The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1901-11-08
ODE ScOurge
ofDamascus
CHApTER xyu.-(Continued.)
Copyrighted 1901 by Robert Bonner's Sons

CHAPTER (Continued.)
Ulin bowed her head upon her
hands; and could the instructive
promptings Of her heart at that mo-
ment have been read. they would have
revealed a secret not much to be won
dered at
IT think" said Ezabel, after pause,
shat you have had some opportunity
to study Julian's character
Il have seen enough to assure me
that he is noble, generous man"
returned Ulin, raising her head.
"And," added Ezabel, III you could
know him better you would find your
impressions strengthened. But he VIII
not be here long. AS soon as he re-
covers from his wound he will leave
us
"If | am not mistaken" ventured
our heroine, Julian is at home in this
place."
Most certainly he is, my daughter.
From his earliest childhood he knew
no other home but this"
And he was on his way hither
when he overlook me in the hands of
the Arabs
yes"
"And will my presence cause him to
leave your"
II think not, lady. But you will
give yourself no uneasiness on that ac-
count If Julian feels that he had bet
ter be away from you, he will go for
his own sake And, remember-the
truly noble soul finds JOY in the gen.
,erous sacrifices which 1t may be called
upon to make l hear Ben Hadad's
voice. He is calling me"
She arose and left the chamber; and
when she returned she was followed by
Ben Hadad. Now that Ulin saw the
hermit by the light of the day she was
awe-struck by his venerable appear
,ance All that could be noble and
honorable and lovable in old age
seemed combined in him; and as he
bent his gaze upon her and extended
his hand in welcome, she felt her heart
go to him with all its trust and conf
.dence.
MY child" he said in tones of ten
.derest solicitude, "Ezabel has told me
your story and / have come to bid
you an affectionate welcome to my
cave. Rest here and feel that you are
at home. Your mother paid me for
this long ago. Come-follow me to
where the air is fresher, and where
the sunbeams can greet you"
The maiden thanked Ben Hadad as
well as she was able and then rose to
follow him. He led her to the main
-.cave, where she found Hobaddan and
the slaves.
This is my home" said the old
man, as he led the maiden to seat;
'and here have lived more years than
go to ill up the allotted age Of man.
trained up from the tender sprout, and
these vines l have taught to clothe
the gray old rccks. And / have been
most fortunate in my life. have been
able to protect many who needed pro-
lection and my days have been length
ened out to protect more"
Ulin was touched by the deep pathos
of the hermit's words, and for a whole
hour she sat and listened to his CONVEX
sation. At the end of that time he led
Ter back to the cave where Ortok, the
black slave, had prepared dinner. She
did not feel hungry, but she sat down
with Ben Hadad and Hobadden and
Ezebel-she and Albia-and partook
with them.
Thus passed three days; and Ulin
had become so used to the place that
1T already seemed like home. She had
learned to love the hermit; and she
had learned to love Ezabel and she
had learned to respect and esteem the
stout-hearted Hobaddan and to con-
verse with him freely Once she asked
the lieutenant what had become of
Julian's band. Would they not be
seeking him?
And he explained to her that he had
communicated with them-that they
knew of their chieftain's safety and
had gone away into the mountains of
Lebanon, where comfortable abiding
places for them were plenty.
When Ulin retired to her own apart
ment she sat by herself, with her head
Vowed upon her hands, taking no no.
tice of her serving-maid. At an early
hour she retired; but 1t was a long
time ere she slept; and when she did
sleep she was troubled with strange
dreams. She dreamed of the unfortu-
nate Helena, and awoke with cry
of pain. And then she dreamed more
pleasant dream-a dream of something
that had haunted her waking thoughts
"a dream of the Scourge and Damas-
Gus.
CHAPTER XVIII.
Something More Than a Dream.
On the following morning, when
Hin entered the main cave JuIian