The Holly chieftain., 1901-11-29
CHAPTER xvn.-(continusd. !,


promptin9s Of her heart at that mo-
ment have been read, they would have
revealed secret not much to be won
dered At.
Il think" said Ezabel, after q pause.
that you have had some opportunity
to study Julian's character"
Il have seen enough to assure me
that he Ii noble. generous man.
returned ulin. raising her head.
And" added EzAbel, "if you could
know him better you would find your
impressions strengthened. But he will
not be here long. As soon a. he re-
covers from his wound he will leave
VI
N / am mot mistaken" ventured
our heroine. "Julian is at home in this
rfziace."
~ Most certainly he is. my daughter.
= From his earliest childhood he knew
p other home but this" s6
And he was on his way hither
when he overlook me in the hands of
the Arabs %
'tYes."
"And viii my presence cause him to
leave your"
Il think not, lady. But you will
give yourself no uneasiness on that ac-
count. II 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 gem
erous sacrifices which 1t may be called
upon to make. hear Ben Hadad's
voice. He Is calling me-"
She arose and left the chamber; and
when she returned sne 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 ~ he
bent his gaze upon her and extended
eis hand In welcome, she felt her heart
20 to him with all Its trust and conf
ence.
MY child" he said in tones Of ten
nerest solicitude. "Esabel has told me
yQpr story and have come to bid
Dbu an afectionate welcome to my
ceva Rest here and feel that you are
| at home. Your mother paid me for
\ this long ago. Come follow mo to
where the air Is fresher. and where
the sunbeama can greet you
The maiden thanked Ben Hadad a.
ell - she was able and then rose to
t6llow him. He led her to the main
cave. where she found Hobaddan and
the slaves.
This IL my home" said the old
man. a. he led the maiden to seat;
and here have lived more years than
90 to fill up the allotted age of man.
All these trees and shrubs / have
trained mp from the tender sprout, and
these vines have taught to clothe
the gray old rocks. 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 whole
hour she sat and listened to his CONVEX
sation. At the end Of that time he led
her back to the cave where Ortok. the
black slave. had prepared dinner. She
did not feel hungry. but she sat down
i WAS0 1004 X1a00u &nU k1OO3Uu0N 80A
Csabel-she and Albia-and partook
with them.
Thus passed three days; and Ulin
had become 10 used to the place that
n already seemed like home. She had
etearned to love the hermit: and she
had learned to love Exabel; and she
had learned to respect and esteem the
stout-hearted Hobaddan and to con-
4 verse with him freely. Once she asked
u The lieutenant what had become OF
Julian's band. Would they mot 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
bowed upon her hands. taking NO mo-
tice Of her serving-maid. At an early
hour she retired; but 1t was . long
time ere she slept: and whom 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
- AfnO n~-