The Wichita daily eagle., 1904-03-09
ASSAN'S TRIUMPH
A LEGEND OF BAGDAD.

ing ike OldnlOnQS or a IlouSdiu CcioA0
played upon the ripples of the RAPID flow
ing water. Thick rosebushes hung over
the rivers banks, scattering myriads ol
leaves upon the wavelets. Romping In
elfish glee, the little water sprites chased
the green ntruders, and their Laughter
was like the music Of countless silver
bells.
On the broad marble terraces leading
from the city down to the waters edge,
the people of Bagdad sat luxuriating in
the evenings cool after the hot glow OF
the day. Softly upon their ears fell the
laughter OF the water, mingled with the
strains Of dulcet music from secret tryst-
ing places amid the rOsebushes-songs OF
love and longing sung to the accompani-
ment of guitar and lutte. Across the
river the mighty castle Of the Caliph
reared above the water. its great marble
walls cleaning Ike the pulmage of a
proud white swan
At one end of the castle a projecting
tower rose. strong and massive, from out
little garden. On the battlement bloom
ing rosebushes crowned the tower with a
floral helmet, and creeping downward,
clothed it in a gown of royal purple.
AuOuS tltc DlditlltS tAiNAC SDbiiN.-N u
nightingale's Ianguishing "BuI- bul-tee-tee-
tee-teere-e-e."
At the window, Assam. the favorite son
of the Caliph, stood listening TO the voices
of the evening, deep in thought Upon the
bosom Of the river he saw drifting
wreaths OF flowers and branches Of olive
and myrtle-night gifts to the river from
Bagdads beautiful wOmen-niSht gifts
that slender hands had east upon the Wa
ter. and wistful eyes had watched as they
elided onward attended by the bestowers
petitions that the lordly Tigris would be
pleased to grant them that for which their
hearts most longed.
Assam knew fun well all these prayer
ful wishes. gliding carelessly upon the
water down to meet the ocean. And he
laughed-laughed so loudly that the night
ineaIe in the tendrils of the roses ceased
in alright her music At the sudden still
ress. Assam checked his laughter and ad-
dressed the invisible sOngster:
Thou art silent. my sweet one, Thou
canst not understand that The wishes that
go with the wreaths and branches there
upon the water are chains to make slaves
Of freemen."
ITO make slaves Of freemen. Assam
1t was the silvery voice Of a maiden that
suddenly and gently echoed the words of
the son of the Caliph. And while she yet
was speaking two arms. slender and
graceful. were entwincd about his neck.
Hearts light! Thou star of Bagdad.
Ny Marghyla" And Assam joyously
caught in his strong arms the youthful
partner OF his bosom.
Yes, il is l. my Assam. Roses two I
bring thee as a gift for our lordIy Tigris
See, the dark red one is for you. and the
white one-is for me. And. see, together
l have bound them with band of silk
To the waters / shall throw them. my
Assan-our offering to the mighty river
that our wish may be brought to fulfill
ment"
our wish?' 'murmured the son of the
CaIiph. and his voice was as the sound Of
sishing.
Questioningly then looked Marshyia in
to the eyes of her beloved.
But Assam stood as A statue, and his
silence was full of portent.
Bind my roses as last cried Assam;
but bind them fast with an iron chain
or chain of gold. if the metal be heavy!
Thy silken band is far too fragile
-'No. light Of my soul" said Marshlya;
''noither by golden chains nor iron bands
shall love. true love. he bound. 4 glance
Of an eye. a touch OF the hand breath
OF "A kiss-that shall bind love for ever
and for aye. My thread Of silk, O Assam,
SO thin it is. it S like cobweb-is to me
only as a symbol"
Saying which. the maiden stretched her
d. e. q lot
the roses slowly drop into the river Then
once more she spoke to her beloved
Assam. O Assam. my loved one, What
has kept thee these last three days from
the garden. there to talk with me as was
once thy habit? Why has thou secluded
thyself here in the tower?"
over the brow Of Assam burrows formed
and deepened. Gently the maiden stroked
his forehead. as if she would smooth out
the wrinkles
1t is not wei with thee. my Assam"
1T is not he answered. and none can
help me. Thou sayest love is bound by
the breath of kiss in fetters stronger /
than iron chains Al, that is why, o
Marghyla, no one can help me-
NO one?"
''No onei BY the beard of the Prophet
were it not for thee, all the swords Of the
Caliph could not hinder me-could not
hold me-"
And ! hold thee? Oh, Assam, tell me
what evil I do thee"
'Evil,'-and the son of Caliph laugh
ed loudly-"I wish thou wouldst do me
evil"
Assam"
''Forbear. my beloved, Thou knowest
not my thoughts. an dthou canst not help
me. Look, far to the East. where rules
the mighty Emperor ot the Franks
there the land resounds with the clash Of
srns and the noise Of the combat. Horses (
stamp, Swords flash, Javeiines fly, JOY /
ously floats on the breeze the war cry of +.
our heroes: Allah il Allah" Gold CLEANS F.
the crescent above the trampiinC steeJs,
There is might and freedom; but here 4
weakness and slavery, All, would | were
there with my brothers. battling and
sweeping on to victory, He. and only he
that has fought for his live through vic /
tory, knows what it is 10 live, Victory, /
All, Il IS victory that makes Up free. and 4
enables Us 70 live out our lives in proud 4
happiness. at peace with ourselves and /
the world. Give me but one victory-one /
victory-and shall he content"
And hast thou truly gained no victory /
Assan?'
Wistfully the maiden looked at her lover /
but her tender meaning he understood NOT +
and he answered;
mo; none"
And is lido I keep thee from-they
victory"
Yes my beloved
For a few moments silence. Then tho