The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-04-16

the roof before the door of the beautiful
Princess. Then the bird few away with
a shrill scream that awakened the young
traveller. He arose in terror, gazed about
him, and began to walk up and down
the roof, from which he could descry
only the rocks below aud the clouds
about. In the distance he saw the fast
disappearing pinions of the bird that had
brought him there, and sharp pang
smote his heart as the full measure of his
wretchedness was realized.
Suddenly he descries woman advanc-
ing toward him. She is young and
beautiful, and with commanding air,
vet gracious and kind. 1t was the
Princess taking her daily stroll on the
roof, who, astonishcd at the sight of the
youth, exclaimed: "Who art thou9
How camest thou here?'
II am Jew of Acco," was the reply.
'sIt was bird that brought me-"
"But you are tired and tattered," she
continued. "Your face bears the marks
of misery. You look troubled and suf-
felirg. Come, tell me your history"
He told her of his wanderings, and
how he had sunk to rest in the skeleton
of an OK, and then of his flight through
the air. Aud she listened cntranced to
his story, admiring his courage and SYM
pathizing with his sorrows. She had
him clothed in new garments. Her SER
wants bathed and anointed him. Then
his eyes shone with new radiance and his
whole being assumed lovelier aspect.
As they spoke and stroiled together
kindred tastes were revealed. For the
first time the Princess realized the beauty
in her fathers words which he had
written decades before: tMy friend is
mine and am his" while the youth, as
he contemplated the solitary tower and
the imprisoned maiden, exclaimed with
Solomon: ga lookup garden is my sister
bride, locked-up spring, sealed foun-
tain!".
The north wind blew and the south
wind blew. They loved, for both were
beautiful to each other, and the world
was before them. What should they do?
Fly and seek happiness in some distant
spot far away from the Kiag2
"Nay, nay, beloved" she exclaimed.
"MJ fathers wisdom would discover our
hidng-place, and his chieftain Benaiah
would drag us back to Jerusalem"
"There is one resource, dearest, he re.
ioined, after pause. ssMarry me here. u
"NIarry youa Yes, that I will; but
how can we marry according to the law
of Israel? Wnere is the ink with which
to write the marriage certi6cate2"
"Despair not, beloved. I am prepared
for every emergency" He barred his arm,
and opening a small vein, used his blood
as ink, and the marriage was secretly SOL
emnized, with the words: 'May God be
my witness to-day, and the angels Michael
and Gabriel"
Their spell of happiness was brief.
The custodians of the Princess were
thrown inlo the widest CONSERVATION
when they discovered what had taken
place. They stormed, they ragged they
threatened But it was too late to argue
with the pair. No more time was to be
LOST, so they hastily sent the swiftest
footed of their number to the royal pal
ace, and the story was soon told.
Solomon at once ordered his mantle to
be brought. 1t was of green silk, inter,
woven with fine gold and embroidered
with images of all kinds. He sat upon
it, and swiftly was borne on the wind to
the solitary tower.
"Where is the youth" he cried, as he
gained entrance, "who has dared marry
my daughter2'
"Nay, father" the Princess pleaded,
"be not angry with him. Reproach me,
but spare him, for love is our master, and
thou didst write in thy Song of Songs,
tlove is as strong as death. ,"
$50 thou art the man who has pre-
sumed to marry Princess" he ex-
claimed, scornfully, as the youth was
brought to him.
30 King, be not too severe. I but
obeyed the words of Solomon: Many
waters are not able to quench love, nor
can the rivers flood it eway.'"
"Who is thy father, and where thy
dwelling place3" inquired the King.
II am the son of poor Jew of Acco,
was the answer. "Altamar is his name. "
And the youths heart grieved as he
thought of his family's poverty.
"What!" quickly rejoined the King.
"The son Altamar of Acco, the poorest
man in Israeli"
"Yes, O King" and the youth trem-
bled, but regained his courage as he saw
the Princess step forward and take her
place proudly at his side.
"He is my husband" she exclaimed,
according to the laws of Israel. With
his blood he has sealed out troth."
"He is indeed thy husband and my
son" said Solomon, beckoning both to
approach his throne. "Thou art the
very man who the stars told me was des-
tined for my daughter. Thy name, thy
lineage, thy estate proclaim thee the
same. God is the ruler of the universe.
Blessed is He who giveth wife to man" "
-Harper's Basar.