SHAFTS FROI AN

was the eourtvard of a prince s palace, [ was the beloved of Prince Kasmir. In his pre- cence the hours would fly as il they were minutes, while without him time paseed drearily indeed. There was a law in Persia that prince and peasant must not wed, but my lover heeded it not; he knew that one day he would rule over

“LOOKING INTO THE GLOWING EMBERS'

this country, and such a law he vowad should not be suffered to exist.

“Every night, when those within the palace were asleep, he would steal out and wander side by side with me through the valleys down to the lotus-kissed waters of the Lar, which flows not far from here. Beneath the shade of a friendly tree was hidden a boat, and, entering 1t, we voyvaged together, his oars keeping time to the melo- dies which we sang togcther of love and 1ts cternity.

“Before the grey dawn came stealing with ghostly raiment up the vale, we would return ; he to the palace and I to the humble tent wherefrom I nightly stole. Happy indeed were we, until in an evil hour the queen of a country on the far borders of Arabia came to visit the Persian land. Standing among the crowd of peasantsand nomads that thronged the palace gate, | saw the long retinue pass in, and lastly a regal woman was borne upon a sumptuous litter,

EASTERN QUIIER.

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and by her side walked my adored, Prince Nasmir.

“IHe had told me of the expected coming of this Iastern queen, but had laughed

when T murmured that perhaps his love

would fly from me to her. He promiscd to come from his palace the next night as usual, but hour after hour passed and yet he did not appear. Never again did he meet me as of old, for a new love had filled his breast, and then there came to me strange rumours that Kasmir was to wed the queen, in order that the two countries might in this way be united, and ruled as it they were but one. “At first T could not belicve it, then 1 began to wander at nightfall alone; and once, when I ventured imto this valley of jasper, I saw two lovers come forth from yonder arch- way. They talked and laughed to- gether, and the maiden leant her head upon the shoulder of the man at her side. I creptclose to them, hidden by the shadow of vonder wall.

• T'’he maiden had come from Eastern

lands, and, by the rich pearls of mystic hue which she wore, I knew that this

must be the queen whom [ had seen once before. At first the man's face was partly hidden from me, but he raised 1t, and, gazing into his companion’s eyes, their lips met in a lover's kiss; but I, wretched beyond measure, fell prostrate inthefriendly shadow, for in that moment I recognised Prince Kasmir, and I knew that the rumour was true, and that my lover was lost to me for ever !

1 lay there, stull and silent, until the two passed through the archway once more ; then T went slowly back to the tent, dejected and alone.

“In the tribe of the Hilyats there dwelt once who was famous for charms of great poetency, and to him I went and told, with many a sigh, that my lover was false. He was kind to me, and promised aid. When [ went to him again he said that the stars had agreed to help me to regain the Prince's affection.

“ By his commands T made a fire of