The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-04-29
in THE CRETAN WAR.

| from tho foot Of Mount Usilorites, the
name given TO Mount Ida by the natives,
there was situated pretty little villa,
surrounded by all the luxuriancs and yari-
ant beauty Of tropical verdure where dwelt
o retired merchant Of Retimo with his
family. Casser Issos was gentleman Of
Grecian descent, but his home had always
been in Crete. In earlier years he had re-
| sided at Retimo, but as his hearth failed
with the advancement Of age he found it
pleasanter, even at so, to live the quiet life
afforded him in his villa at Idea, while
younger men performed the more active
part of his business. His wife, native
Cretan, was lady Of refinement and Of a
gentle, loving disposition. They had two
children--Alsace, a youth of 20, and o
dutiful, worthy son as well, and daugh-
ter, Hermione, whose physical beauty and
corresponding loneliness Of character were
quite extraordinary in one of the tender
age OF 10.
When the Cretan inhabitants at last de-
cided that they could no longer bear the
cruel yoke Of Turkey, Casser Issos took
no small share of interest in the welfare of
his country, and at once placed his wealth
at Its disposal, while he himself became
soon joined their ranks.
One beautiful Sunday morning after the
landing of the Grecian army Hermione
and her mother were attending the services
at the little chapel near Idea. Only few
women and children were present-all the
men were absent sat their country's call"
The white robed priest was chanting in
low, musical voice, and his congregation
were all kneeling in positions of devotion.
Soft breezes floated in through the open
windows, bringing sweet odors from the
tropical plants without. The hour was
strangely solemn.
Suddenly there came the sound Of horses
hoofs, and almost instantly Cretan SOL
der sprang into the room enchanting:
"Flee Flee for your lives The Turks are
upon ,isp' He had hardly spoken these
words before dozen or more evil looking
Turks dashed up to the door, shouting
loudly and calling upon Allah to aid them
In their wicked work. The terrified sup.
plicants had sprung to their feet and fled
at the first word of alarm, some to the in
ner recesses of the chapel others out of tho
open door toward the woods. Several Of
them were caught before they were 100
yards from the chapel, and three or four
were brntally massacred for struggling to
escape from the hands of their cruel cap.
tors.
But while all the others sought safety
in flight two female figures remained mo-
tionless before the altar, trusting in the
saints and in the sacredness of the place
for protection. They were Hermione and
her mother. The priest threw aside his
robes, which he had worn over complete
Cretan uniform, and seizing his sword
rushed to the rescue. The soldier who had 1
given the alarm was lying wounded near
the door. A Turk, spurning him with his
foot, spraDg over his body and down the
aisle to where Hermione still knelt beside
her mother. The maiden uttered % faint
cry and chung close to her SIDE
They were upon their feet now and stood
facing the rutfian. The mother drew one
arm around her daughter as If for protec.
ton and with the other extended high
above her head exclaimed in tones such as
only mother can use on such an occasion
as this, "Ruffian, dare you defile the very
altar of the God of heaven and earthl''
But the man did not understand her |
language, though he uttered some fierce |
exclamation in his own, as he roughly |
seized the maiden and tore her from her |
mothers side, who, frantic with horror, |
sank upon her knees, beseeching him to |
give back her child.
Meanwhile a party Of six Cretans and |
Grecians with Colonel Issos arrived upon |
the scene. A skirmish took place outside |
the door, in which three Turks were killed !
and two others were wounded. On the
other side nearly all received slight
wounds, but those of the Cretan who had
given the alarm proved fatal
One of the Grecians, youthful officer
of noble birth, entered the chapel by side
entrance just in time to see Hermione
snatched from her mother. He instantly
sprang toward the ruffian, shouting to
him to release the maiden. He could not
shoot for fear Of hitting her, and the Turk,
casting one fierce glance behind, caught
her up in his arms and fled with his prize
toward the door. The Grecian was in close
pursuit, and at the door he was so close
that he sprang upon tho Turk and forced
him to release the girl, who fell PROSTATE
upon the marble floor.
Her preserver Immediately turned to
raise her, unheeding, though the Turk
dealt him a sharp blow with his sword,
slashing his shoulder, before he fled to join
his fleeing companions. He knelt by Her
mione's side and sought to restore her to
He was deeply touched by
tho surprising loyelincss of those exqui-
site features, now so white and still, and as
he bore his precious burden to cushioned
sent laid her gently down and then stood
gazing In rapt wonder, he was quito un-
conscious that the mother was standing at
his side.
In few moments the soft Cyelids I'M
closed and tho eyes turned until they rest
ed upon his face, at first with an express
sion of fear and then with sweet smile,
lll the color suddenly returning to her
palc cheeks as she held out her hand to
him, saying: "Ah, l know you are my
prescrycr, brave onel How can l ever
thank your And there is a wound upon
your shoulder, too, bleeding, all for mc!'
The mother knelt beside her daughter,
weeping for very joy, and Colonel Issos,
who had just been told what had hap
'ened, stood by, pouring out his heartfelt
yratitudo to the young man who had rem
Tered him go great service. At last he
Iskcd the Grecian's name, for until an
lour previous they had never met.
II am Lieutenant Philip ZClotes, " re-
lied the young officer
Philip Zelotes dincd that day at Idea.
Three months later wedding took place
It the little chapel, when Hermione be- {
anne Philips wife, and the priest who
resided at the ceremony was the same
Who had fought for Crete on that memo !
able Sunday morning Boston Post.
London Streets.
Miles lane is corruptiun of ST Michael's |