The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-05-04
ANIME OF CORDOVA.

GEaESas OK AIn1D8-En6 EeaEl OF LOEQOVa,
as she was oaled-While reclining in the
strictly guarded sanotity Of the harem.
She was beautiful, very beautiful-of that
rare perfection Of style which mocks to
soorn the efforts Of poet or artist to de-
scribe. A skin of purest alRbaster, seem
ingly Just breathed on by the rose; eyes
whose liquid depths seemed to contain an
eternity Of passionate oarnesbness; q form
suoh as Venus, in her mRidenhood, might
have envied; these were a few of the
charms of which the fair captive could
bOast-charms that were doomed to entail
upon their possessOr naughb but misery
and death
She was alone, and while gazing forth
through the open easement upon the scene
Of peaceful beauty that lay extended be-
fore her she could not refrain from sigh
ing at her sad destiny. And it was, in
deed, q cruel fate for her, young, rich as
she was in all the grace and virtue that
made life dearl Torn from the home of
her childhood BIZ ruthless men, who looked
upon the purity of her manners and per
son but as marketable properties; then ex-
posed so all the horrors of a slave market,
to be dsseoratod by the gaze Of a rude pop
ulace and finally disposed of to the highest
bidder-who CHANGED to be the cOnspirator
Samail-that she might for the time. be-
come O slave to his passion and then be
cast of to linger out the remainder Of her
life in cOmfortless obscurity. Truly it was
a dark and bitter future to which that fair
being looked forward.
All, homo Of my infancy" she muir
INJURED in a voice ike the music Of a harp
when played on by the trembling wind,
ainever again shall behold thy dear loved
Ecenssl Never again shall I behold my
afflicted parents. And Otons too, he on
whom I lavished all the love of which my
young heart was capable, I must relinquish
all hopes Of again meeting himF'
aWhy does Anime bear the chains of
bOndnqe?' said a voice .sWhy does she
whose beauty in its ohasteness rivals the
orb of night, whose voice is sweeter than
tbs peri's song, whose form Is more lovely
than the hours in paradise, consent to
become the htdeous SamaiI's yictimT'
Surprised and startled, Anime turned
as she heard these words and behold, stand
ing a few PAGES from her, q youth Of noble
and commanding aspect.
fsOtOn 10 the maiden murmured.
"AmineP' replied the youth, and the
next moment he clasped her fondly in his
arms
For some time the lovers-for lovers
they truly yvere-could not speak from
emotion. But when at length Anime
awoke to O full consciousness of her lovers
dangerous position she started wildly from
his arms and urged him to seek safety in
immediate flight.
fsNot so 20 answered OtOn proudly. I'm
less, indeed, you viii it, and can scarcely
believe that few days could have SO much
changed you"
ct is that I fear tho approach of him
whose slave am, and who would wreak
terrible vengeance on you for this daring
intrusion. I speak of the cruel Samaii -
MAY heavens lightning blast himp'
cried tho youth bitterly.
fsAh, pray not so wildly, OtOn, - said the
maiden. IT shudder while listen to your
voice"
Nay, Anime, - he answered. you know
not the great cause have for cursing the
arch apostate-apostate alike to the reli-
gion Of his fathers and to every good feeling
of the human heart He it was Who with
his own hand, deprived both my parents
OF life and sent mo forth an orphan, with
out any inheritance, save the recollection
of my dead fathers wrongs. He It was
who hunted myself and brave companions,
like wild beasts, through the jungles and
rocks of the Wild mountain passes de,
the baseborn serf, seeking to destroy the
prince whose father fostered him.
''Oh, Oton, you excite yourself beyond
your bearing, and, in so doing, forget the
reality of our position. You spoke mo
menb since as though you were a prince"
'fAnd I spoke truly was the reply that
startled her. Hitherto you have only
known me as the humble OtOn. Now
learn that he who speaks of the renegade
with such detestation is 1lnynOs, the de-
scendant of a line of kingsp'
''Indeedl'' said voice that sounded like
the cry Of the hyena when about to spring
upon its prey. "IndeedP'
SIT is tile voice of Samaill'' cried
Anime, with a stided shrek Save your
self, Oton, for his vengeance will be terri
bler'
You speak truly, girl. - said the same
hideous voice, and the next moment Sa-
mail, accompanied by a dozen armed men,
entered the apartment.
Seize yon infideli' he said in q voice
Of smothered rage. Bear him away and
let the bowstring do its silent workl'
Then, turning to Anime, he continued,
Your time has not come, for I would
have you live TO minister to my lOvel'
umynOs resisted his assailants with all
his power, but numbers prevailed, and in
the end he was overpoWered and dragged
heRdlong from the spot.
Now then, you are mine, - cried Sa-
mail exultingly, advancing toward Anime,
whom be had left for moment leaning
against a pedestal in order to see his venge-
ancs on nor lover communicable mine,
without the hope of redemptionl''
He took her hand in his. 1t was icy
cold and she did not seek to repel him.
He pressed his unholy lips upon her brow.
1t was chill and clammy- A sudden and
naIneless horror seized upon him. He
had ceased forever. The Pearl Of Cordova
Exchange.