Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1901-08-22

knowing that the king feared me.
When l have heard my name spoken
by the rich and powerful with fear
and trembling, have liked it; and
when have known that Koran dread
ed my approach, I have felt that my
| labors were not without their result.
But these have not been my joys. In
Damascus the name of Julian Is ter
ror: but there are other places where
that name is spoken with love and
gratitude. Upon the plains Of Abilene,
and in the mountain passes Of Leban-
on, where the busy craftsmen prepare
timber for Jerusalem-there Julian is
hailed as a friend and benefactor. The
| grim satisfaction of torturing the
cruel King of Damascus is tempered
and softened by the calmer atmos-
phere of these friendly regions"
Why did Ulin sit so still and listen
with such rapt attention to the words
Of the speaker? She bent her head as
| though soft music were stealing DER
her senses; and she gaZed upon the
man before her as though a grand, in
spring picture had been unfolded to
her vision. His words carried truth in
their very sound, and all her sympa-
thies had been aroused. She was
woman whose nature had not been
warped by art; and the avenues to her
soul were guarded only by the pure
instincts of virtue and humanity. Not
| always the safest guard; but still the
happiest when surrounding influences
| are not evil.
"And now, lady," pursued Julian, Il
must tell you why am here; and in
doing this | speak only those words
necessary to the truth. On my way
| from the plains l met a messenger,
who informed me that a fair maiden
had been shut up in the Palace of the
Valley. could not believe that a beau
| tiful young virgin had willingly given
herself to the desires of Koran. I
thought she had been shut up thus
against her own pleasure. With this
| belief | resolved to release her. The
result you know. have heard your
| story from the lips of the black slave
| who attends upon you, and she in
forms me that you are affianced to the
king by your own consent, and without
any desires on your part to the con-
trary. Is it so?"
The slave told you truly. sir" re-
piled Ulin. bowling her head, and
| speaking in a very low tone.
And you came here to this place of
your own free will?"
Eyes, sir. My period of mourning
was not passed, and the king brought
me hither that l might be more re-
| tired"
"And but for the death of your
mother you would have been the
kings wife ere this?"
Ulin replied in the Affirmative; but
her voice trembled, and she seemed to
shudder at the thought thus presented.
Lady" said Julian, showing some
| emotion. which he evidently did not
| mean to show. ''for my seeming wrong
| | most humbly beg your pardon. / had
thought to wrest from the grasp of the
| king one who was an unwilling cap
tive; but since l find myself mistaken
l will do all I can to make amends. A
| and" said the robber, rising to his
feet, ''it is better that l should leave
| you at once"
He stopped, and swept his hand
acres his brow. and when he resumed
his speech was very low, and his voice
| tremulous:
This has been a most strange ad-
venture; and as I now look upon 1t,
it seems as though some mischievous
sprite had planned 1t. AS live |
| thought when | came hither but such
| as have told you of. have met you,
lady, and for the first time in my life
| towards my native city. Henceforth
| there will be something in Damascus
towards which my thoughts will turn
with other sentiments than those of
bitterness. Lady Ulin, we may never
meet again. In this moment of our
strange companionship, may not take
you by the hand?"
She could not have refused had she
wished; but that she had no wish so
to do was evident from the free and
| friendly manner In which she arose to
meet him. She gave him her hand,
and suffered him to raise II to his lips.
Dear lady, should we never meet
again, | trust that you will bear one
kindly thought Of Julian. II you are
forced to think of the wrongs he
has done, let memory OF the wrongs
he has suffered be some extenuation.
Bless you, lady! All good spirits
guard and protect you; and peace be
thine forevermore! FAREWELL"
He turned and was gone. Ulin felt
a warm spot upon her hand-a drop OF
| moisture-a tear! She gazed upon 1t,
and knew that it came not from her
| eye 1t fell there with the kiss. A
strange tribute from the Scourge of
Damascus!
abba, think I shall never see
that man again: but shall remember
him with emotions far removed from
| fear or terror"
| "You will remember him as little
as possible. my Mistress" said the
slave girl. taking a seat close by Ulin's
side. and resting her hand upon her
arm.
What mean you, Abba? Why
should my memory be narrowed or
shortened?"
Because you are to have a husband
who will demand your every thought
and feeling. Koran is deeply versed
in all the secrets of the female heart.
and his eyes will not sleep while you
have thought which he does not
understand"
Indeed, Abba" cried the princess.