The Holly chieftain., 1901-10-11
A Story y
the EAst...
syL1sxsv.
COBB. JR

ht1 audience
The princess was not proof against
the spirit which prompted to the no.
ception Of the robbsr. 1t was NOT
wholly curiosity which moved hsr.
There were feelings working within
her which she could not have sx-
planned. even to herself. She told Al
bia that she might conduct the man
to her apartment
You will come with him. Abba:
and you will remain with me while he
IL here"
The bondmaidsn went away. and ere
long returned. followed by q tall.
stout. middle-ased man. A the rays
Of the lamp fell upon his face. reveal
ing features that were far above the
average In their stamp OF manhood.
Ulin recognized him ~ one whom she
had seen with Julian In the Valley OF
Lycanius. He bowed very low a. he
entered. and when he saw how the
maiden was affected by his presence,
he proceeded at once to open his busi-
ness.
Noble lady" he said. in q tone
which might at once have banished all
fear from the minds of his listeners.
Il have come to you upon a most
strange business. and will use ~ few
words as possible In presenting 1t to
you. Ny young master Is in danger"
do you speak Of Julian?" asked the
princess, with slight start.
Yes, my lady" replied the man,
standing respectfully before her. with
his cap In his hand
My name is Hobaddan, and I am
Julian's lieutenant / have been with
him from the period of his earliest
childhood. Since he was large enough
to lift lance, l have been his friend
and companion. He was given into
my care during his opening youth;
and when he reached the estate of
manhood was content to serve him.
l love him as brother-aye. better
than most brothers love. 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
gaxed anxiously into the speakers
face.
Lady" pursued the lieutenant. who
had stopped . moment. ~ though he
would assure himself that his lam
guage gave no offense, my master IL
in danger. He is in the hands Of his
deadliest enemy. He Is in this city
cast into q dark, deep dungeon. and
Horam means to kill him!"
Ulin turned pale as death, and
clasped her hands upon her bosom.
Her look signined that she would ask
how 1t happened.
81 will explain" continued Hobad-
dan. how this misfortune befell my
chieftain. Have you ever seen an
Israelite named Judah"
Il 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
bondmatden.
"They came to our camp said Ho-
baddan, "and told 10 fair a story that
they were admitted to fellowship. and
the blacks were placed a.. 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-
piished How they did 1t / cannot tell.
/ only know that we missed our leader,
and that the three c0nspirators were
missing with him. l came At once to
this city, and have succeeded In dis
covering what have told you. Julian
IL IN prison, and Of course the fate Of
death awaits him"
"But sir, said Ulin, struggling to
speak calmly, what can this mean to
mel"
Noble lady, know that the
thought Of seeking you was . wild
one; and perhaps you will say II was
monstrous; but could think Of no
other course. know that your father
was prime minister; and that you
were In . position to WELD some in
nuence. There IL mot an oflcer in
Damascus to whom I would dare to
apply. II there not some way In
which you can help met"
How. sir? Help you In what?"
"In setting my young master free"
Indeed. sir. you have taken q step
most Wild. How should l, the daugh-
ter Of About Cassem. dare 70 stsp In
between Justice and its victimf"
"Ah. LADY" returned the lieutenant.