Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1901-09-19
A Story Of
the East...
By
SYLVANUS
COBB. JR.

| Pincess, Win Sugnt START.
Yes, my lady" replied the man,
standing respectfully before her, with
his cap in his hand.
MY name Is Hobaddan, and am
Julian's lieutenant. l have been with
him from the period of his earliest
childhood. Since he was large enough
to lift a lance, have been his friend
and companion. He was given into
4 my care during his opening youth;
and when he reached the estate of
manhood | was content to serve him.
| love him as a brother-aye, better
than most brothers love. I love him
tenderly and devotedly. And all his
followers love him. A thousand stout
men love and worship him."
What did all this mean? Why had
Hobaddan come to tell her this? Ulin
trembled, knowing not wherefore, and
gazed anxiously into the speakers
face
Lady" pursued the lieutenant, who
had stopped a moment, as though he
would assure himself that his Ian
guage gave no offense, my master is
in danger. He is in the hands of his
deadliest enemy. He Is in this city
cast into a dark, deep dungeon, and
Horam means to kill him!"
Ulin turned pale as death, and
clasped her hands upon her bosom.
Her look signified that she would ask
how it happened.
II will explain" continued Hobad-
dan, "how this misfortune befell my
chieftain. Have you ever seen an
Israelite named Judah"
IT know him WE'LL" said Abba. "He
is the kings slave"
"And two black men, named Osmir
and Selim?"
Il know them also," answered the
bondmaiden.
"They came to our camp" said Ho-
baddan, land told so fair a story that
they were admitted to fellowship, and
the blacks were placed as servants
near the person of our chieftain. But
the result proved that they were sent
out by Horam, and that their mission
was to capture the Scourge of Damas-
Gus. And this work they have accom-
plished How they did it cannot tell.
only know that we missed our leader,
and that the three conspirators were
missing with him. l came at once to
this city, and have succeeded in dis
covering what have told you. Julian
is in prison. and of course the fate OF
death awaits him."
But sir, said Ulin, struggling to
speak calmly, what can this mean to
me?"
Noble lady, know that the
thought of seeking you was wild
one; and perhaps you will say it was
monstrous; but | could think of no
other course. I know that your father
was prime minister; and that you
were in a position to WELD some in
fluence. There is not an officer in
Damascus to whom would dare to
apply. Is there not some way in
which you can help me?"
How, sir? Help you in what?"
I'm setting my young master free"
Indeed, sir, you have taken a step
most wild. How should |, the daugh-
ter of About Cassem, dare to step in
between justice and its victim?"
"Ah, lady" returned the lieutenant,
some of us think that others higher
than Julian owe more to justice than
does he"
still, sir" pursued Ulin, sit is most
absurd to think that could help you
in this"
Did Ulin appear like one offended?
| No. Did she treat the name of Julian
as though she deemed him worthy of
the fate which threatened him? No.
She seemed rather to be struggling to
put away some feeling of very diff
ferent character. The lieutenant evil
IDENTIFY read her nature, for he pro-
ceeded earnestly:
do not misunderstood me, lady.
Were the work simply to set Julian
free, / should not have visited you.
The work would give into your hands
is the salvation of Damascus. II our
master is slain by the king. this city
must suffer terribly. The vengeance of
those who love the chieftain will be
| dreadful. IL Julian falls beneath the
sword of the kings executioner, his
followers will draw more blood from
the life of this people than Polypses
drew when he ravaged the city of the
northern plain. To save all this, no
| BILE princess, can you not help me? Is
there not some way in which you can
remove the bolt from the door Of the
chieftain's prison-house?"
Ulin was trembling more violently
| than before.
20, sir" she cried. giving full scope
now to her feelings. you find me
powerless to help you. | have not
the influence which you ascribe to me.
II had the power. would not hest
tate II l were the jailer, and held
the keys of the prison door, I would
set your master free; but alas! am
more weak than you imagine. ] am
more like a prisoner than like a prin-
cess!"
At this juncture the bondmaiden
arose from her seat and moved for
ward. Her dark eyes sparkled with
peculiar fire. and her fair brow worked
as though the balm were revolving
mighty thoughts.
Dear lady" she said. addressing
her mistress, there is but one way in
which We can render the assurance
which this man seeks"
Speak, Abba" said Ulin. betraying
a suddenness Of emotion which told
very plainly how her desire ran.
Not now, my mistress" returned
the girl. Il must have time: II this
man can come to our garden two hours
past midnight, l can tell him more
nIs thera heln2n asked HOhaddan