The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1905-11-16
Scourge
ofDamaScuS
Sa
Copyrighted 1891 by Robert Bonner's
A Story 9
the Cost.
BY
SYLVANUS
COBB. JR.
Copyrighted 1891 by Robert Bonner's Sons.

liam I must speak harsh words against
your affianced husband"
observation-disclosures" repeated
Ulin, with a troubled pause between
her words.
"I mean Horam, King Of Damas-
GUS" said the stranger, regarding the
beautiful maiden as though he read
her every thought.
II am not keeper over the character
of Koran. The truth, spoken in a true
cause, will not offend me-"
Then, lady, let me first assure you
that Julian is not the monster your
fears have painted. He has never done
wrong to any, saw the powerful of
Damascus. Go to the forests. and
mountains of Lebanon, and you shall
find a thousand poor peasants whose
families he has befriended. He has
taken gold and jewels, and precious
stuffs Of silk and linen, from the stores
of Horam; but he hath not made him
self rich therefrom. He and his fol-
lowers have lived, and beyond this the
booty has been bestowed upon the poor
and needy. Julian hath also waylaid
and broken up caravans; and turned
back many expeditions which the king
had sent out. He may be just what
hath been said-he may be the Scourge
OF Damascus, but he has no wish to
trouble honest men. His aim has been,
vengeance upon the king"
"And why should he seek such ven
geance upon the king?" asked Ulin.
Il will tell you, lady. But for the
king of Damascus Julian might be now
one of the most free and happy men
living; but as it is, he is a stranger and
an outcast upon the face of the earth.
He is a w%anderer, without a home. and
with only such friends as are bound
to him in his adventurous and danger
Gus course. Once many years ago-he
had parents and the prospect of life
was bright before him; but in an un-
happy hour the gloom and the dark
ness came. Horam, in wicked, jealous
wrath, swept away all that was bright
and promising from the path of Julian
and shut out the star of hope forever.
0, sweet lady, I dare not pain your ear
with all that Horam did. Were 1 to
tell o all, o would regard the
king as such a monster that your
heart would close against him, and
your very soul would shrink at the
sound of his name. AS true as the
heavens are above us, so true is it that
the heart of Julian is not evil. When
he looks back upon the utter desola-
ton of his young life, and realizes that
the king of Damascus Indignantly
and cruelty brought the curse upon
him can you wonder that his soul is
fraught with ,v~engeance?"
81 never heard this story before"
said Ulin, her voice trembling with
deep emotion. IF it is true, as you
have told me, I cannot blame Julian
so much"
and yet you fear him, lady?"
81 cannot help it. He hath come
hither in battle array, and made war
against me-" ,
may, nay, sweet lady. You do much
mistake his intent. 7 can tell you why
he came hither. He heard from a mes
senger whom he met upon the plains of
Martial, that a fair damsel was shut
up here-a maiden whom the king in
tended to marry. 1t might have pleas
ed him to deprive Koran of a wife;
but it pleased him more to release a
gentle lady from such enslavement. He
IT, ovx,c uyho ~ fhn 1-irr re no-oro,,~ l,.e
ere this, done unto his wives. He
has heard that the dark waters of the
Pharpor are but a short span from the
royal bed. And hence he came to
set free n whom he feared might
meet a worse fate than the encounter
ing of the Scourge of Damascus. Did
he commit a g%rievous sin in this,
lady?"
Indeed, sir, I know not what to
say"
Twill you not see Julian? Do not
shudder. I assure you that he will be
most gentle in his bearing. But L
know he would like to speak with you
he would hear from your W lips
that you do not think him a monster;
and he would also know your pleas
ure."
when will he Gomez"
LET it be tomorrow morning, lady.
1t is near evening now, and your rest
shall not be disturbed. You may sleep
as safely tonight as ever you slept
upon your mothers bosom, and so
shall you be safe while I am near you.
You will see Julian in the morning."
you will come with him."
"If you wish it, lady"
Il do wish it, for l feel that 1 am
acquainted with you; and, further
more, l have said that l would trust
YOU"
1T shall be So"
And thus speaking the visitor arose,
and moved towards the door. He. turn
ed, with his hand upon the latch, and
added: i
II trust that your dreams may be
sweet and pleasant. If dark phantoms
come to your pillow they shall not be
OF Julian. There is another whom you
have more cause to dread-one who, in
hard and hoary age would feast upon
the charms of your loneliness. Par
don me, for I go with a blessing
breathed upon thee"
In a moment more the man was
gone, and the door was closed behind