Page:Peterson's Magazine 1842, Volume I.pdf/317

72 father would never forgive me—but, hut, indeed this marriage will kill me.”

“I am nute” interposed the maiden, “I would never submit to it, when this young prince loves you so de- volediy, and you tove bite in returs. Have you seen hiun of Jate?”

“1 caught a glimpse of him as he rode under my lat- tice four moons ago, when he was on a visit here—you know I could see him in no other way. How nobly— like the descendant of a hundred kings as he is—he bestrode his courser, Ah! would I could sce him in this dilemraa.”

“And what would you say if you could hear from him? Soe,” continued the maiden, looking cautiously around, to satisfy herself thut no one was within sight or hearing. “I have a mission for you, written in his own hand, It has cost me a world of troublo to convey to you, and this is the second day I have waited for the opportunity.”

‘The princess blushed to the bosom as whe took the richly adorned missive and read the following:

“Do you love me yet? Then can you become a sacrifice? I am poor, but I am the descendant of kin} [fyou will give up pomp, wealth, and power for my moun- tain home, I will find nicans to rescue you from your fate, Af you are silent I shalt know you still love me anul are willing to be mine.”

The color went and came in the princess’ check, and her bosom heaved with tumultuous emotions, as she read this tetter. Conceuling it in her bosom, she leaned her head on her hand and gave herself up to thought- In that crisis how her heart alternated between affection for her father and love for Hyder! But love triumphed and when she raised her head it was to tell her com- panion that there wus no reply to send,

«Allah be praised!” said the maiden, “now I shall see you happy.”

Mcontime the prepurations for the ouptials of the princess went on, and were eventually brought to a cloce. Day after day, relying on her lover's promise to save ber, Zelona looked for his interposition, though she know not in what way it would appear; butell in vain. Hope at length gave out, and she spent her hours in tears.

Tt was a bright summer morning when the bridal cavalcade set forth for the capital of the intended hus band of the princess, but though every thing around her was gay—thongh birds seng merrily from every branch, and joyous strains of music floated on the balmy aie~ her heart was filled with sadness and despair. At most two days journey would bring her to the capital of her lord, From Hyder she had received no intelligence, ant who knew but what he might be dead, or have deserted her. Biter were the tears she wept as she Inuried herself in her siiken couch, for death seemed pre-

LADY'S

ferable to a union with her destined husband. When the cavalcade stopped for the night, she wept herself to sleep, But suddenly she was aroused from slumber by a wild confusion in the camp, and sitting up in her couch and listening, she heard shouts, and shots, the charge of spahis, and the clash of sword-blades. These noises, at first distant, ropidly neared the rich pavilion in which she iay, and as they approached, what was her joy to recoguise, over all the tumult, the war-ery of Hyder. Hiastily ordering her affrighted slaves to robo her, she awaited, with a beating beart, the termination of the contest. Nor did she wait long. Directly a wild huzza rose up at the very door of her pavilion, and im- mediately she heard her {over’s voice without, Rushing to the outer apartment of the tent she fell into Hyder’s arms as he entered it, flushed with victory.

“Oh!” she said, “why did you delay eo long? I almost feared I should never see you again.”

«T came as soon as I thought I could ensure success, dearest,” he replied, kissing her beautiful brow, “have lain in wait for the Inst fortnight, watching for this day. But there is no tine to lose. On the first alarm a thou- sand spahis will spring into the saildle to pursue us, I have brought two fleet Arabians, who will cary us to our native mountains ere « socond sun sball rise. Mount, sweet one, and away with me.”

She mounted at the word, and ere two days the fugi- tives reached the wild and impassable mountain recesses in which the young prince had his home. Pursuit was found to be useless, Long and happily they lived together. At first the Rajah contemplated sending an army to recover his daughter, but just when all was prepared he fell sick, and hetter thoughts rose in his bosom. When ho recovered he sent for his children and adopted Hyder as the heir to his throne. And men, in that bright lend, stil! talk of the blissful reign of Zolona and her lord.

REMEMBRANCE.

I snaut look back, when on the mainy— Back ta my nativo isle, And almoet think I hear again "Thy voice, and view thy smile. But many days may pase away Ere I again shall sce Amid the young, the fair, the gay,— ‘Que whn resembles thee. ‘Yet when the pensive thought shall dwell On some ideal maid, Whom tancy’s pencil pictured well, Aud touched with softest shade: "The imaged form J shull survey, Aud, pausing at the view, Recall thy gentle smile, and say,

“Oh, such a maid I knew!” BOWLES. �