The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1905-11-09
A Story Of
the Cost.
SYLVANUS
COBB. JR.

~ A~ oA5ApPSa1 "a Ia IAAC w
pass, and when the last man had gone
from her sight she turned to her COM
panion.
Abba, what. is it about this terrible
robber-this Scourge of Damascus? I
have heard something about him. l
heard my father once speak of him;
but my little knowledge of the world
did not lead me to be inquisitive. Do
you know anything about him?"
Il have heard a great deal of him,
my lady. He has been a terror to Da-
mascus for a great many years.
How many years, Abba? 1 was
thinking that my father said he had
not been long known in this section
II may be mistaken" said Abba,
trying to recollect herself. st know
that he is a terrible Scourge, and that
men fear him; but I do not know how
many years he has been so. 1t may
not be so many as 1 thought"
But who is he? Where did he come
from?"
"Ah, there is a mystery, my dear
mistress. Nobody knows where he
came from; but it is said that he. is
one whose family has suffered some
great calamity at the hands of Horam.
He is alone in the world, so far as rela-
tlves are concerned, and Horam hath
done it.; and so he comes to seek ven
geance. He has a large body Of bold
men under him, and twice has he met
and overcome the forces which the
king had sent out to capture him. He
does not rob as common robbers do.
He new troubles the poor, or those
of the middle class; but the rulers and
princes of Damascus he causes to suf-
fer"
did you ever see him; Albia?"
Mercy! no. l would not see him for
the world. He must be terrible to
look upon. l have heard one of your
fathers officers say that he could
strike a blow with his fist to fell an OK.
and that before the lightning of his
eye brave men shrank in terror. O.,
1 should be afraid to see him."
ut seems to me that 1 should like
to see such a man." said Ulin, in a
musing tone. II have never seen such
men. The nan whose arm can strike
down al OK, and whose eye flashes
forth such. power, could not harm a
helpless maiden"
Upon my life, you have a curious
TASTE" Abba returned.
Because" added Ulin, with a smile,
II had my taste cultivated.
Still, in all seriousness, it does seem
to me that I should love to lean upon
a strong, bold man. If 1 were to love
a a with my whole heart, 1 should
like him to be SO strong and so power
full and so brave, that his very pres
ence would be protection to me. Is
that very stranger"
t"It is so strange" replied the slave,
significantly, that I fancy the king
would feel new cause for jealousy if he
should hear o say So"
When I am the kings wife I shall
be true to him, and I shall honor and
respect him. I will love him if I can.
But, Abba. there is no need Of saying
more. We will have our dinner, and
then We will walk out into the gar
den."
Suddenly a messenger appears ask
ing for assistance from the guard.
With so stalwart guards he hurries to-
ward the gates.
What can it be?"' cried the prin-
cess, in alarm.
But Abba could not imagine. She
could only beg of her mistress to take
courage, and hope for nc evil.
-4 IT,. 1---
ger came to the palace, who made his
way to the room where the princess
was sitting. He trembled with ex-
element.
"How now, Aswad?" demanded U,in.
what is the meaning of all this DIS
t%urbance?"
ALAS, my lady, an enemy is at our
gates. The terrible Scourge of Damas-
Gus demands entrance into the valley
What does he seek?"
81 dare not tell you?"
What seeks he?" cried the princess.
authoritatively. IF there is danger,
| would know what it is"
There may not be danger for you
lady. We may beat the robber off
We will do SO if we can"
But the king told me that a hand.
full of determined men could hold thai
pass against a thousand"
But these are not ordinary men
This Julian is. a very demon. and
verify believe that he hath more thar
human power. Still we will do thu
best that we can"
You have not told me what HI
seeks. Answer me hat question-an
syer it without further hesitation"
He seeks the maiden whom tn
king is to take for a wife,,
Seeks me?" uttered the princess
with a start.
Yes, my lady. Such is his avowal.
I'm mercy's name, good Aswad, pro
tect me. Let not that dreadful robbie
gain access to the valley 3.@ts<4 e..
Hurry, hurry" cried Abba. "Awa.
to your companions, and bid then
strain every nerve. If they suffer tn
scourge of Damascus to gain passag
hither theyHknow what the wrath o
the king must be-" 4s
Powers of heaven!" cried Ulin wit
clasped hands and quivering fran
"the demon must not find u.s.
you are not SO anxious to see hir
as you were" remarked Abba. e"
Thought uo11r yybiro pyoc a CT bro n q