The Red Cloud chief., 1901-09-27

protect you, II need be. with all the
power I possess; and l assure you that,
our good Ben Hadad will join me with
all his hsart. You did right In fleeing
from the wicked king. l know him
well, lady; and l believe you have not
only saved yourself from an unhappy
fate, but you have saved Koran from
committing more crime. Thus much
we understand; and now. my dear
Ulin. II I may venture upon the In
curry, what do you propose to do In
the future?'
MY thoughts in that direction have
been vague and troublesome" replied
the princess. She spoke frankly, for
Ezabel had won her entire confidence.
Il have reflected upon the subject, and
my mind has found but one resting
place. I must remain away from
Damascus until the king is dead.
can think nothing more. Where
abide l care not, so long as I am safe
from HARM
The princess fell upon the woman's
neck and blessed her; and after a little
time she became calm, and wiped the
grateful tears from her face. Her next
question was OF Julian. Had he yet
left the cave?"
NO." replied Ezabel: nor will he
leave It at present! He is wounded in
the breast. and"
Wounded" repeated Ulin, catching
suddenly at the word. and turning
pale. rs 1t dangerous?"
No, not dangerous, lady; but no
must have rest and nursing. II is
more serious than he at first thought;
but IL he is careful, there will be no
danger"
oh" cried the maiden. in a ont Of
relief, II am glad 1t is not dangerous.
IL he had suffered on my account, the
JOY OF my escape from Koran would
have been sadly ~darkened."
CHAPTER XVIII.
Ezabel bowed her head, and pressed
her hands upon her brow. There was
certainly some deep and sudden emo
ton moving within her, for her frame
trembled, and incoherent %whisperings
fell from her lips.
Julian will not suffer-" she said.
when she at length raised her head.
Ben Hadad has examined his wound.
and 1t can be easily healed"
You have known Julian for some
time" pursued Ulin, musingly.
Yes. l have known him from child.
hood, and my son has been his con.
slant companion"
Your SOM"
"A~h-perhaps you did not know that l.,
Hobaddan was my son."
II did MT"
"Well-such is the fact. Hobaddan
Is my only child. He was a strong
youth, with the stature of manhood,
while yet Julian was an infant; and
from those early years the two have
been always together. In the begin
ming Hobaddan was the guide and pro-
tector; but in later years, since Julian
has reached the age and strength of
maturity, my son has been content to
call him master"
Julian is much feared in Damascus"
said Ulin.
1.-THE king fears him." returned Eza- :
bel. quickly; land he has occasion for
fear; but no poor man fears him.
However, I will not take it upon my
self to excuse Julian's faults. He may
sinned; he may have pursued his
revenge too far. Let those who have
what he has suffered con-
denim him II they can"
He has suffered much, good moth
err"
More than I can tell, my child"
"He is of Damascus born?"
Yes"
"And-perhaps-of honored family"
"The blood which rum in his veins
Is as pure and noble as ever supported '
human life. The king himself can
not boast a nobler origin; ave." con-
tihued Ezabel, with startling earnest
ness, land even now, with the whole
story Of his life up to this present
hour, stamped upon his brow. he 10
nobler, and better. and purer. than tho
Of Damascus. He is a man, and
his heart IL true; and I love him for
generous, devoted love there is In
his soul"
ITO be continued.)