The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-03-07

/ he said it would be because of the sins
of the people and their idolatries.'
What does it matter what he said 2"
broke in Saxon hastily. How shall L
answer Ithobal?'
Tell him, $ she replied with a strange
smile. that he does wisely to be jeal-
Gus of the Prince Aziel"
What OF that stranger who this
very day reviled you in words of such
shame. and so soon?" asked her father,
astOnished.
ELISA did not speak in answer; she
only looked straight before her and
nodded her head.
Had ever man such n daughter" he
went on in petulant dismay. Truly. it
is a wise saying which tells that women
love those best who beat them, be it
with the tongue or with the fist Not
but what 1 would gladly see you
welded to the grandson of Solomon and
of Pharaoh rather than to this barbar-
ian, but the legiOns of Solomon and of
Pharaoh are far away, whereas this
IthObal has a hundred thousand spears
almost at cur gate
There is no need to speak of that
father" she said, turning aside, ''since
even were / willing. the prince would
have naught TO do with me, who am q
priestess of Baaltis."
The matter of religion might be
overcome" suggested Saxon, but no,
for many reasons it is impossible. Well,
this being so, daughter, l may answer
lthobal that you will wed him."
"I?' she said. Il wed that black
hearted savage? My father, you may
answer what you Will, but of this be
sure that 1 will go to my grave before
l pass as wife to the board of Ithobal."
oh, my daughter" pleaded Saxon,
think before you say 1t. AS his wife
e.
Will be a queen and the mother of
kings. But if you refuse. then either
l must force you. which is hateful to
me, or there will be such a war as the
city has not known for generations, for
Ithobal and his tribes have many griev-
ances against me. By the gift of your
self you can for awhile. at any rate.
make peace between us, but if it is
withheld, then blood will run in rivers,
and perhaps this city, with all that live
in it, viii be destroyed, or at least its
trade will be ruined and its wealth
stolen from it,
IF it is decreed that all these things
are to be, they must be-" answered
ELISA, calmly, seeing that this war
has threatened US for many years, and
that a woman must think of herself
first and of the fate of cities after
ward. OF my own free will l will never
take Ithobal to husband. Father, 1 have
said"
"Of the fate of cities, yes; but how of
my fate and of those we love? Are we
all to be ruined and perhaps slain to
satisfy your whim, girl
Il did not say so, father. 1 said of my
own free will / would not wed Ithobal.
If you choose to give me to him you
have the right TO do it, but know then
that you give me to my death. Perhaps
it is best that it should be thus"
Saxon knew his daughter well, and it
did not need that he should glance at
her set face to learn that she menat
her words. Also he loved her more
dearly than anything on earth.
In truth my strait is hard, and I
know not which way to turn he said,
covering his face with his hand.
Father" she replied, laying her
fingers lightly or his shoulder, what
need IS there to answer him at oace?
Take a month. or if he will not give it,
a week. Much may happen in that
tir,e-
The counsel is wise" he said, catch
ing at this straw. Daughter. be in the
great hall of audience, with your at
tendants, three hours after noon, for