The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1891-05-16
An Emperor $ Decree.
Bv EDWARD g VAN ME

By EDWARD q VAN MLE
toopyright. All rights reserved,
CHAPTER III.
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 lind Hauassar
through her tears. The audience hall
waspacked, for Haanassar' g 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 II
the emperor gave him pardon tho 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 u kindly heart. All hearts went
ont to her W she dried her tears and
looked about her uervously. Poor
child" tho women sid, and tho men
felt that Prince Hamassar had full ex-
cuse for having lost his heart, whatever
might yet happen to his head.
Ramek alone Of III that vast assem-.
blage felt . savage satisfaction ct the
plight OF the woman he thought be
loved. The sorrow IN her face testified
that Hamassar had her heart, and Ramek
yedUiced that be had made her suffer.
Hi evil face wore bitter smile q he
looked shout him and ssw In the eyes Of
all naught but love and pity for the girl.
At length Haanassar, closely guarded
and with his wrists enchanted, was led
before tho throne. He had grown old in
+. . night. His head he carried proudly,
~rd when he made obsiaanoe 10 the king
"a % with Z prtncely grace that made
ths strangers friends to him at once.
There was silence for . time. Then
a)owly the emperor arose and In voice
ct SORROW said:
"Hamassar, erstwhils prince and our
prospective son, you are charged with
disobedience Of our will Our Late de-
cree, 'tis said, your foolish tongue has
boldly held a. naught. II this be true
your head Is forfeit to the state"
A great sigh, - though the wind MUIR
INJURED In q 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.
Az 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
vnaidens 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
peanks with men. And to them all it
seemed as though Hamassar's words had
not been greatly out Of place, for the
beauty Of tho princess dazzled them I'LL
and they had to acknowledge that
Hamassar's nose was q work of art.
Such lenient thoughts - these entered
not the emperor's head. He sat buried
in contemplation for y while after tue
last witness had stepped aside.
''Hamassar," said the king. 1.-THE evil
dence IN all its details lies before me.
What have You to say before tell your
doomy'
"Most gracious lord, in firm and man.
" voice the prince replied, 1.-The honestl
At these, my friends, I cannot we'll Inn
peach, for what they say they say un.
willingly. But in very truth remcm-
her nothing Of the boastful words they
charge mo with. Your clemency ask
not, but let me say that never in my con-
sci0us thoughts have had wish to dis
obey your very wise Decree"
The fearless manner of the prince i'm
pressed the throng, and u 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
darkened and he Io,nmuned in silence
with himself.