The Holly chieftain., 1901-12-06

ter Of About Cassem. and how she had
betrayed him and ned from him. Aud
then he told how he had once captur
ed his dreaded enemy. the Scourge Of
Damascus. and how the prize had
slipped through his fingers by means
of the treachery OF his slaves.
by my life." exclaimed Omar. you
have been most sorely Amicted."
"But the worst Is yet to be told"
pursued Horam. clenching his hands.
and gnashing his teeth. The robber
and the lady Ulin went of on the
same night, and I have every reason
to believe that she corrupted my
slaves to set him free. In fact, am
sure she did. think they will be all
within my power by tomorrow. o.
Omar, you have known much of my
sorrow. l have grown old since We
last met-very old. In years l am but,
the passing Of two harvests ahead of
you; but in trial and trouble have
left you far behind. The last time you
were in Damascus the hrst great trial
Of my life came upon me. You remem-
ber It."
"Of what do you speak,"
"Why-of my wife-of the first wife
ever hAd-of her whom I made my
queen"
DO you mean the Lady Helena?"
ITO be sure I do. Mercy! have you
forgotten"
NO" said Omar. shaking his head.
II remember Helena very we'll. She
was the most bautiful woman ever
saw"
"And as false as she was beauti-
full" added Koran.
as 1t possible? did not think she
would come to that"
"Howw exclaimed the king of Da-
mascus. Does your memory fall
your"
What mean you, Horam? My mem
ory is good.' As
Then why do you wonder when (
speak Of the faithlessness Of my first
queen? Was 1t not yourself that gave
to me the proofs Of her inidelity? Did
you not show to me that she had
fallen?" S@
"You speak in riddles. said the
king Of Aleppo. II remember that we
once suspected the young queen Of be-
slowing her love upon 3 captain OF
your guard-I think his name was ia
bal" M
yes" responded Horam. "Jabal was
the man, and slew him. 1t was your
evidence that convicted both him and
Helena" l.
"And was the queen guilty after
that?"
Guilty after that?" repeated Ho-
ram, slowly and irresolntely. What
| mean you! Do you imagine that
allowed her to live TO commit moro
crime" s@ ]. 81 4.
"Tn mercy's name" cried Omar,
what do you mean by this speech? Do
you remember sanballad and Ben
Huram?" -
eyes," replied Horam. .sThey were
two Of my chamberlains. who accom-
panied you to Aleppo at the time Of
which we have spoken"
NO" said Omar. "they did not quite
go to Aleppo. / sent them back be-
fore reached my capital. They
brought to you my message?"
II never saw them again after they
went away with you," returned Ho-
ram.
"Never-saw-them. Good spirits of
mercy! Are you in earnest Horam ?"
Aye. II they started on their return,
they must have been robbed and kill
ed. for / never saw them after they
left IN your retinue." +
The king Of Aleppo clasped his
hands In agony. sss
20. Horam! Horam!" he exclaimed.
what a fearful mistake was chat!
Bear with me-torgive mel"
What Is 1t, Omar?"
Your beautiful queen was inno-
cent! - .sss
Innocent" gaspsd Horasn. starting
to his feet, and then sinking back
again. "a d,
Yes, my brother. replied Omar, in
trembling tones. "she wasaas innocent
as iAa that natal hour when first she
rested upon her mothers bosom. At
Balbec we found a woman whom
some OF my officers brought before me
sppposing her to be the queen OF Da-
masens. shs was very bssntiful, and
so nearly did she resemble ~ aseen,: