Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1902-07-16
A Story Of
the EASt...
BY
SYLVANUS
COBB. JR.

nm duuttuCts
The princess was not proof against
the spirit which prompted to the re-
ception of the robber. 1t was not
wholly curiosity which moved her.
There were feelings working within
her which she could not have ex-
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
is here"
The bondmaiden went away, and ere
long returned, followed by a tall,
stout, middle-aged man. AS 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 as one whom she
had seen with Julian in the Valley Of
Lycanius He bowed very low as he
entered, and when he saw how the
maiden was affected by his presence,
he proceeded at once to open his bust
ness.
Noble lady" he said, in tone
which might at once have banished all
fear from the minds of his listeners,
II have come to you upon a most
strange business, and will use as few
words as possible in presenting it to
you. My young master Is in danger"
do you speak of Julian?" asked the
princess, with a slight start.
yes, my lady" replied the man,
hat, tHyifb
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. l 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
gaszed. -enxionslx into the -snaaker,s
Lady" pursued the Lieutenant, who
had stopped a moment, as though he
would assure himself that his Ian
guage gave no offense, my master is
in danger. He is in the hands of his
deadliest enemy. He is in this city
cast into a dark, deep dungeon, and
Koran means to kill him!"
Ulin turned pale as death, and
clasped her hands upon her bosom.
Her look signified that she would ask
how it happened.
Il will explain" continued Hobad
dan, how this misfortune befell my
chieftain. Have you ever seen an
Israelite named Judah?"
st know him we'll" said Abba. "He
is the kings slave"
"And two black men, named Osmir
and Selim?"
II know them also" answered the
bondmaiden.
They came to our camp" said Ho-
baddan, land told so fair a story that
they were admitted to fellowship, and
the blacks were placed as servants
near the person of our chieftain. But
the result proved that they were sent
out by Koran, and that their mission
was to capture the Scourge of Damas-
Gus. And this work they have accom-
plished How they did 1t 1 cannot tell.
l only know that we missed our leader,
and that the three conspirators were
missing with him. l came at once to
this city, and have succeeded in dis
covering what l have told you. Julian
is in prison, and Of course the fate of
death awaits him"
But sir, said Ulin, struggling to
speak calmly what can this mean to
me?"
Noble lady, know that the
thought of seeking you was a wild
one; and perhaps you will say it was
monstrous; but I could think of no
other course. know that your father
was prime minister; and that you
were in position to WELD some in
fuence. There is not an officer in
Damascus to whom I would dare to
apply. Is there not some way in
which you can help me?"
How, sir? Help you in what?"
"In setting my young master free"
Indeed, sir, you have taken step
most wild. How should l, the daugh-
ter of About Cassem, dare to step in
between justice and its victim?"
"Ah, lady" returned the lieutenant,
some of us think that others higher
than Julian owe more to justice than
does he"
"still. sir" pursued Ulin, ut is most
absurd to think that could help you
in this"
Did Ulin appear like one offended?
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