The Sisseton weekly standard. (Sisseton, Roberts County, S.D.) 1892-1929, 1906-02-16

the wonderful thing he had heard.
Koran started to his feet, and then
sank back, and buried his face in his
hands. His thoughts had suddenly
flown from the story of the present
hour to that other story which he had
had heard on the night before; and
the crash almost took away his senses.
| Omar, when he saw how matters
stood, felt called upon to speak; for
he believed that he had discovered two
things: First, that his old friend and
brother was struggling to open his
breast to his child; and, second, that
Julian might be brought to forgive
ness when he knew the whole truth
MY friends" he said, rising to his
feet as he spoke, "the story is not yet
complete. 1t remains for me to fin
ish it."
Ben Hadad and Ezabel gazed eagerly
up into his face; and Julian leaned
toward him, with beam of hope
struggling upon his brow.
81 am to blame in this matter; or,
at least, l was the innocent cause,
continued the King of Aleppo. address
ing Ben Hadad and Ezabel. at was
who gave to Horam the evidence
upon which he condemned his wife. |
supposed the guilt of the lady Helena
was positive, as had the information
from officers who would not lie; and
l felt it my duty to acquaint the hus-
band with the circumstances. On my
way back to my capital, while stopping
in Balbec, gained information which
assured me that the Queen of Damas-
Gus was innocent; and Immediately l
sent back two of my officers to con-
vey intelligence thereof to Horam.
But those messengers never reached
their destination. They must have
been robbed and murdered on the way.
pursued my course homeward, and
amid the duties of my realm, the thing
passed from my mind. Yesterday l
saw Horam for the first time in three
and-twenty years; and last evening
revealed to him the fact that his first
and best beloved wife, Helena, was
wrongfully accused-that she was pure
and true. When this truth burst upon
him, his grief overcame him, and |
feared that the shock would kill him. "
AYE" cried Horam. starting up
again, cit did almost kill me; for Hell
ena was my first love, and her place
was never refilled. o. my brother
what can do?"
do what is right" replied Omar,
taking Horam's outstfetched hand.
BE man, and let the heart assert its
sway. Remember that you did the first
great deed of wrong; and that all the
other evil has flowed out from that
one unfortunate act"
The king Of Damascus stood for a
moment with his head bowed upon
Omars shoulder, and his hand still in
Omar's grasp. Then he started up
and his countenance had changed.
/ "By the blood of my heart" he ex-
claimed, "the wrong shall not grow
deeper against me! What, no! With
out, there! Slaves!- attend mel"
The executioners CHANGED to be
nearest, and they answered the call
"Bel-Dara, strike those irons from
that mans limbs! Strike off every
/
him as much as the prick of a rose.
thorn. your life shall answer Tor it: >
The executioner stopped to ask nc
questionable did not even stop to
wonder at the order; but he proceed
ed to the work, and in very few
minutes the prisoner was free.
Then the king started down from
l
the freed man stood.
"My son" he said, extending hotl
his hands, "the truth has come 81
naked and so plain, that there is NJ
room for doubt; and l now see tina
you bear upon your face the feature.
of your noble MOTHERHOOD pardon m,
for the wrong l was led to do her
And, my son,-here. in the presence o
these witnesses, l ask you to forge
the past-I ask you to be my son
/ ask you to let me be your father; =
and then, o, then, Horam viii be IL,
more childless!"
Julian had no power to resist thu
appeal; and as the old king totteret
forward the son supported him upol
MS DOSOmy anu sustained MN III TN
embrace Of his stout arms.
And yet Julian was not content. Hi
face wore still cloud; and there wa
trouble in his heart.
What could it mean? Horam feare,
that his son could not quite love him
Omar saw the trouble, and divine,
its cause; and stepping quickly for
ward he whispered into the ear of hi
brother. Koran caught at the words
and the star of hope beamed again H
clapped his hands and cried out:
what, no! Without! Where i
Benoni?"
The captain came.
"Benoni, bring the lady Ulin."
Pale and trembling the princess en-
tered the chamber; but when she say
Julian alive and free, with the shack
les broken at his feet, the blood leape
again through her veins. But she ha
not much opportunity for thought. 70
the king quickly advanced and too
her hand. and led her to Julian.
MY son, this do give thee in toxic
Of my sincerity! Now wilt thou ow