San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-04-01
CHAPTER III.

ShAI EN- Ill
In solemn council the highest court
WAS met. The emperor, looking old and
worn, gazed down upon vast, impatient
throng. while near him his weeping
daughter sought in vain to find Hamassar
through her tears The audience hall
was packed, for Hamassar's case had made
great noise, and from the distant corners
of the land the people came to hear his
fate. Perhaps they all had hopes that if
the emperor gave him pardon the harsh
decree would be revoked, and once again
their nimble tongues might chatter of
themselves Men from the mountains
and men from the plains, quiet villagers
and noisy herdsmen, mobiles high in rank
and beggars from the streets jostled each
other in the shadow of the throne. Never
Before had so large crowd attended
session of the court.
The Princess Bru was a handsome
woman, dark haired. dark eyed and tall.
Her face, clean cut, was somewhat
proud, but her smile, though sad today,
told of kindly heart. All hearts went
out to her as she dried her tears and
looked about her nervously. Poor
child" the women said, and the men
felt that Prince Hamassar had full ex-
cuse for having lost his heart. whatever
might yet happen to his head.
Ramek alone of all that vast assem-
blage felt a savage satisfaction at the
plight of the woman he thought he
loved The sorrow in her face testified
that Hamassar had her heart, and Ramek
rejoiced that he had made her suffer.
His evil face wore u bitter smile as he
looked about him and saw i'll the eyes of
all naught but love and pity for the girl.
At length Hamassar, closely guarded
and with his wrists enchanted, was led
before the throne. He had grown old in
a night His head he carried proudly,
and when he made Obeisance to the king
did so with princely grace that made
the strangers friends to him at once.
There was silence for a time. Then
slowly the emperor arose and in voice
of sorrow said:
"Hamassar, erstwhile prince and our
disobedience of our will. Our late de-
cree, It's said, your foolish tongue has
boldly held as naught. If this be true
your head is forfeit to the state"
A great sigh, as though the wind muir
INJURED in a forest, arose from the crowd,
and the princess, broken hearted, sobbed
aloud.
Then one by one the guests at the
princes feast told in subdued tones the
story of his fall; how he had boosted of
his bride and dubbed his nose unrivaled.
AS witness after witness wove about the
neck of the accused chain of iron the
thin face of Ramek shone with demoniac
JOY, while the emperor's countenance
grew constantly more grave. The
maidens surrounding the Princess Bru
famed her constantly, as though in fear
that she would faint. Hamassar kept
his eyes upon the floor and seemed de-
termined to conquer all emotion.
At length sufficient testimony had
been laid before the king to establish
the guilt of the accused. The crowd,
pressing forward to catch every word,
murmured among themselves and there
was an echo of pity in their tones. For
doubtless most of them knew that wine
when taken in excess plays strange
pranks with men. And to them all it
seemed as though Hamassar's words had
not been greatly out of place, for the
beauty of the princess dazzled them all
and they had to acknowledge that
Hamassar's nose was work of art.
Such lenient thoughts as these entered
not the emperors head. He sat buried
in contemplation for a while after tie
last witness had stepped aside.
'Hamassar," said the king, the evil
dence in all its details lies before me.
What have You to say before tell your
| DOOM
| Most gracious lord, " in firm and man.
ly voice the prince replied, 1.-THE honesty
Of these, my friends, cannot well i'm
peach, for what they say they say I'M
willingly. But in very truth | remem-
Der nothing of the boastful words they
charge me with. Your clemency ask
not, but let me say that never in my con-
scious thoughts have had wish to dis
obey your very wise decree"
The fearless manner of the prince i'm
| pressed the throng, and murmur of ap-
plause caused a smile to cross the face of
the Princess Bru. For a moment even
the emperor looked less stern. But it
was only for a moment. His brow AGAIN