The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-03-14
Copyright, 1898, by H. Rider Haggard.)
CHAPTER VII.-(Continued)


ELISA awoke from her vision with g
little cry, then rose trembling and
strove to comfort herself with the
thought that she had but dreamed a
dream, though it was a very vivid one
Still shaken and unnerved, she passed
into another chamber and made pre-
tense to eat of the meal that was made
ready for her. for it was now the hour
Of sunset. While she was thus en-
ployed it was announced that the Phoe-
nician Metem desired TO speak to her.
and she commanded that he should be
admitted.
Lady" he said. bowling as soon as
her attendants had Withdrawn to the
further end of the chamber, you can
guess my errand. This morning gave
you certain tidings which proved both
true and useful, and for those tidings
you promised a reward.'
1T is So she said, and going to q
chest, she drew from it an ivory c2sket
full of ornaments of gold and Of neck
laceS and other objects, set with uncut
precious stones. Take them" she
said, they are yours: that is, save this
gold chain alone. for it is vowed TO
Baaltis.
But. lady" he asked, how can you
appear before lthobal the king thus
robbed of all your ornaments"
Il shall not appear before Ithobal
the king, she answered, sharply.
You say so. Then what will Prince
AZiel think of you when he sees YOU
thus unador:ed?"
My beauty is my adornment," she
replied, not these gems and gold.
Moreover, il is naught to me what ne
thinks, for he hates me and has reviled
me"
Metem lifted his eyebrows incredu-
lously, and went on. Still, 1 Will not
deprive you of this woman's gear
Look now, l value it, and at no high
figure" and drawing out his writer's
palette and a slip of papyrus, he wrote
upon it an acknowledgment of debt
which he asked her to sign.
This document, lady, he said, 81
Will present to your father at a con-
venient season, nor do 1 fear that he
viii refuse to honor it. And now take
my leave, for you-have an appoint
ment to keep, and" he added, with en-
phasis. the time of moonrise is at
hand
Your meaning, pray your" she ask
ed. L have no appointment at moCnrise,
nor at any other hour
Metem bowed politely, but in fash
ion which showed that he put no faith
in her words.
Again 1 ask your meaning" she
said, for your dark hintings are
scarcely TO be borne
The PhoeRician looked at her There
was a ring of truth in her voice.
Lady" he said. will you indeed
deny, after I have seen it written by
yourself, that within some few minutes
you meet the Prince AZiel beneath the |
great tree in the palace gardens, there |
so said the scroll-to ask his aid in |
this matter of the suit of Ithobal?"
Written by myself2" she said Won |
deringly- Meet the Prince AZiel be- |
meath the tree in the palace gardens? !
Never have 1 thought of it."
Yet, lady, the scroll 1 saw purport- |
ed to be written by you, and your own |
woman bore it to the prince. Yoader I
as / think, she sits at the end of the |
chamber. for l know her shape"
Come hither," called ELISA, address |
ing the woman. Now tell me, what |
scroll was this that you carried today |
to the Prince 'Aziel, saying that l sent |
Lady" answered the girl, confused /
~, i never told the Prince Aziel that |
} GU sent him the SCROLL
the truth, woman. the TRUTH said |
her mistress. Lie not, or it will be the
worse for you"
Lady, this is the truth. AS I was
walking through the market place an
Did black woman met me and offered
me a piece of gold if I would deliver a
etter into the hand Of the Prince Aziel.
Fhe gold tempted me, for 1 had need
u IL, and l consented; but of who wrote