The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1891-05-16
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CHAPTER. Nv.

~ Ik:
Il htleo,s old scoman stood before her.
Surrounded by her women the Prin-
cess Bru, looking heavy eyed and weary,
reclined upon = diysp.. Two days and
nights. her tears had flowed and tho
beauty Of her face was mazred. She re-
allied that her lover had NO chance OF
escape, and the thought Of the dresry
life before her well niaANaFoye her mad.
"Why, oh, why did hc touch the treach-
erous wines" she would cry out in the
still watches Of the night. ''Why did
he vaunt my charms and talk OF his
darling nosel Hamasssr, O Hamassaz, I
cannot let you die"
Her women regretted her sad fate, and
in gentle ways offered her what consola-
ton lay in their power. But they made
NO impression ON her bruised and bleed,
ing heart. Their task was fruitless be.
cause the emperor, distrustful of himself,
refused to see his child, or let her plead
her lovers cause in my way whatever.
As Bru reclined that morning hstless-
~ upon her couch, and watched the sun
beams chase the brilliant colors ON the
rugs, her face wore . hopeless look, as
though she had played her last coin ON
the black and the red hadhvon At last
came forward one of hen damsels and
sto,,d near the couch. as
"Weep not. fair princess" first she
said, turning kindly eyes upon the EN-
peror's child. There yet may be way
to save the prince"
"What mean you. girly' asked Bru
coldly, though with some surprise. ''De-
lude me not with false and heetiny
hopes"
"Have you not heard" continued the
maiden unabashed, ''of . wise old wo-
man who lives in the mountains many
miles from here, and watches from her
cave the changing stars? From tho book
of nature she learns strange secrets that
we know not of. I have heard it said
that her mind is quick, although her
fAc" Is queer. Perhaps this woman could
a'l, ise you WELL"
We catch at ut ava who drown"
exclaimed the Pnncess Bru, ''send
straight for this old crooc. And tell the
messenger to ride right hard and bring
her back at once"
rAe day wore ON 70 night, tho night
tc day, and still the princess, sleepless
AZ before, awaited eagerly the coming of
the dame. The sun arose aud shone in
splendor on . city plunged in gloom.
For the people loved Hamassar, and felt
that his doom was hard. In vain they
had sent petitions, md petitioners to
plead before the king. His face retained
it, sternness, and he refused to hesr
their plea.
High noon had come before the
Princess Bru. still listless from her sor-
row, heard from her woman that the
bag was there.
admit her quickly" said the un-
happy girl, watching the hangings
eagerly.
Ahideous old woman stood before her,
dry A. twig and bent with the weight
Of years. In her eyes, however. burned
the light Of q searching mind, and one
forgot her ugliness when she deigned to
smile. No obcisance made she as she
entered the royal presence, but, leaning
on her stick, awaited the words Of Bru.
''You come from far, good mother.
Accept my thanks. You must be weary.
Seat yourself upon this couch that You
may talk in comfort"
The kind words of the princess seemed
to please the aged crone, for she smiled
grimly and sunk down upon the seat.
Must Prince Hamassar die, wise
womany' asked the emperor's child, her
voice trembling Us she felt the import of
her words.
Il cannot tell, my child. What do
my mountains know about Hamassar?
Az came hither I heard that he had
disobeyed your fathers late decree"
""Tis true; but is there no escape: I
cannot, oh, cannot Let him die"
rushed around her, tanning her devoutly
and pressing her to drink. She touched
her lips to the cooling water and seemed
refreshed. Thcn calmly to her guest she
told the story Of Hamassar's fall, and
how it was that his head had not yet
fallen from its trunk. In silence the
old woman listened. ind when the prin-
cess ceased spoke not . word. After .
time she said: