The Democratic advocate., 1871-04-06

| INV NioPPSu run hcf lips UuL was lD-
delibly marked upon his heart. Still
1t was hard alternative to betray his
country OF give up the girl he loved
aud that very love inspired him with a
scheme to obtain her, and homer would
not blush to own the means.
lie told Assad vaguely of this scheme,
and said he still remembered well the
secret path which led to the retreat of
his dear eountrymen; aud often (un.
known to any Persian) had he already
visited their abode. They loved him,
they would espouse his cause, aud help
to gain Zaphyra.
when am gone hcaco," he added,
ln conclusion, ''tell Ismail ! repent; bid
him despatch chosen band to the four
rocks north of the citadel, where the
aged palm tree stands by lonely cav.
ern: there will meet and conduct them
to the mine"
Assad, whose trust in the youth he
had reared was uubounded, promised to
obey, and Arax mounted his swiftest
stced and spurred quickly away
He passed the. Persian boundary,
galloped among the hills, penetrated IN
the secret way, and appeared among his
countrymcn in the vast cavern which
contained the precious rubies. They
hailed him with shouts of joy, for he
was their princc-their rajah ! Yes
Araxa was the sou of that slaughtered
rajah, beside whose dead body he had
been found on the battle field A cousin.
an ambitious chieitain named Hyder,
to whom he had delegated his authori.
ty, ruled his people in his absence.
Gladly would Hyder have had him re
maln forever absent, for he enyiously
coveted the rauk he held in trust. But
Araxa was too firmly seated in the pco-
pies heart for him to attempt to thrust
him forth. Nay, more, he durst not
attempt it.
| Araxa quickly made known the OBJ
ject of his journey to the mine. lie
directed the tribe TO collect such frag.
ments US P omised most u glittering
harvest, convey them to the palm tree
cavern, and deposit them deep in the
earth. There would he lead Ismail's
officers, who, by this stratagem, would
think the niue was found Having
gwen them his instructions, aud prom.
lsed speedily 10 revisit them with lis
bride, Araxa took his departure and
returned to Assad's dwelling.
All Glanced as he hoped. Ismail
deceived by The rlittering snec;mons
found by his officers in the palm tree
cavern, readily gave his sanction for the
nuptials Of Araxa aud Zaphyra. The
great hall of the fortress was decorated
for the purpose, and all the diruitaries
Of the province assembled to craco the
nuptials. Zaphyra, believing that ber
lover had BETRAYED his country would
have hesitlted to rltil,y her VOWS but a
whispered assurance irom Araxa d;s.
PEELED her scruples. She trusted In his
honor, aud awaited patiently the exnl,.
nation.
Scarcely had the priest pronounced
the nuptial benediction thnn n man.
rushed iranticaliy into the hall, ex.
claiming, veheulenily; a3H.l
8 Where, where is the governor? ?
suspend the marriage r is.
Astonlshmeut seized upon all present
at these words. lsmail was euragcd at
the interruption. a,.s s /,
What bold presumptuous slave dare
thus intrudc upon our hallowcd rights?"
he cried. ar i.Hs M
" Mighty Ismail," answered tho in.
truder, who was no other than Zaphyra's
rejected suitor, Nasrod, las overlook.
cd our Pcgsiaus working 1T the spot
supposed to be the minc, aud yainly.
trying to discover treasure, too soon
| exhausted, a Hindoo of Araxa,s tr;he
rode swiftly towards US, and scofiins at
our useless labors, Fools said he. why
search for mines in heaps Of barren
sand? Ifyou would your master S honor
save, deliver this letter before Araxa's
marriage with Zaphyra. This said. ho
! placed the letter ia NV hands mt snurs
to his horse, and fed across the desert
Araxa and Zanhvra were s,ro,,,l.
| agitated by these words Inow;ns bo;y
much truth there was IN the d;sciosuss.
| but Ismail was ineredulous -
"Nasrodp he answered awell ILnow
your love for Zaphyra and ;e,lousy bas
brought you here IN an ot,smn, ~ AZ
stroy Araxa's happiness