spot where Gracious lay PROSTATE
and motionless upon the marble pavement
The Egyptian knelt beside him and raised
bis head tenderly from the ground. He
knew deaths image we'll. for be had been
familiar with his dread presence since first
he flashed bis falchion on the battle field
Joy, joy. my Julia!" he exclaimed.
"He is not dead"
mot dead p gasped Julia, with delight
and wonder.
mo, not dead, but yet upon the brink
of the unfathomed lake that runs into e.
ternity."
"What means this rumor of attempted
murder ?" asked a voice. and looking uI
Zabdas beheld Antiochus with pitiless
expression upon his face. The Egyptian
sprang to his feet and confronted his col.
league sternly.
''See, noble Antiochus. the cursed hand
of some all-sacrilegious wretch hath struck
life's altar in its temple!" he cried
but there's hope be yet may live."
mot much" replied Antiochus, cold
ly, surveying the wounded man, ''the
blow was sure"
Indeed! We're you far off when he
was struck ?" demanded Zabdas, quickly
Antiochus changed color.
II was," he answered. shortly.
"Nor saw the wound inflicted ?"
"No."
How know you then the blow is sure,
who neither saw it given, nor were neal
when it was struck p
How am I not soldier-are moi
death and wounds familiar to me ?"
True, true" returned Zabdas, appar-
emily satisfied.
He summoned bis soldiers and had Grac.
chus conveyed to his quarters. and SC
cheered Julia with the assurance Of bel
lovers recovery that she withdrew with 9
lightened heart. A portion Of the soldiers
remained and. at a sign from Zabdas,
closed in around Antiochus, much to his
surprise.
''What means this p he demanded
haughtily-''a captive r.
Zabdas raised his finger warningly-
that finger which had soon after pointed
the decisive charge that brought victory.
"IfGracchus dies. Antiochus." he said
and there was a resonant ring in bis deer
voice, Tomorrow shall see you hanging
from the battlements. Think of 1.-THE
Egyptian has always kept his word"
The baf1ed traitor, and would. be mur'
derer, was led away prisoner. @
Gracious did not die; although hi:
wound was severe one he soon began te
mend. and Antiochus Was restored to lib
erty, but Zabdss had strict watch KEEP
upon his actions. Gracious recovery wat
fastened by the glad Intelligence that Ju,
liza was to be his. Zenobia, satisfied thai
her daughter really loved the young sol
dier, and swayed by the advice Of Zabdas,
had given her consent to their union. i
the worst bcfell them, and they were con.
quered (and hope had almost deserted her.
it were better that Julia died 10 the spring
Of life. with her young hearts wishes gra.
tilted, than live to share o conqueror's bed.
made hateful by its shameful splendor.
The night was fixed for the nuptials.
when Zabdas received startling intelli.
gence, brought by the trusty freedman,
Alexander, whom he had set to keep al, eye
upon the scheming Antiochus. The trai,
tor had fed from the city and joined the
emperor, and it was reported that he med.
itated treacherous assault upon the city
to take Zenobia captive. and to seize the
person of the princess at the very altar
and force her to be his.
Zabdas took energetic means to frustrate
the williams scheme. He surrounded the
temple with his choicest troops, and whilst
the only woman upon earth that had eve,
awakened one tender emotion in bis lone
ly heart exchanged her vows with anoth'
er-the vows that. like gulf, forever
barred him from her. even as faithful
dog, he watched over her happiness.
The nuptials were celebrated and Julis
and Gracious were united. and in the bliss
of that moment they we're unconscious o.
the strife that ragged without. Zabda.
met Antiochus as he led the Romans te
the attack. slew him with his own hand
and drove the invaders back. But this
attack was only the preliminary Of a grand
onslaught that Aurelian had planned thai
night.
Soon his serried legions began to pour
into the devoted city. The new-made
bridegroom was forced to leave his bride
and grasp his sword and mingle in the
strife. Zenobia hsstened to place bersel
at the bead Of her soldiers to animate and
inspire them. And foremost iu the bat
ties front lowered the warlike form o.
Zabdas the Egyptian.
All night long the battle ragged fiercely
in the streets. and when morning dawned
upon the ensanguined scene Palmyra hsd
fallen and Zenobia and Gracious were
captives to the emperor Of Rome. They
were brought into the presence of Azure
lian. T.
''See.- naughty queen" he said. 1.-The
evil of the pride with which you turned
our offerings of love forth on the winds
Palmyra is a name for something levelleC
with the dust of earth. and it's proud queer
but lackey to that power she greeted witt
such soorn."
''Taunt on" returned Zenobis. proud
ly, "were l your oonqueror | should tri
umph over you, 90 say your worst"