Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-11-09
TRIUMPH.


Then followed a moment of tue most
painful silence that / ever endured. 1t
was broken by Ayesha, who addressed
herself TO Leo.
Nay, now. my lord and guest she
said in her softest tones, which yet had the
ring of steel about them, look not so
bashful. Surely the sight was pretty
one--the leopard and the lion!'
"Oh, hang it all" said Leo, in English.
And thou. Ustane,' she went on,
surely should have passed thee by had
not the light fallen on the white across thy
hair Well! well the dance is done-see,
the tapers have burned down, and ali
things end in darkness and in ashes. So
thou thoughtest it a fit time for love, Ustane
my seryant-and dreaming not that l
could be disobeyed, thought thee already
far away
Play not with me, mOaned the wretch
ed woman; Stay me and let there be an
end"
NAY, why? 1t is not well to go so swift
from the hot lips of love down TO the cold
mouth of the grave" and she made a
motion TO the mutes instantly stepped up
and caught the girl by either arm. With
an oath Leo sprung upon the nearest and
hurled him to the ground, and then stood
over him with his face set and his fist
ready.
Again Ayesha laughed.
1t was well thrown, my guest; thou hast
a strong arm for one who so late was
sick. But now out of thy courtesy pray
thee let that man live and do my bidding
He shall not harm the girl; the night air
grows chill, and | would welcome her in
mine own place. Surely she whom thou
dose favor shall be favored of me also
took Leo by the arm, and pulled him
from the PROSTATE mute, and he, half be
wildered obeyed the pressure Then we
all set out for the cave across the plateau
where great pile OF white human ashes
was all that remained Of the fire that had
lighted the dancing, for the dancers had
vanished.
In due course we gained Ayesha's bou
doir-all too soon, il seemed to me, having
a sad presage of what was to come lying
heavy on my heart.
Ayesha seated herself upon her cushions,
and having dismissed JOB and Billali, by
signs babe the mutes tend the lamps and
retire ali save one girl. who was her fa-
vorite personal attendant. We three re
NAMED standing, the unfortunate Ustane
little to the left of the rest of us.
Now, oh, Holly" Ayesha began, how
came ii that thou who didst hear my
words bidding this evil-doer and she
pointed to stane-'to go from hence
thou at whose prayer | did weakly spare
her life-how came it | say, that thou
was a sharer in what saw to-nightl An.
swer, and for thine own sake, | say, speak
the truth, for | am not minded TO hear
lies upon this matter"
1t was by accident oh, queen, l an
swered. Il knew naught of it,.
Il do believe thee. OH Holly" she an.
swered, coldly and well it is for thee
that do Then does all the guilt rest up
on her.
Il don't sac any particular guilt about
1t, broke in Leo. She is not anybody
else's wife, and it appears that she has
married me according to the custom of
this awful place, SO who is the worse?
Any way, madame, > he went on, what
ever she has done, have done, too, so if
she is to be punished. let me be punished
also; and tell thee, he went on, working
himself up into a fury "that if thou bid
dest one of those deaf-and-dumb villains
to touch her again | will tear him to
pieces And he looked as though he
meant it,
q To BE CONTINUED.