The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-04-05
CHAPTER XVI.

A SURPRISING CHANGE OF FRONT.
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 bis secur-
ity could ignore However friendly the
governor mi ght be at heart, he was not a
free agent, but merely the instrument OF
tyrannous system which sentenced aud
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, humbly
venturing to commend the wisdom Of his
masters speech, enlarged on the abso-
Lutte necessity of preserving the state from
foreign intrigue at ell hazards and at what
ever cost of blood and ending up with the
proposition, LET my lord decree death
forthwith, and while he dispatcheth weight
Ter matters i 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, it may
have been q princes dislike of dictation
and interference that influenced my judge,
but he unexpectedly took course of his
own.
Words of wisdom drop from thy mouth
as honey from a honeycomb, Abdallah,"
he said. with a severe look at his counsel
or. Foreign intriguers and spies must
indeed be given TO the fowls of the air and
the beasts of the eartn. 1t is my duty and
privilege TO guard the state. / Will take
care they are not neglected. Again, busi-
ness, as thou well sayest, presseth hard, and
in order that thou mayest give thy mind To
other and more important affairs | viii
myself execute justice on this stranger.
Get thee forth with all haste. and thou,
Koor Ali, who will command next TO my
self, go with him and take no rest until
my army be ready for war"
The two men bowed very low and has
tened out. lie watched until they had
gone, with clamorous mob at their heels.
then turning to me be said briefly;
81 have purposes that will astonish thy
friend Abdallah. Thou shalt ride by my
bride rein, and we shall see of what stuff
thou art mnde. Nay, nay; no speeches" as
he saw the fullness Of heart coming into
my face. This is n time for action. Be
side thou mightest find cause 60 repent cf
thy fair words, for 81 thou shouldst prove
false thou shalt die the cruelcst death Alb
dallah can devise 20 atone for this present
clemency."
With that he turned abruptly to fawn-
ing official and said in a brusque tone:
"The stranger will have need of food. See
thou TO his wants, and thy head answer for
his safe keeping" Whereupon, rising
quickly. he swept maiesticalyinto an in
ner room without giving me the opportuni-
~ of saying "A word OF thanks.
My first impulse was TO sit down and sob
aloud. It 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 1
wiped furtively while trying to jest with
my attendant
The rising sun, they say, is worshiped,
and certainly the favor OF prince insures
many smiles and obsequious attentions
The demeanor Of the people toward me
changed rs 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 "A man probably
would have valued the tokens Of good will
more than did. 1 had been defiant 20 the
mob in my adversely; in my triumph hope
j was not insolent, but assuredly was in no
mood to respond with any cordiality TO the
greetings Of people, who. IL Abou Kuram's
humor had been different, would have
shouted themselyes hoarse with glee at see