The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1905-10-27
INTRODUCTION.

ItS glory as the zenith city OF the
east, bemoaned the coming of old age
without prospective heir to the throne.
In his younger days he had loved
Helen, his queen, but fearing that she
was dislOyal to him had her cast into
the black. swift flowing Phorpar. At
the time the story opens Ulin, the
daughter Of About Cassem, the kings
prime minister, three times dreams
that she has become the wife of the
king and that q. son being born to
them is heir to the throne. Cassem
tells the story to the king. The latter
having long admired the many charms
OF Ulin, seeks an interview with her
and on the sixth day following they
arc to be married. He %thereupon
abOlishes his harem. Within the week
Abba, the pretty slave maid-in-wa t.
Ing to Ulin, tells the story of the trag- C
tate OF Helen. The story makes a deep
impression and preys upon the mind or
the ~bride-tO-te. But her father urges
her on and she now deems it a sacred
duty to become the queen. On the
morning set for the wedding Uln S
mother dies. According to the laws OF
Damascus she must go into mourning
retirement for thirty days. Horam
agrees with her father that she shall
pass the period of mourning in a Sc
cluded palace in the beautiful Valley OF
Lycanius. This valley is the sole pos
session of the king and can only be
reached by one passage through a
mighty mountain, capable of admitting
but n person at a time. Thither
Ulin goes with Abba, where they are
placed under the protection of the
attendants by the King and Ulin's
father. Six days after their entering
Koran returns Unexpectedly. Ulin
treats him kindly.
CHAPTER I.
Julian the Scouge.
She asked if her father had come.
mo, my sweet lady" returned ho-
ram. "He was busy. 1t may appear
unseemly for me to come hithe. aiole;
but my great love and my deep so lei
tude for your welfare. must be ny ex
cuse. hope you have ound 1t peas
ant here"
The maiden said she could Mt ii "
asked for a more pleasant pace OF
| abode.
The king was charmed by her smil-
Ing speech-so different from what sic
had aver before given him-and he
| fOndly believed that she was delighted
with his presence.
Ulin, fearing thai the least sign Of
coldness or reserve might excite the
jealousy OF the grey-headed-monarch,
and bring down upon her some terrible
evil. exerted all her powers of PEAS
antness, and wore the smile upon her
lace while q pang vas in her BOSOM.
But Horam's visit was destined to
b cut short. While he was, for the
sixth time making excuses for his
visit the door of the apartment was
uneeremoniously opened and a black
sntered-not n Of those who had
been on guard In the valley but a
stranger to Ulin. covered with 1t
and dust, as though he had been riding
hard and fast.
"Ha!" cried the king, starting to his
ceet. How now, Sadak? What is the
meaning of this?"
Pardon, sire. l knew not that you
were thus engaged. They only told
me that you were here and stopped
70 inquire no further"
"Not that-not that Sadak. Why
have you come from Damascus in such
hot haste?"
II came to inform you sire that Jul
lian the Scourge Of Damascus is ap-
proaching city,"
Death and devastation" cried Ho-
ram starting back with alarm. How
know you this?"
I'VE heard from him by way Of a
merchant who was In q caravan that
he had robbed"
what carayan?"
1.-THE caravan from Tadmoor, with
the riches which we're on their way
from Bassora."
Those riches were mine," said Ho-
ram.
AYE. sire; and Julian took them
took Ill that belonged to you. but
spared the poorer merchants. But
that II not the worst. He sends word
that he will lay Damascus in ashes.
About Casssm bade me hasten hither
and give you warning"
The king was fairly beside himself
with fear and rage. The name of Ju-
Han was = terror to him, and at the
sound thereof he trembled exceedingly,
And he seemed to fear more than the
mere physical prowess Of the scourge
There was q mystic quality in his fear
- nameless dread Of the ayenger.
"vVhere Ii the demon now" he ask
"a. after he had gazed awhile in silence
upon the messenger.
HE 10 not far from the city, sire
Somewhere to the eastward, we think
Your Journey back. II you make haste
VIII Be safe"
II viii return" cried the monarch
smitinx his lists together; land will
bring out An army and sweep this ter
ribls Scourge from OF the face Of tn
earth!"
He bade sadak 50 and make ready
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