Evening star., 1898-03-12

done, had it not been for yonder Prince
Aziei. whom she met IN a wild fashion and
stEaghtway learned to love. Now the thing
is more difficult. Nay. while the Prince
Aziei can take her to wife, it is well nigh
impossible. since no threats OF war or ruin
can turn a wOman's hear from him she
seeks to him she flies. Therefore 1 ask
you--'
Your pardon. king" Metem broke in, .but
would save you perchance from saying
words that do not wish to listen to- ard
that you may afterwaid regret having
spoken If you we're about to require of me
that should cause OF be privy to the death
CT the Prince Aziel, you would require 1t in
Saln' yes, IL you would pay me gold in
mountains and gems in camel loads. With
murder l will have naught to do; more
over, the prince, your rival is my friend,
and will not harm him. Further I may
Tell you that after last night none will be
aDle to come near MIN to hurt hair of his
mead. seeing that through daylight and
through darkness he is guarded by two
men,
And has a woman's body to set before
MN as a shield. said Ithobal bitterly. But
you speak too fast; was not about to ask
you to Kill this man, or even to procure his
Gcath. but rather that you should so con-
trfve that he cannot wed Eissa. How you
contrlVe 1t care nothing so that she is not
harmed. You may kidnap him. or stir up
the city against him, one who would be
the source of war, and cause him to be dis
patcned back to the great sea. bribe tine
y
you will. if only you separate him from this
woman forever. Say, merchant are you
willing to undertake the task, or must my
good gold go elsewhere"
Metem pondered awhile and answered.:
= think that 1 will undertake it, king;
that is, II we can come to terms, though
whether shall succeed is another matter
l will undertake it, not only because I seek
| to enrich myself, but because | and Others
VINO love him think that ii would be a very
eVl .hing that this Prince Aziel, whose
blood Is the most royal in the whole world,
without the consent of the great King of
israei, his grandfather, should wed the
daughter of Phoenican officer, however
beautiful and loving she may be- Also L
love yonder city, and would not see it
plunged in bloody war and perchance de-
stroyed because a certain man would call a
certain girl his sweetheart. And now il
succeed in this. what will you give me?''
lthobal named a great sum.
King, replied Metem, you must double
IT, Tor mat amount you speak of l shall be
forced to spend in bribes. More, you must
give me the gold now, before 1 leave your
camp, or will do nothing"
That you may steal it-and do nothing"
laughed 1thobal angrily.
AS you will, king. Such are my terms;
II tney do not please you, well, let me GO
But II you accepr them, l will sign bond
under which if within eight days I do not
make it impossible for the Prince Aziel to
marry the Lady ELISA, you may reclaim so
much of the gold 1 do not prove to YOU
TO nave been spent upon your service, and
no bond of Metem, the Phoenician, was
ever yet dishonored. Another thing war
soon may break out, or / may be forced to
ny; therefore, l demand of you pass seal
ed with your seal that will enable me to
rlde with twenty men and all my goods and
treasure, even through the midst of your
armies, and you shall swear the great oath
10 me that notice of this pass shall be
given to all your generals, and that it shall
pe respected to the letter. Do you consent
to these terms?
II consent said the king presently
mat evening Metem returned to the CITY
OF Zimboe. but those who led his two
Ian'eis little guessed that now they were
laden, not with merchandise but with treas
ure.
(To be continuedD