Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-02

justice be done according to the strict let
ter OF the law-justice without fear or
favor
''Hearken," said the Shadid Last night
this woman. the daughter of Saxon, being
the Lady Baaltis only elected. met men Sc
cretiy In the courts of the temple, and ac-
companied them, or one of them, to the
chamber Of AZiel, a prince Of Israel, the
guest Of Saxon. Whether or no she was
about to fly with him from the city, which
he should have left last night, we cannot
tell. and it is needless to inquire At least,
she was with him. This, however, is sure,
that they did not sin in ignorance of our
law, since with my own mouth l warned
them both that If the Lady Baaltis con-
sorts with any man not her husband duly
named by her according to her right, she
must die, and her accompice with her.
Therefore, Aziel, the Israelite we give you
10 death. booming you presently to be
hurled from the edge of yonder precipice."
Il am in your power" said the prince,
proudly, land you can murder me if you
will because. forsooth. l have offended
against some law Of Baal, but 1 tell you,
priest, that there are kings in Jerusalem
and Egypt who will demand my blood at
your hands. l have nothing more to say,
except to beseech you to spare the life Of
the Lady ELISA, since the fault of that
meeting was not hers, but mine"
Prince answered the Shadid gravely.
we know your rank and we know also
that your blood will be required at our
betray their law for thu fear of any kings.
Yet, for SO says this same law, 1t is not
needful that you should die, since for YOU
there is way OF escape that leads to safe
ty and great homer. and she who was the
cause Of your sin is the mistress Of it's
gate. ELISA, holder of the spirit of Baal-
lis upon earth, If it be your pleasure to
name this man husband before US all, then
as the spouse of Baaltis he goes free, for
he whom the Baaltis chooses cannot refuse
IN Sha clo
live must rule with her as Shadid of Ell
But II you name him not, then, as l have
said. he must die, and now. Speak"
"It seems that my choice is small" said
ELISA, with faint smile. Praying you
to pardon me for the deed, to save your
life, Prince Aziel, 1 name you my hus-
band"
Now, Aziel was about to answer her
when the Shadfd broke In hurriedly. $50
be It," he said. Lady, we hear your
choice, and we accept it as we must, but
not yet. Prince Aziel, can you take your
wife and with her my place and power.
Your life is safe. indeed. for since the
Baaltis, being unwed, names you as her
mate you have done no sin. Yet She has
sinned, and doom awaits her, for against
the law she has chosen as husband one
who worships Strange god, and of all
crimes that Is the greatest. Therefore
either you must take incense and before
Us all make Offering to Ell and Baaltis upon
yonder altar, thus renouncing your faith
and entering into ours, or she must die,
and you. your rank having passed from
you, will be expelled the CITY,"
Now AZiel understood the trap that had
been laid for him. and saw in 1t the handi-
work of Saxon and Metem. ELISA having
nagrantly violated the religious law, and
he being the cause of her crime, even the
authority of the governor of the city could
not prevent his daughter and his guest
from being put upon their trial. Therefore
he had arranged this farce, for so 1t would
seem to him, whereby both Of them might
escape the legal consequences of their
crime, trusting. doubtless, to accident and
the future to upravel this web of forced
ecclesiastical rank which he had not
sought. 1t was only necessary that ELISA
should formally choose him as her nus
band, and that Aziel should go through the
rite OF throwing few grains Of incense
upon ON altar. and. the law satisfied, they
would be both free and safe. What he and
those who worked with him had forgotten
was that this offering Of incense to Baal
would be the most deadly of crimes In the
eyes of any Jew. one. indeed, which, were
he alone concerned. he would die rather
than commit.
When the prince heard the decree and the
full terror Of the choice came home to his
mind. his blood trrnsd cold, and for a
while his sebses were bewihered. There
was 40 escape for him; either he must
abjure his faith at the price Of his own
soul, or. because OF It. the woman whom
he loved now. before his eyes. must suffer
q most horrible and sudden death. 1t was
hide0ue to think Of, and yet how could
he do this sin In the face Of heaven and
OF these ministers of Saten3 The moment
bowl Of incense. q golden bowl. he noticed
idly. with hsndles Of green stone fashioned
Ia the ukeueaa al Raaltis whose oorvsnt
he was asked to declare himself. He, Axiel