Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1874-09-03
THE THREE BEAUTIFUL PRIN.
CESSES.

Early IN his reign, Mchammed, of
Granada, had found among the captives
in one of his forays into the territories
of the Christians, damsel of tran
scendent beauty. Tie fair captive, and
the old duenna who had been taken with
her, were consigned to the royal harem,
and in due time the former made the
Moorish sovereign called the left
handed king the proud and happy
father of three lovely daughters, all
born at birth. Mohammed could have
wished they had been sons, but con-
soled himself with the idea that three
daughters at birth were pretty well
for a man somewhat stricken in years,
and left-handed. As usual with all
Moslem menarchs, he summoned his
astrologers on this happy event. They
cast the nativities of the three princess
es, and shook their heads.
Daughters, o king said the sages,
$ are always precarlous property; but
those will Iaost need your watchfulness
when they arrive at manageable age !;
at that time gather them under your
wings, and trust them to no other guard
ianship."
The threefold birth was the last matr1-
monial trophy of the monarch; his
queen died soon after, bequeathing his
infant daughters to his love, and to the
fidelity of the discreet Kadiga-for such
was the name of the duenn
Acting upon the advice of his astrolo-
gists, the cautious monarch sent his
daughters under the care of the Kadiga
to be reared IN the castle of Salobrena.
This was sumptuous palace surround
ed by strong Notifications and situated
on the summit of hill which overlooks
the blue waters of the Mediterranean
sea. Here the princesses remained,
surrounded by all kinds of Injuries and
amusements. Years rolled on smooth
ly and serenely, the discreet Kadiga
watching her precious charge with un-
remittting care. At a corner of the
garden which clothed the side of the
hill on which the royal castle of Salo-
brena was built, was small watchtower.
fitted up as pavilion, with latticed
windows to admit he sea-breeze. Here
the princeeses-whCse names were
Zayda, Zorayda, Zorahayda-used to
pass the sultry hours of midday, tax.
ing their siesta, or noontide slumber
Here, as the sisters were enc day in.
haling the healthful breezes waftedove
the azure bosom of the Mediterranean
their attention was attracted by galley
which came coasting along with meas
ured strokes of the oar. As it drew
near they observed that it was filled
with armed men. The galley anchored
at the foot of the tower in which the,
sat, and a number of Moorish soldier.
landed On the narrow beach, conducting
several Christian prisoners. The fail
occupants of the tower peeped catiousl,
through the close jalousies of the lat
tice, which screened them from sight
and perceived among the prisoners thre
Spanish cavaliers, richly dressed. The,
were in the flower of youth, and of nobl
presence: and the lofty manner in whicl
they carried themselves, though loade,
with chains, and surrounded with enc
mics, bespoke the grandeur of thei
souls. The princesses breathed with in
tense and breathless interest. Coope,
MP as they had been In this castle anon,
female attendants, seeing nothing of tn
male sex but black slaves, or the rud
QSLeTmen OF the Sea-cOdSt, III Is not q
be wondered at that the appearance o
three gallant cavaliers, in the pride O
youth and manly beauty, should Pre-
duce In their unsophisticated bosom
sensations closely bordering upon tn
agreeable.
Did ever nobler being tread IN
earth than that cavalier in crimson
cried Zayda, the eldest of the sisters
See how proudly he bears himself, a
though all around him were his slaves |!
"But notice that one in green ]" Ell
claimed Zo.ayda. "What grace wha
elegance what spirit y
The gentle Zorahayda said nothing
but she secretly gave preference to tn
chevalier in green.
Weeks and months glided on, the TAI