The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-08-07
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

f. Marion Crawford's new book entitled.
"kahled, a Tale Of Arabia," although not a
masterpiece from a literary standpoint,
yet from the very strangeness of its SON
ception and the source from which it's chief
character, Kahled, is drawn, holds the in
terest of the reader from first to last.
When first we are introduced to Kahled
he is one of the genii who were supposed to
be endowed with certain bodily forms from
which they could change at pleasure and to
possess superhuman powers, but having no
soul. He is represented as standing before
the angel of death pleading to have his
name enrolled in the pool of life and
death, that he might become a
mar on earth and have an appointed
time to die. His request WAS at length
granted, after he had related to the angel
of death his reasons for desiring this trans
formation. The story ran this wise: There
was a powerful sultan who ruled over
Arabia, and who had a marvelously beauti-
full daughter, an only child. He hand was
sought after by princes far and near, who
cana with long trains Of camels bearing
gifts rich and rare to offer the sultan in ex-
change for his daughter. To all their offers
she turned q deaf ear, till at length ono
who was not of the Moslem faith, but who
WAS fair above all other men she had seen,
came bringing gifts invaluable. She con-
scented TO become his wife, arguing if she
became hia wife she could convert his
people to the Mohammedan faith.
Kahled, who Was yet ono of the genii,
realized the sorrow and disappointment
such q union would bling upon Der, and
seizing the prince at night bora him to the
lied dssert and slew him, for which Allah
sent IN angel to destroy him; but X HE'D
stood up and defended himself, saving that
he had slain a hypoorite who had planned
in his heart to carry away the daughter of a
Moslem. The angel then told him he de-
served life, and after much pleading on the
part of kahlad he waa giynn the form Of
man and told that he would be accepted of
Jehovah, the daughter OF the sultan, in
marriage but that he would not be given n
soul till such a time as no should win her
love.
The story goes on to relate how the trans-
formation from one of the genii to a man
IL brought about. how he enters into the
presence of tho old sutton and makes
known that he is a suitor for the hand of
ais daughte how Jehovah mar5ios him
saying it were as we'll to mar v him ma aDv
other man az she was Indifferent 10 them
all; how he oyercomes the enemies Of tho
kingdom, who ente- the oitv ON the night
of the marriage; how he goes out against
the nelghboring tribes, oyarcornes their
cities and places them under ibufs. how
after tho death of the sultan no becomes
the ruler Of Arabia. but still the heart o.
Jehovah is indifferent towards him. mud
all his wiles, his statesmanship. hjs
~pltadIngs tor her love nre Of
no avail. he deepairs of ever win
ming her affection, and knowing that with
out 1t he will never bs given a soul and
thus be able to live hereafter. be"omes des-
perate aad determines to throw away his
LIE III single combat with tho Bsdouin
tribes, who, under AbdulIah, ouo of their
chiefs. IS about IN beaIege tho palace. Tha
night Of the anticipated attack he sta
broodlng in Ii chamber, while near him
sits Jehovah. She urges him to call to-
gethef his servants and his people and to
make a bold stand against the enemy, but
he tells he has no dcsire to live louper for
without her love lie is "A lost man and to
1--we without it would be worse than death.
and urges her to leave him and fly for her
lie. After several hours of waiting the