The National tribune., 1899-07-27

y
innocence, yet robed in the blackness Of
angerp
looks of the lover?" cried Alharef. Stand
up, Zayda, the child Of Zaydal or turn thy
face upon Calavar, that his delusion may
leave him."
AS he spoke, he lifted the arm which
embraced his child, removed the cap, and
parted the thick clustering locks from her
forehead. Still, however, did she look
rather the effeminate boy, upon whom
Calavar had been accustomed to gaze, than
a woman;-for there is no effort of magma
| ton stronger than that required to trans
form, in the mind, the object which pre-
serves an unchanging appearance to the
| eye. Nevertheless, though such a trans
| formation could not be imagined by Don
Gabriel, there came, as he wistfully sur
| veyed the pallid features of the maiden,
| strange visions and memories, which,
every moment, associated a stronger re-
semblance between the living and the dead.
He trembled still more violently, heavy
dew-drops started from his brow, and he
gazed upon the weeping girl as upon
basilisk.
"Wherefore,D continued the Zegri, speak
| ing rapidly, but with broken accents
when had resolved to fly to the pagans,
as being men whom, | thought, God had
commissioned me to defend from rapine and
slavery, resolved to take such advantage
of their credulity, as might best enable me
to befriend them,- II say, wherefore / re-
solved this need not speak. / protected
my child, by recommending her TO their
superstition; and, had fallen dead in the
streets, still did i know, that reverence and
fear would wait upon the steps of one whom
l delivered to them as messenger from
4 heaven. In this light, / revealed her to the
princes at the temple, when"--
| ut is enoughw muttered Don Gabriel,
with the deep and agitated tones of sorrow;
Il wake from dream.-God forgive me!
and thou art Of the blood of Zayda? the
child of her whom l slew?-Alharef for
gives me; he says that Zayda forgives me;
but thou that art her child, dost thou for
/ give me?"
"Father, dear father, she dothw cried
| Amador, gazing with awe on the altered
countenance Of Alharef, and listening with
|! grief to the means of Zayda. 80 holy
Olmedo rising, at little distance, from the
side OF a man, to whom lie had keel oire ing
the last consolations of reiigion,-"Hither,
! father, for the love Of heaven, and absolye
the soul Of dying Christian"
as the a priest at my side? said the
Iegri, reviving from what seeTel the
lethargy Of approaching dissolution, and
looking eagerly into the face Of the good
Dime 10. Then, turning to Amador. he
said soemnly, though with broken words,
"Thou lowest the orphan Zayda?"
| "Heayen be my help, as do" regie the
cavalier.
and standest in the light Of this young
mans parent,-dost thou onselt that he
shall espouse the daughter Of Zayda
save l, while piteous infant. by Christian
mel, from out OF the house Of death?"
The knight bowed his head on his breast
and strove to answer, but, III his agitation
could not speak n word.
| Quick, father for heavens sake. quick"
cried Aiharef eagerly; "let me, ere | die,
know that my child rests on the bosom OF a
husband. tii.css, for the sand runs fast;
and there is that in my bosom, which tells
me of death. Love and honor thy bride;
for thou hast the last and noblest relic of
Granada. Take her-thou vert her pro-
tector from harsh words and the violence Of
: blows. Quick, father, quick! quick, for
mine eyes are glazing.
The strangely timed and hurried cere-
mony was hastened by the EXPLANATIONS of
Alharef; and the words Of nuptial bene-
r diction were, at last, hurriedly pronounced
? Il see thee not. my child" muttered the
Moor, Immediately after. MY blessing to
, thee, Amador, Gabriel, thou art forgiven.
Thine arm round my neck, Zayda; thy
lips TO mine Would that could see thee!
) Get thee to Granada, with thy lord-to the
: tomb Of thy mother-I will follow thee
, Tarry not in this land Of blood will be
with thee; We have power yet in the hills
Let the cross rest on thy lips, il thou
, diest Christian" said the father
The novice drew the maiden aside; the
Zegri pressed the sacred symbol to his
, lips, but still they muttered strangely of
Granada.
Il am Of the faith of Christ. and Mahomet
defy. Ny people shall be followers Of the
cross. but they shall sweep away the false
, Spaniard. as the wind brushes away the
leaves.-The Emir Of Oran is prepared
, the king of Morocco will follow.-A power
in the hills-Ah! We will creep, by night,
to Granada brave blow!-Africa shall
: foilow.,Ha,, ha!,Seize the gates! storm
the Alhambrai-but spare life-kill no
women,-RememberZ ZaydaI"
} With such wild words, accompanied by
the faint cries of his daughter, the spirit Of
the Moor passed away, and Alharef- ben
| Ismail lay dead in the land of strangers.
A few words viii finish the first part of the
t cronicle OF Don Cristoval. The victory so