Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-08

again, for the thorns had torn his raiment,
and his sandals had long since dropped from
his feet. He had thought that his misery
must move even the hard-hearted to pity, so
he had knocked at door and begged, bitter
as it had been to him. However, he got
nothing from the peasant but scorn-
full admonition that such a strong
young fellow as he might work for
his living, and leave begging to the
weak and old. A second had threatened
him with thrashing; however, when he had
gone some way further, feeling very crest
fallen, a young woman, who had seen him
at the niggard's door, came after him and
put a cake of bread with few dates into his
hand, hastily telling him that the village
had been heavily taxed in the course of
Pharoah's progress, or she would have given
him something better. No banquet had
ever before tasted as sweet to him as this un-
looked for gift, which he ate by the next
well; but he did not confess to Kasana that
it had been embittered by the doubt as to
whether he should obey Joshua's counsel
and return to his own people, or follow his
hearts desire which drew him to her. He
had started again, still undecided; but fate
seemed to have taken the matter into her
own hands. After he had walked on about
half an hour longer, on reaching the edge of
about his own age, sitting by the wayside
and moaning as he held one of his feet in
both hands. He had gone up to him at his
call, and to his surprise he had recognized
him as Hornecht's runner and messenger,
with whom he had often spoken.
"Apool our nimble Nubian?' inter-
rupted the lady; and Ephraim went on to
tell her that this messenger had been sent to
carry letter to Prince Siptah in all haste,
and the swift-footed lad, who was wont to
outrun his masters horses, would have
flown like an arrow and have reached his
destination in two hours if he had not trod-
den on a fragment of broken glass, bottle
broken BY some chariot wheel, and the cut
was dreadfully deep.
"And you helped him?" asked Kasana.
"Could / do otherwise?" was the answer.
'fHe had half bled to death already. and
was as pale as q ghost. So carried him to
the nearest canal and washed his gaping
wound, and applied some ointment he had
with him."
81 put it in his pocket year ago in a
small pot, )" said the nurse, who, being easily
moved, was wiping her eyes; and Ephraim
confirmed the fact, for Apoo had mentioned
it with gratitude. Then he went on:
''I tore my tunic into strips and bound his
all the while to make haste, and held out
the token and the note which his master has
intrusted to him, and knowing nothing Of
the misfortune which had befallen me, he
charged me to carry the letter to the Prince
in his stead. Oh how gladly I undertook
to do so, and the second hour was not ended
when I reached the camp. The letter is in
the Princes hands, and here am /, and 1
can see by your face that you are well
pleased. AS for me-so happy as am to
sit here at your feet and gaze up at you, SO
thankful as 1 am to you for having listened
to me so patiently, surely no one ever was
in this world And if they put me in chains
1 will bear it quietly, if only you remain
kind. My woes have been SO many; have
neither father nor mother-nor any one to
love me only you IL love none but you, and
you will not repel me, will you ?"
He spoke the last words like one in a
frenzy. Carried away by his passion. and
incapable, after the terrible strain Of the
last DAYS and hours, Of governing the
overwhelming storm of his feelings, the
lad sobbed aloud. He was scarcely
past childhood yet, he had only him
self to trust to, he had been torn and
severed from all that had ever upheld and
controlled him, and. like young bird TAX
ing refuge under its mothers wings, he hid
his face in Kasana's lap, weeping violently.
Deep compassion came over the tender
hearted Young woman, and her eyes too were
moist. She gently laid her hand on his
hair; and as she felt the shudder which ran
through the boys whole frame, she raised
his head in both hands, kissed his forehead
and cheeks, and smiling through tears, as
she looked into his face, said:
"You poor, foolish boyI Why should /
not be kind, or ever repeE you? Your uncle
| is the man dearest to me in the world, and
Won are as son to him. To serve him and
YOU have already consented to do that
which had always utterly loathed and re-
fused. But now, come what may, and
whatever Others may think or say of me,
| will not care, if only can succeed in doing
that for which will give my life and all ]
| hold most dear. Only wait. poor vehement
boy." and she again kissed his checks. u
will smoothe the way for you tool Now,
enough OF this.
She spoke firmly, and the words were
enough to check the excited lads words
But suddenly she sprang up, crying IN
terrified haste: "Fly, fly, begone instantly .
A mans footsteps approaching the tent,
and o warning word from the waiting
woman, had brought the brief command tc
| hesana's lips, ana Epntalm Keen ear nau
told him what had aroused her fears, and
drove him forthwith into the dark chamber,
| whence he could satisfy himself that q
moments hesitation would have betrayed
| him. The curtain of the tent was lifted
and n man walked straight through theante
room to the lighted apartment, where Ka
1 sana--lor that, too, he could hear-greeted
some new guest only too warmly and az
though surprised at his coming 50 late.
The waiting woman Bnatched mp her own