Los Angeles herald., 1906-12-30

in an uproar over it. Fie-on you for behav-
ing in this way! Come old Bebec-back to
your place."
Bebec numbered heavily after Hannah, the
tailor's apprentice, and took his place beside
den docility. They were still further aston
shed when Bebec once more deposited the
lad in tile howdah.
forward cried the pasha, and the pro-
cession started "What is your name?" he
"Hanjah," replied the latter.
What does all this mean?' demanded the
pasha.
Your highness saw how innocent was"
reminded Hanjah.
ct is a miracle" muttered the pasha.
When the house of the princess was reach
ed, she came in sight, very richly attred,
pleased, glad look in the eyes that peered
from the masked face.
The pasha had dismounted, and he offered
her his hand. She seemed little puzzled
when she saw poorly-clad boy in the pavilion
which she knew was intended for her.
"Kneel sir! cried attendant
Bebec merely looked at him with his keen
little eyes.
"Knee sir!' angrily ordered the attendant,
with thrust Of his spear,
Hell kneel for me-, said Hanjah.
The attendant helped Hannah to dsmount.
Down, Bebec!" he quietly said.
The animal promptly obeyed, and the prin-
cess was soon seated upon, him. Then a
fresh complication arose. Bebec wouldn't stir
because he did not want to leave his former
master
r. "Bebec, are you not acting very shabbily?"
Hanjah asked.
Bebec answered mo- by waggng his head,
which made Hanjah laugh
eve are the sport of boy" angrily said
the pasha. Take the beast away and shoot
him"
'Please no, your highness!" pleaded Han
jah, with nervous excitement.
The bpantIfuI ho had hnnp told
the whole affair, also interceded for Bebec.
Did you not intend him as a gift to me?'
she asked, her dark eyes beaming upon the
pasha ''To shoot him would bring us bad
luck. There is something in this that is not
for us to fathom We will leave it with AL
lah 1t is plainly meant that we are to retain
%,Why shouldn't we?" said the pasha, with
low bow. You are right, illustrious prin-
cess He is fne-looking, wise sort of a boy,
and he shall live in the palace. Hanjah, can
eyes, your highness," replied the boy.
A horse was brought and Hanjah mounted
him; handsome turban was placed on his
head, and the broad scarf belonging to the
princess was thrown over his shoulders, which
made him seem more in keeping with the
occasion.
But sir,' stated Hanjah, 81 am apprentice
ed to tailor. My, master may"
'I'll see to that" interrupted the pasha.
,Hanjah drew his horse up beside Bebec,
VINO expressed MS approDatlon In his pecu-
liar way, and caused no trouble on the return
ing journey.
. The people who knew Hanjah stared at him
in amazeTment.
"Mufti, the tailor's apprentice, has climbed
still higher" one of them said to the fat surly
shopkeeper.
"He usea to wash his face every morning
in the dew of Belgrade forest" said another.
A third, deyoutly placed his hands on his
breast and said:
"Mohammed smiled upon him while he
slept"
Hanjah was too cunning to explain the mys-
terry by telling of his previous acquaintance
with the elephant. He became an attache in
the palace, and the pasha's wife grew fond
of him. 1t was through her, after he became
of age, that an important government position
was given him, which he filled for years with
great fidelity,