Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-05
cHLATER VII.
The Black DMarf.

Some two hours chad passed since the
breaking up Oh theaassembly in the great
hail, and the Pince&Aziel was seated in his
| chamber lost hhthGlght, when the keeper
| Of the door an6ouneed that woman was
without who Desired to speak with him.
he commanded that she should be adj
mitted. and a yelled figure entered the ROBIN
and bowed before him !
BE pleased , e unveil and to tell me your
With some reluctance she withdrew the
wrappings from her head, revealing face
which he recognized as one that he had
seen among the waiting women who at
tended en- ELISA. 'F "
MY message is for your ear. Prince" she
SAID. glancing at the man who had ushered
| her into the chamber. '%8@.
| thus alone" said the prince; "but be 1t as
| you will and he commanded the servant
TO stand without the door. Lady I'await
your pleasure" he added. as soon as he had
gone. [E
1T Is here" she answered, and drew from
her bosom little papyrus roll.
Who wrote this?' he asked. .-..
II know not prince; it was given to me to
pass on to you" '----
| Then he opened the roll and read it. 1t
ran thus: Though we parted with bitter
words, still in my sore distress l crave the
comfort of your counsel. Therefore, now
| since l may not speak with you openly,
meet me, beseech, You, at moonrise in the
palace garden under the shade of the great
| hg tree with fiye roots. where 1 shall be
accompanied only by one trust. Bring no
man with you, for my sal1e.-Elissa."
Aziel thrust the scroll into his robe and
thought awhile. Then he gave the waiting
| lady a piece of gold and said:
Tell her who sent you that I obey her
words. FAREWELL
This message seemed to puzzle the
| woman. who opened her lips to speak, then,
changing her mind, she turned and went.
Scarcely had she gone when the Phoe-
nlcian, Metem, was ushered into the pres
enee of the prince.
"Oh, prince" he said, maliciously, par
don mo if I caution you, but in truth If
yelled ladies fit thus in and out of your
apartments in the light of day. it will reach
| the ears of the holy but violent Issacher,
of whose doings come to speak, and then
| 1 tremble for YOU.
Aziel made a movement half impatient
and half contemptuoas. The woman is but
| a message that understand but little. Tell
! me-, Metem, for you know this place, does
there stand in the palace garden great
| fig tree with five roots?" -
Yes, prince; at least, such a tree used to
grow there when last / visited the city,
whereof it is one of the wonders, because of
| it's size. What of it 90 -
Little, except that must be under it at
| moonrfse. See and read, SINCE whatever
you may say of yourself, you are. | think,
no traitor r.
Not If I am Wen paid to keep. counsel,
prince" Metem answered, with a smile
| Then he took the scroll and read It.
Il am glad that the noble lady brings an
attendant with her" he said. as he returned
| serious and might mfsinterpret this moon
| light meeting. as, Indeed. would Issachar
| Wen, doves VII s91 and maids will woo,
aaa p1i IS ea al money out of it the
Have I not, told ,nlyou that there is no
question of woAing?,' asked the prince an
grily. Il go only to give her what counsel
l can in the msatterfof the suit of this saw
! age Ithobai. The Lady ELISA and 1 have
quarreled beyond repair over that accused
(which her feady wit prevented put in
| Metem. Orr Oh
But promised last night that would
help her If couldsp the prince went on
| ''and ever keep my word
| Il understand. prince. Well. since you
| turn from the lady, whose name with yours
is so much in, mems mouths just now,
| doubtless you will give her wise counsel
| namely. to wed 1thobal and lift the
shadows Of war fTofp this city; for which
none can move heE istubborness. And. by
| the way, if when she has listened to your
wisdom. she should chance to explain to
you that the sight Of todays attempted
| sacrifice filled her with horror, and that she
parted with every, Jewel she owns to put an
| end to it-well, her words will be true. But
| since you have quarreied. they will have no
more interest for you. prince. than has my
| ters." and ne began to speak Aor the con.
duct Of IssachaE in. the sanctuary and of
the necessity Of guarding him against as
sassination at the hands Of the priests OF
FL. az a. consequence of his religious zeal
Presently he was gone, leaving Ariel some
what bewildered.
| Could 1t be true. as she herself had tolo
/ him. and as Metem pow asserted. that Ellis
sa had not participated. willingly in the hor-
Fibie rites in the temple? II so, he had mis-
/ judged her and been unjust; indeed. wha
] atonement could suffice for such words as