The Red Cloud chief., 1901-07-12

iorrence. Hut OF N thing I give you
warning: In telling the story OF Ju-
liam ] must speak harsh words against
your afianced husband"
observation-disclosures" repeated
Tin. with a troubled pause between
her words.
II mean Koran, King of Damas-
Gus" said the stranger. regarding the
beautiful maiden M though he read
her every thought.
II am not keeper over the character
OF Koran. The truth. spoken In u true
cause. will not offend me-"
Then, lady, let me first assure you
that Julian IL not the monster yonr
fears have painted. lie has never done
Damascus. Go to the forests and
mountains OF Lebanon. and you shall
ind a thousand poor peasants whose
families he has ~befriended. He has
taken gold and Jewels. and precious
stuffs Of silk and linen. from the stores
OF Koran; but he hath noe made him
self rich therefrom. He and his fol-
lowers have lived. and beyond this the
booty has been bestowed upon the poor
and needy. Julian hath also waylaid
and broken mp caravans: and turned
back many expeditions which the king
had sent out. He nay be Just what
hath been said-he may be the Scourge
Of Damascus. but he has no wish to
trouble honest men. His aim has been.
vengeance upon the king"
d, And why. should he seek such. YEN
. seance upon the king?" asked ulin.
II will tell you. lady. But for the
king Of Damascus Julian might he now
n of the most free and happy men
living: but as II Il. he Is a stranger and
an outcast upon the face Of the earth.
He Ia a wanderer, without a home. and
with only such friends as are bound
to him In his adventurous and danger
Gus course. Once many years ago-he
had parents and the prospect Of life
was bright before him; but In an I'M
happy hour the gloom and the dark
ness came. Koran, In wicked. Jealous
wrath. swept away all that was bright
and promising from the path OF Julian
and shut cut the star Of hope forever.
o. sweet lady, I dare not pain your ear
with all that Koran did. Were to
tell you all. you would regard the
king AZ such a monster that your
heart would close against him. and
your very soul would shrink at the
sound OF his anne. As true as the
heavens are above us. so true Is It that
the heart of Julian Is not evil. Wher
!, he looks back upon the utter desola'
ton OF his young life. and realizes tina
the king OF Damascus Malignant!
and cruelty brought the curse upol
him can you wonder that his soul 4
fraught with vengeance?"
81 never heard this story before,
/, said Ulin, her voice trembling will
deep emotion. III 1t Ia true, as 20,
have told me, I cannot blame Juliai
/, so much"
And yet you fear him. lady?"
II cannot help II. He hath com,
hither In battle array, and made wa
against me-"
NAY. nay. sweet lady. You do muci
mistake his intent. 7 can tell you VIII!
ut CdAIt itHVI ~ var tIOHu ~ uitS
senger whom he met upon the plains o
Martial, that a fair damsel was shu'
up here-a maiden whom the king In
tended to marry. 1t might have pleas
ed him to deprive Koran OF a wife.
but II pleased him more to release
gentle lady from such enslavement. II,
knows what the king OF Damascus has
ere this. done unto his wives. HI
has heard that the dark waters OF tn
, Pharpor are but a short span from tn
, royal bed. And hence he came 4
set free n whom he feared Nigh
meet a worse fate than the encounter
Ing OF the Scourge of Damascus. ID,
he commit a grievous sin In this
, LADY,"
Indeed, sir, l know not what Il
: say"
! will you nj see Julian? Do no
> shudder. I assure you that ne will b
most gentle In his bearing. But
t know he would like to speak with yo'
I he would hear from your own lip
that you do not think him a monster
I and he would also know your pleas
ure."
when will he Gomez"
Let it be tomorrow morning, lady
II Is near evening now, and your res
0 shall not be disturbed. You may sleel
as safely tonight as ever you slep
upon your mothers bosom. and 81
shall you be safe while I am near you
YOU viii see Julian In the morning.
= you will come with him."
"If you wish II, lady"
81 do wish II. for ! feel that ] an
acquainted with you; and. further
Q more. I have said that I would trus
you"
1T shall be So"
. And thus speaking the visitor arose
and moved towards the door. He turn
ed. with his band upon the latch, ant
added: