Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1896-08-19

before him a week later. There The
Sheikh appeared and bore witness against
me. Those who spoke for me pleaded
that, as the Sheikh himself admitted, the
man who broke into bis room and banged
him so hard had bis face covered with q
linen cloth how, then, could the Sheikh,
in the hurry and darkness, be sure he
recognized me Perhaps it was some 9TH
er, who took this means TO ruin me. But
the Sheikb, for his part, swore by Allah
aud the Holy Stone of Kaaba at Mecca,
that he saw me distinctly, and knew it
was l. The moonlight through the win.
dow revealed my form to him. And who
else in the village but me had a grudge
against his justice.
"The Cadi was convinced. The Cadi
gave judgment. | was guilty of rebellion
against the Sheikh and ul-lslam; and,
being dog of a Christian, unworthy even
to live, his judgment was that after three
days time should be beheaded in the
prison court of Assiout.
"You may guess efendi, whether or
not | was anxious. But Laila was safe
and to save my girl from that wretchs
harem | was ready, for my part, to en-
dure anything.
1.-TWO nights long I lay awake and
thought strange things by myself in the
whitewashed cells of the jail at Assiout.
The governor of the prison, who was q
European-an Italian, he called himself
and Christian of Roum, of those who
obey the Pope, was very kind indeed TO
me. He knew me before for had worked
in his iedsl, and was sorry when ] told him
the tnle about Laia. But what would you
have? It was the law of Islam. He could
not prevent it.
"On the third evening my brother came
round to the prison to see me. My poor old
father, he said, was dying at home with grief.
They didn't expect he would live till morn
ing. And Laila, too had stolen back from
Karnak unperceived, and WAS in hiding in
the village. She wished to see me just once
before died.
"Now the governor, eflendi, was a very
humane man. Aud though he was Chris
tian of Roum, not Copt like us, he was
kind to the Copts as his brother Christians
He pondered awhile to himself and roped
his mustache thus then he said to me-
'Athanasio, you are an honest man; the
execution is fixed for eight 10y the clock to-
morrow morning. III give you leave to go
home to your father tonight, will you pledge
your word Of honor before st. George and the
saints to return before seven? p.
Eaendi, said kissing his feet, you are
indeed a good man. / swear by the mother
of God and all the saints that dwell in heav-
en- that if you let me 60 will come back
sgain full hour before the time fixed for the
execution Aud meant it, too, for | only
wished before died to say good.by once
more to Laia.
"Well, the governor took me secretly into
his own house, and telling me many times
over that he trusted to my honor, and would
/ lose his place if il were known he had let me
20, he put me forth with my brother by his
own private door, making me swear on no
account to be late for the execution.
"As soon as got outside | said to my
brother, Tell me, Sirgeh, at whose house Is
Laila p
"And my brother answered and smiled
Laia is still at Karnak, where we sent her
for safety, and our father is well. But
have a plan for your escape that ! think will
serve you.
Never! ] cried, horror struck. If !
am to break my word Of honor to the govern
or Of the prison.
That i.ntit be made reply, 4 have q
p an Of my own which will proceed in
words to make clear to you
"Wha, happened next would be long to re-
late, earndi" But noticed that the fellah''
eve twinkled as he spoke, like one who pass
Is over Of set purpose an important episode
"All need to ieIl you now is that the whole
night through the good governor lay awake
wondering whether or not | would come
home to time, and blaming himself in hi'
heart for having given such leave 70 mere
condemned criminal. Sill efendi, though
am but poor, am man of honor AS tb'
clock stuck six in the prison court mex
morning knocked at the governors win
dow with the appointed signal, and the gov
ernor arose aud let me into my cell aDc
pra sed me for my honor, aud wss vel
plessed 10 see me.
81 knew A,bauasio, he said, roping hi
mustache once mote, that you we're mar
t. be trusted
AT eight O'Clock they took me out int
the courtyard. The executioner was there
already, and a great black Nubian, with I
very sharp scimitar.
Il koelt down and bent my head. fear
ed, after all, no re-pite was coming. TIL
executioner stood forth aud raised the scim
ar 10 his hand. almost thought hesrt
il swish through the air | saw the brlgh
4 IL Dttte eeto