Evening star., 1898-03-12
CHAPTER VU.-Contfnued.

bad but dreamed a dream, though II was a
very vivid one. Still shaken and unnerved,
she passed into another chamber and made
pretense to eat of the meal that was made
ready for Fer, for it was now the hour of
sunset. While she was thus employed it
announced that the Phoenician Mstem
desired to speak with her. and she COM
rnanded that he should be admitted.
Lady, he said, bowling as soon as her
attendants had withdrawn to the further
erd of the chamber, you can guess my
errand. This morning l gave you certain
tidings. which proved both true and useful,
ard for those tidings you promised re-
ward"
ut is So she said. and going to chest
she drew from it ivory casket full OF
ornaments of gold and of necklaces and
other objects set with uncut precious
stones. Take them" she said. they are
yours. that is. save this gold chain alone,
for ii is vowed to Baaltis.'
Put. lady" he asked, ''how can you ap-
pear before Ithobal 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 the Prince
Aziel think of you when he sees you thus
VI radorned?'
piled, mot these gems and gold. More
over. it is naught to me what he thinks,
for he hates me and has reviled me-"
Metem lifted his eyebrows incredulously,
and went on. Still, / will not deprive you
of this woman's gear. Look, now, 1 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 convenient sea-
son, nor do / fear that he will refuse TO
honor it. And now 1 take my leave for
you-have an appointment to keep, and
he added. with emphasis, 1.-The time Of
moonrise is at hand
'forr meaning. l pray you?" she asked
have no appointment at moonrise, nor
Metem bowed politely, but in a fashion
which showed that he put no faith in her
words.
Again 1 ask your meaning" she said,
Tor your dark hinttngs are scarcely to be
borne"
The Phoenician looked at her There was
a ring of truth in her voice.
Lady. he said, will you indeed deny
az Ter nave seen it written by yourself
that within some few minutes you meet
tEe Prince Aziel beneath the great tree in
the palace gardens. there-so said the scroll
of Ithobal?"
Written by MYSELF" she said. wonder
lnsly: Meet the Prince Aziel beneath the
Tree In the palace gardens? Never have
thought of it,
ne written by you, and your own woman
bore 1t TO the prince. Yonder as I think.
she sits at the end of the chamber, for
know her shape
Come hitherr' called Flissa addressing
the woman Now. tell me, what scroll
vas thiS that you carried today to the
Pri ice Aziel. saying that I sent it?''
Lady. answered the girl confused1y
! never told the Prince Azia
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 was walk
ing through the market place an old black
woman met ME and offered me a piece Of
gold if | would deliver a letter into the
hand of the Prince AzieI. The gold temn--
ed me. for l had need of it, and / consep-
ed: but of who wrote the letter | know
nothing. nor have L ever seen the woman
before"
You have done wrong, girl" said Elissa.
but L believe your tale. Now, CO.
When she had gone ELISA stood for a
"hle thinking. and as she thought Metem
saw an expression of fear gather on her
face.
Say" she asked him. lis there anything
strarge about this tree of which the scroll
It's size is strange" he answered, land
ground
As he spoke she uttered a little cry.
An, she said. lit is the tree of my
dram Now-now l understand. Swift.
Oh. come with me swiftly, for see. the
moon rises,' and she sprang to the door.
followed by the wondering Metem.
Anpther minute and they were speeding
DOWN the street so fast that those who
loitered turned their heads and laughed
for they thought that a Jealous husband
pursued his wife. AS ELISA furnbled at
The hasp OF the door of the garden Metem
overlook her.
w hat means this hunt?" he gasped.
That they have decoyed the prince here
to murder him. she answered and sped
through the gateway
Therefore We must be murdered also-a
Womdns logic" he reflected to himself as
he painted after her.
Swiftly ELISA had run through the
street here she redoubled her speed, fitting
through the glades like some white spirit
AMI 50 rapidly that her companion found
1t 1ifficIit 10 keep her in view At length
they came TO a large open space of ground
upon which played the level beams of the
rising moon, striking upon the dense green
foliage OF an immense tree that grew there
Around this tree ELISA ran glancing about
her wildly, so that for a few seconds Me-
tenn lost sight of her. for its bulk was be-
tween them When he saw her again she
was speeding forward toward the figure of
a man. who stood in the OPEN about ten
PAGES from the outer boughs of the tree
10 which she pointed she ran, crying,
Another moment and she had almost
reached. him. and still pointing, began TO
gasp some broken words Then suddenly
In the bright moonlight, Metem saw a shin
ing object flashed toward the pair from the
darkness CT the tree. 1t would seem that
Elissa saw IL also; at least. she ledped from
the ground. her arm lifted above her head
as though TO catch the object then as her
feet touched the earth she fell with a moan
OF pain. On Metem ran toward her, and as
he went he perceived shape which looked
Ike that Of a black dwarf slip from the
shadow OF the tree into some bushes be-
Eond, where IL was lost Now he WAS there
TO find ELISA half seated half lying on the
ground, the Prince Aziel bending over her
and hXed through the palm OF her right
hand. which she held up piteously, a little
iVOry-pointed arrow
Draw II out from the wound" he painted
1t avails not, she answered, .'the arrow
IS poisoned
With an exclamation Metem knelt beside
her, and. not needing her groans of pain.
drew the dart through the pierced palm
Then he tore a strip of linen from his robe
and. knotting IL around her wrist he took
broken stick that lay near and twisted
the linen till ii almost cut into her flesh
Now, prince he said, suck the wound
for have no breath for II. Fear not lady
i know salye that is an antidote for this
poison, and presently i will be back with 4,