The Red Cloud chief., 1901-10-25
CHAPTER xxII-(Continued)

He raised his manacled hands to his
brow, and tried to realize the force Of
the wonderful thing he had heard.
Koran started to his feet, and then
sank back, and buried his face In his
hands. His thoughts had suddenly
flown from the story of the present
hour to that other story which he had
had heard on the night before; and
the crash almost took away his senses.
Omar, when he saw how matters
stood, felt called upon to speak; for
he believed that he had discovered. two
things: First, that his old friend and
brother was struggling to ope his
breast to his child; and, second, that
| Julian might be brought to forgive
ness when he knew the whole truth.
my friends" he said, rising to his
feet a he spoke, 1.-The story Is not yet
complete. 1t remains for me to fin
ish It."
Ben Hadad and Ezabel gazed eagerly
up into his face; and Julian leaned
toward him. with a beam Of hope
struggling upon his brow.
II am to blame In this matter; or.
at least, I was the innocent cause"
continued the King Of Aleppo, address,
ing Ben Hadad and Ezabel. 1T was
] who gave to Koran the evidence
upon which he condemned his wife. !
supposed the guilt OF the lady Helena
was positive, as I had the information
from officers who would not lie; and
I felt 1t my duty to %acquaint the hus-
band with the circumstances. On my
way back to my capital, while stopping
in Balbec, ] gained information which
assured M that the Queen of Damas-
Gus was innocent; and Immediately l
sent back two Of my officers to con-
vey intelligence thereof to Koran.
But those messengers never reached
their destination. They must have
been robbed and murdered on the way.
! pursued my course homeward, and
amid the duties Of my realm, the thing
passed from my mind. Yesterday l
saw Koran for the first time in three
and-twenty years; and last evening l
revealed to him the fact that his first
and best beloved wife. Helena, was
wrongfully a~ccused--that she was pure
and true. When this truth burst upon
him, his grief overcame him. and I
feared that the shock would kill him."
Aye cried Koran, starting up
again, ut did almost kill me; for Hell
ena was my first love, and her place
was never reflled. 0, my brother
what can l do?"
do what Is right" replied Omar,
taking Horam's outstretched hand.
BE q man. and let the heart assert its
sway. Remember that you did the first
great deed Of wrong; and that all tho
other evil has flowed out from that
n unfortunate act"
The king of Damascus stood for a
moment with his head bowed upon
Omar's shoulder, and his hand still In
Omar's grasp. Then he started up,
and his countenance had changed.
by the blood of my heart" he ex-
claimed, "the wrong shall not grow
deeper against me! What. no! With
out, there! Slaves!-attend mel"
The executioners CHANGED to be
nearest. and they answered the call.
"Bel-Dara, strike those irons from
that mans limbs! Strike of every
bond. and set him free! II you harm
him as much as the prick of a rose.
thorn. you life shall answer for it,"
The ~executioner stopped to ask no
questionable did not even stop to
wonder at the order; but he proceed
ed to the work, and In a very few
minutes the prisoner was free.
Then the king started down from
the throne, and advanced to where
the freed man stood.
my son." he said, extending both
his hands. the truth has come SO
naked and SO plain. that, there Is no
room for doubt; and I now see that
] you bear upon your face the features
Of your noble motherhood pardon me
for the wrong ! was led to do her!
And, my son.-here, in the presence of
these witnesses, l ask you to forget
the past--I ask you to be my SON.
i ask you to let me be your father
and then, o, then, Koran will be no
moro childless!"
Julian had no power to resist the
appeal; and as the old king tottered
forward the son supported him upon
his bosom. and sustained him In the
embrace OF his stout arms.
And yet Julian was not content. His
face wore still a cloud; and there was
trouble in his heart.
What could II mean? Koran feared
that his son could not quite love him.
Omar saw the trouble. and OWNED
Its cause; and stepping quickly for
ward he whispered into the ear Of his
brother. Koran caught at the words.
and the star of hope beamed again. He
clapped his hands and cried out:
What. no! Without! Where Is
Benoni?"
The captain came.
"Benoni, bring the lady Ulin!"
Pale and trembling the princess IN
tered the chamber; but when she saw
Julian alive and free, with the shack
les broken at his feet. the blood leaped
again thr0uah her yotns But abe had