The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-01-24

So all my rosy hopes were blown to the
winds again. Fate had cut of the last
chance Of escape, and could look for moth
ing but immediate death. For had heard
something of the portentious mysteries OF
statecraft that make such havoc OF the con-
science of rulers and understood that be-
hind the personal will and inclination of
Abou Kuram were reasons of such fearful
cogency as no prince who valued his secur-
ity could ignore. However friendly the
governor might be at heart, he was not a
free agent, but merely the instrument Of a
tyrannous system which sentenced and
slew with ruthless disregard of the sanctity
of private thoughts.
This was driven in upon me with stag.
gering emphasis when the leather faced in
CRATE had relieved Of his pains, hunibly
venturing to commend tAe wisdom of his
masters speech, enlarged on the ALSO
Lutte necessity of preserving the state from
foreign intrigue at all hazards and at what
ever cost OF blood and ending up with the
proposition, 'Iet my lord decree death
forthwith, and while he dispatcheth weight
Ter matters | will see this rogue executed"
But we had both mistaken the force Of
Abou Kuram's character. A weak man Is
the slave of his office; a strong man is its
master and director, Perhaps it was the
working of humanity in his breast, per-
haps it was sudden conviction of my in
nocence, or, what is more likely, 1t may
have been princes dislike of dictation
and interference that influenced my judge,
but he Unexpectedly took a course OF his
own
Nv ords Of wisdom drop from thy mouth
as honey from honeycomb, Abdallah,"
he said, with severe look at his counsel
or. Foreign intriguers and spies must
indeed be given TO The fowls of the air aud
the beasts OF the earth. 1t is my duty aud
privilege to guard the state l will take
care they are not neglected. Again, busi-
ness, as thou we'll sayest, presseth hard, and
in order that thou mayest give thy mind to
other and more important affairs | will
myself execute Justice on this stranger,
Get thee forth with all haste, and thou,
koor Ali, who will command next to my
self, SO with him and take no rest until
my army be ready for war;
The two men bowed very low and has
tened out. He watched until they had
gone, with clamorous mob at their heels,
then turning to me he said briefly;
Il have purposes that will astonish thy
friend Abdailah Thou shalt ride by my
bride rein, and we shall see of what stuff
thou art made. Nay, nay; no speeches," rs
he saw the fnllness of heart coming into
my face. This is time for action. Be-
side thou mightest find cause to repent of
thy fair words, for il thou shouldst prove
false thou shalt die the cruelest death Alb
dallah can devise to atone for this present
clemency.n
With that he turned abruptly to fawn-
ing official and said in brusque tone.
''fhe stranger will have need of food. See
thou to his wants, and thy head answer for
his safe keeping" Whereupon, rising
quickly, he swept majestieally into an in
ncr room without giving me the opportuni-
ty of saying a word of thanks.
My first impulse was to sit down and sob
aloud. 1t seemed that nothing else could
relieve my pent up feelings, and indeed
careful observer might have noticed an un-
usual moisture about the lashes which
wiped furtvely while trying to jest with
my attendant.
The rising sun, they say. Is worshiped,
and certainly the favor of prince insures
many smiles and obseqnious attentions.
The demeanor of the people toward me
changed as singularly as my shifting for
tune Those who had spat on me with foul
imprecations but an hour before now sa-
luted me with loud calculations Of friend
ship and blessing. Many man probably
would have valued the tokens of good will
more than did. had been defiant to the
mob in my adversely; in my triumph hope
Twas not insolent, but assuredly was in no
mood to respond with any cordiality to the
greetings of people, who, if Abou kuram's
humor had been different, would have
shouted themselves hoarse with glee at see
ing my head slashed off my shoulders.
The sight Of one eager face, however,
among the many fawning ones gave me IA
genuine thrill of pleasure. Said Achmet
had haunted the place all the morning like
perturbed spirit, and now on the first op-
portunity he came running forward to con-
gratulate me on my new lease of life. had
not much to say, but gave the good souls
hand hearty Christian wiring, and he did
not resent it, though to shake hands with
an infidel or stranger Is pollution to the or
dinary Musselman.
When SORROWS come, says the poet, they
come not in single spies but in battalions.
Once or twice in q lifetime few happy
mortals have the sweet experience Of find
ing joys, too, come trooping in companies.
While my benefuctor and myself were in
converse together, to the further delight of
us both, word came from Abou Kuram
that until the troops were ready was to
be his guest or Said Aehmet's, just accord
ing to my fancy. Needless to say what
choice made nor how deeply grateful /
was to Aboa Kuram for this fresh sign of