Evening star., 1898-02-19

break his power?' asked Aziel with a
strange anxiety for now he guessed that
this price was none other than ELISA, the
woman whom he had rescued, and whose
wisdom and beauty had stirred his heart.
1T might be done. prince. but the risk
would be great, and are here to grow
rich in trade, not to make war"
Il have better and cheaper plan"
said a calm voice at his elbow, that of
Metem. 'and it is this: Slip a bowstring
over the brute's head as he lies snoring
and pull it tight. An eagle in cage is
easy to deal with. but once on the wing
the matter is different"
There is wisdom in your counsel" said
Saxon in hesitating voice.
Wisdom" broke in AZiel, "aye, the
wisdom of the assassin. What. noble Sa-
kon would you murder sleeping guest?"
NO, prince. 1 would not he answered
hastily. ALSO. such deed would bring
the tribes upon US
Then. Saxon, you are more foolish than
you used to be-" said Metem, laughing
"A man who will not dispatch foe when
ever he can catch him. by fair means or
foul, is not the man to govern rich city,
set in the heart of a barbarous land and
so | shall tell Hiram our king, If ever l
live to see Tyre again. AS for you, most
high prince, forgive the humblest of your
servants If he tells you that the tender
ness of your heart and the nobility of
your sentiments will. / think, bring you
to an early and an evil end" and, glancing
toward ELISA, as though to put IA point
upon his words, he smiled sarcastically
and withdrew
long white hair, wild eyes and red robe
announced him to be a priest of III, by
which name the people of Zimboe wor-
SHIPPED Baal. entered the room and V his
pered something into the ear of Saxon
that seemed to disturb him much.
Pardon me, prince. and YOU my guests.
If l leave you,'' said the governor, "but
l have evil tidings that call Inc TO the
To V.l.l 1x, a..
the black fever, and l must visit her."
And he hurried from the chamber
This news caused consternati IN among
the company, and in the confusion that
followed its announcement Azlel ;Cined
ELISA. who had passed on to the balcony
of the house, and was seated there alone
looking out over the moonlit city and
the plains beyond. AT his approach she
rose in token of respect, then set herself
down again. motioning to him to do like
wise
Give me of your wisdom, lady he said
Il thought that Baaltis was the goddess
the grove. How, then, can she be stricken
with a fever?"
''She is the goddess" EIissa answered
smiling. but the Lady Baaltis is a wo-
the goddess upon earth, and, being a Wo-
man, in her hour she must die
Then what becomes of the incarna-
ton of the goddess"
the priests of Ell and the company of
priestesses of Baaltis II the Lady Eaal-
It's who is dead chances to leave a dauHh-
ter. generally the lot falls upon her II
not. upon such one of the nooie maiJens as
may be chosen"
Does the Lady Baaltis marry, them"
Yes. prince, within a year of her pub
lie conservation she must choose herself q
husband, and he may be whom she will,
provided only he is of white blood and Goes
sacrifice to FL and Raaltis. Then when
she has named him he takes the title of
shadid. and for long as his wife shall
live he is the high priest of the god FL,
and clothed with the majesty of the god,
as his wife is clothed with the ma ;esty
of Baaltis, but should she die, another
takes his place"
1T is a strange faith" said Aziel
which teaches that the God of heaven
can find a home in mortal breasts. Rut,
lady. IL is yours. so l shall say no more
of it Now, tell me, if you will, what
did you mean when you said that that
barbarian king, Ithobal, set the savage
whom L slew to kidnap you? Do you know
! this or do you only suspect it?''
= suspected it from the first prince.
Moreover. 1 read IL in his face as he look
\ ed upon the corpse and when ne perceived
me among the feasters."
And why should he wish to carry you
| away thus brutally. lady. when he is at
peace with the great city?"
| Perchance. prince. after what passed to-
| night you can guess. she answered low
ering her eyes.
| Yes, lady, can guess. and though it Is
| shameful that such a one should dare to
| think of you. still. since he is a man, /
cannot blame him orermuch. But why
! should he press his suit in this fashion.
instead OF openly. as a king might dor
He may have pressed 1t openly and been
| refused" she replied In a low voice. But
] II he could have carried me to some far