Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1902-07-09


did not refuse. Whom he talked o.
my being queen, and of my givind
birth to a king to a king of Damascus,'
l thought it might be my duty to offer
myself did not then know Horam.
But-now-I have learned new things.
dread the fate which l have courted.
fear and loathe the man whose wife
l have promised to become. When |
first promised to give myself to Koran
| felt that l could perform the duty
without the sacrifice of any real vir-
tue or comfort of life. But, oh, how
changed it has all become Not only
does my whole nature shrink from the
sacrifice, but it seems as though fate
worse than death were involved in the
ordeal. Last night dreamed that Ho-
ram was my husband, and that he
meant to kill me- He did not plan to
drown me, as he did poor Helena; but
he declared that l should be thrown
alive into den of wild beasts. 1t
makes you shudder, Abba"
ooh, how terriblew
"And yet, my dear girl, I dreamed
that 1 felt relief when I knew that
death was coming even though 1t was
to come so dreadfully. Just think what
a state of mind that must be. oh, 1t
is horrible! Dear Abba, l know not
what to do"
Have you told me all?" whispered
the bondmaiden, winding her arm
about her mistress neck, and kissing
her upon the brow.
Have I not told you enough" re-
turned Ulin, covering her face with her
hands.
mot If there Is more to tell, dear
lady. You have trusted me this far
trust me with all You have told me
that you dread the king; and I do not
wonder at this. You cannot have for
gotten that I spoke against the union
from the first. 1t seemed to me I'M
natural. But, lady, there is something
more"
Nothing more which dare to tell,
Abba. Nay-do not ask me. have
told you all that l can tell And now
I ask yoH-what can l do? The fatal
hour Is nigh at hand in the which
have promised to give myself to the
king"
There is one thing you can do, my
mistress-one thing alone, which can
see'
Speak, Abba"
you can fee"
Fleet" repeated Ulin, in a startled
whisper.
There is but one other course open
to you.
"And that"
! Marriage with the king"
oh Abba, this Is dreadful! That
same thought OF flight has entered my
mind before; but can I leave my fa-
ther?'
III you become the kings wife, you
l must leave him. Think of it, lady"
. "But whittier can l flee?"
81 have thought of that said the
a bondmaiden, land think 1 know
p where you could find safety Some
miles from Damascus, among the hills
: where the Pharphar winds it's water
J, in mummuring channel. lives an old
y hermit, named Ben Hadad. His home
e is in cave which the hand of nature
has fashioned in the solid rock; and
e his life is given to deeds of charity ant
II good will. l have seen him, and
know that he is good and kind"
= "And how came you to know thi:
5, old MANI" asked the princess witt
e. some surprise.
:. II know him through an old woman
! named FSabel, who has been often il
:, the city, and who was well acquainted
with your mother. This Ezabel uset
= to come often to our house, and one
= Ben Hadad came with her-a white
- haired old man, whose just and TEN
- perate life is lengthening out far be
- yond the span of years usually allotte
:. to man. Your mother gave him none,
= to be expended in charity; and he toll
her, il she ever could find use for hi
- aid, it should be freely given. knoN
= that he will befriend you. If you wis
:. to flee, will go with you, and to tn
last of my strength and my life I wi
help and sustain you. Think of 1t, m
., mistress"
IN 81 will think of it, Abba, and o
the morrow my mind shall be mad
n up. You may retire now. 1t it lat
and we both need rest"
al (To be continued.)