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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 18, 1896)
10 Tina OMATTA DMT-AT BlSli } ; SUN DAY , OCTO13EK , 18 , 180G. BY II. RIDER HAGGARD. AUTHOR or "sue , " "ALIAS ouurrtMAivKING SOLOMOVS MIHIS , " nc. CHAPTIH xxi. i 1IOKOSA IS 'I.1FTBD UP. What would you ? " nslccil Hokoon of the herald fls lie halted a short spear cast from the vnll. "My master , tlio Prince Hafola , ilealroa to treat with your irmntcr , Nodwongo. Many men have fallen on either Hide , nnd If this war gori on. though victory must lie his at last , many more will fall. Therefore , If any p'an can bo found , ho desires to spare their lives. " Now Hokosa npolfo with the king and an- Bvveroil : "Then let Hafela come beneath the wall , nnd wo will talk with him. " "Not so , " answered the herald. "Docs a Imck walk Into an open pit ? Wcro the prlnco to como here , It might chance that your spears would talk with him. Let Nod wcngo follow mo to the camp yonder , where wo promise him nafo conduct. " "Not so , " answered Hokosa. "Doca a buck walk Into an open pit ? Set out your message and wo will consider It. " "Nay , I am but a common man without authority , hut I nm charged to make you another offer , and If you will not henr It then there Is an end. Lot Ilokosa advance alone to that fiat rock you see yonder , and thcro ho shall bo met , also alone , but one having power to talk with him , namely , by the lady Noma , who was once his wife. Thus they can confer together midway between the camps , nnd In full sight of both of them , nor , no man being near , can ho find cause li > bo afraid of an unarmed girl. What cay you ? " Ilokosa turned and talked with the King. "I think It well that ynu should not go , " said Nodwcngo. "Tho offer ncoms fair and the stone Is out of reach of their spears. Still behind It may lurk a scheme to killer or capture you , for Hafela Is very cunning. " "It may bo so , Klni ; , " answered Hokosa. "Still , my heart tells mo It Is wisest that I should do this thing , for our case Is dcs- porntc , and If I do It not that may bo the cause of the death of all of us tomorrow. At the worst I nm but ono man , nnd It mat ters llttlo what may chance to mo ; nor shall I como to nny harm unless It Is the will of heaven that It should bo so , nnd bo sure of thin , that out of the harm will nrlso Rood , for where f go there the spirit of the Mes senger goes with me. Iteniember , that he. hade you listen to my counsel whllo I re mained with you , seoliiK that I do not speak of my own wisdom. Therefore , let mo go , nnd If It should chance that I nm taken , trouble not about the matter , for thus It will be fated to some great end. Above all , though often enough I have been n traitor In the past , do not dream that I betray you , keeping In mind that so to < lo would be to betray my own soul , which very soon must render Its account on high. " "As you will. Ilokosn , " nnawered the King. "And now tell those rebel doga that on Ihcsu terms only will I make peace with them that they withdraw across the mountains by the path which their women and children have taken , leaving this land forever , without lifting another spear against us. If they will do this , notwlth- ntnndlng all the wickedness and slaughter that they hnvo worked , I will send com mand to my Impl to let them go unharmed. If they will not do this , I put my trust In the God I worship'and ulll light this fray out to the 'cndi knowing that If I and my people perish , they shall perish also. " Now Nodwengo himself spoke to the lacr- nld who was waiting behind the wall. "Go back to htm you serve. " ho said , "and say that Ilokosa will meet her who WJH his wlfo upon the Hat stone and talk with her In tint sight of both armies , bear ing my word with him. At the sound of the blowing of n horn shall each of them advnnco unarmed and alone from either camp. Say to my brother also that It will Indeed be 111 for him If he attempts treach ery upon IIokoBa , for the man who causes his blood to ( low shall surely die , and after death shall bo accursed forever , " The Jieralcl went , and presently a horn was blown. "Now It comes Into my mind that wo part for the last time , " said Nodwengo In a troubled voice , as ho took the hand of Ilokosa. "It may be so. King ; In my heart I think that It In so ; yet I do not altogether grieve thereat , for the burden of my past sins crushes me and I amcary and seek for vest. Yet wo do not part for the last time , because , whatever chaucps , In the end I shall make my report to you yonder" and ho pointed upward , "Kelgn on for long years. King reign well and wisely , clinging to the faith , for thus at the last shall you reap jour reward. Farewell. " Now again the horn blew , nnd In the bright moonlight the slight figure of Noma could be seen advancing toward the.stone. Then llgkusa hprang from the wall nnd advanced also , till at the same moment they 'climbed upon the stone. "Greeting , Hokosa , " told. Nomn , and she stretched out her hand to htm. By way of. answer he placed his own be hind his back , Raying"To your business , 'womaiii" ' Yet his eyes searched her face , thn face that In his folly ho still loved , nnd thus It came about that lie never saw sundry " 'GREETING , HOKOSA ! " of the dead Ijodlcs. which lay In the shadow of thu stone , begin to quicken Into life , r.m ! Inch by Inch to rlhc , first to their knees om ! next to their " feet. Ho never saw or bean them , yet , ns lho wiuJs left bis lips tlio > bpruiiK upon him from every side , holding 111 m so that hu could not move. ' Away with him ! " cried Noma. with a laugh of triumph , r.tul nt her command ho was half dragged nnd half carried across the oppn Hpacu nnd Ihruat > latently over a itonu wall Into lho rnmp of Hnfela. Now. NodwciiRO nnd bla followcia saw uiiut hnd happened , Qiid with a tliout ot "Treachery ! " sumo hundreds et them Icapoi Into thn plain , r.ml begun to run toward the Itonnle to rcscuo their envoy. Ho'iosa lizard the nhout , nnd wrenching hlmiflf nround , beheld them , - "Back ! " ho cried In n clear , shrill voice "Back ! Children of Nohvcngo , nnd K-avo mi1 to my fate , for llu > fee wuiu for you by Mioiinands behind thu wall ! " A Boldler ctnielt him nrrois the mouth , lid ding him bo .silent ; hut his warning hnd came flo lho cant of Nodwi-ngo , causing him nn I hla warriors to halt nnd bc-sln a retreat. U was well that they did no , for , scolng that they wuuld not comu on , from under the tihcltrr of the wall and of every rock and stone aoldleM jumped up by companlci nnd charged , driving them back to their own srhnnsc. But the King's men had the ntart ot them , nnd hnd taken shelter behind II , whence they greeted them with n volley of spcnro , killing ten nnd wounding twlco ns many more. Now it was Hokosa'.s turn to laugh , and laugh he did , saying : "My Inking In well paid for already , Prince. A score of > oiir best warriors Is n heavy lirleo to glvo for the carcass of ono weary nnd nglng maift Hut since I am here nmong you , captured with so much pain nnd loss , tell mo of your courtesy why I have been brought. " Then the prlnco shook his HP oar at him nud cursed htm. "Would jou learn , wizard nnd traitor ? " lie cried. "Wo have caught you because wo enow well that while you stay yonder your magic counsel will prevail against our might ; whereas , when once wo hold you fast , Nod wengo will wnndcr to his ruin like n blind ind moonstruck man , for you were to htm both oyea nnd brain. " "I understand , " said Hokosa , calmly. "But Prince , how If I have left my wisdom be hind me ? " "That may not be , " answered Hafcla , "slnco even n wizard cannot throw his thoughts Into the heart ot another from nfar. " "Ah ! you think so , Prince. Well , nsk Nomn yonder It I cannot throw my thoughts Into her heart from afar ; though ot late I have not chosen to do so , having put aside nuch spells. But let It pass , and tell me , having taken me , what Is It you propose to do with me ? First , however , I will glvo you for nothing some of that wisdom > vlilch you grudge to Nod wengo the king. Bo ndvlsed by mo , prlnco , nnd tnko the terms that ho offers to you namely , to turn this very night and begone from the lund without harm or hindrance. Will you receive my gift , Hafcla ? " "What will happen If I refuse It ? " asked the prince , slowly. Now Hokosa looked at the dust at his feet , then ho gazed upward , searching the heavens und answered : "Did not I tell you yesterday ? I think that this will happen. I think but who can bi > qulto sure of the future , Hafela ? that you nnd the most ot your army by this hour tnnunrow night will bo lying fast asleep about this place , with jackals for your bed fellows. " The Prlnco heard and trembled nt his words , for ho believed that If ho willed It , Hokosa could prophesy the truth. "Accursed dog ! " ho said. "I am minded to bo guided by your saying , but be uure of this , that If I follow It , you shall btay hero to sleep with jackals , yes , this very nlRht. " Then Nomn broke In. "Bo not mad. Hafetn ! " she said. "Will you listen to the lies that this renagndo tells to work upon your fears ? Will you abandon victory when It lies within your grasp , and In place of a great king become a fugltlvoVhom all men mock nt , nn out cast to bo hunted down at leisure by that brother against whom you dared to rebel , but an whom you did not dare to shut ypur hand when ho lay In the hollow of It ? Sllonco the tongue of this captive rogue forever and become a man again , with the heart ot a man. " "Now , " said Ilokosa , gently , "many would find It hard to bcllovo that I reared this woman from childhood , nursing her with my own hands when she was'slck and giving her of the best I had ; that afterward , wnen you atolo her from mo. Prince , I slutted deeply to win her back ; that I married her and sinned yet moro deeply to give her the grcatcncss she desired , nnd that ut last , of my own will , I loosed the bonds by v.hlch I held her. though I could not thruct her memory from my heart. Yet I have earned it all , for I mndo her the tool of my witch craft , nnd therefore It Is Just that she s'jnul J turn and rend me. Well , Ifou like it , taKe her counsel , Prlnco , and let mlno go , for I care nothing which you take ; only forglvo mo If I prophesy once more and for the last time I believe that Nodwcngc yonder spoke the truth when ho hide > our herald tell you that ho who causes my blood to How shall surely die and bo called to jic- count for It. Prince , I am a Chrlstla-i now , nnd believe mo. whatever you raaylo I cccli no rovciiKo upon you for It ; havlnc ; been myself forgiven so much. In my turn I have learned to forgive. Yet It may bo 111 for that man who causes my blood * o flaw. " "Let him be strangled" said n captain who stood near by , "nnd then there will be no blood In the mutter. " "Friend , " nnswercd Ilokosa , "you should h-avo been , not n soldier , but n picador of causes. True It Is that then the Prince will only fauso my llfo to fly , but whether that be n smaller ln I leave you to Judge. ' "Keep him prisoner. " said ano'.hor. " ( Ill we learu how these matters end. " "Nny. " answered.Hafela . , "for 'hen he will surely outwit us and escape. Noma , whi.t shall we do with this man who was your 1 us- bniid ? Tell us , for you should know best how to deal with him. " "Let mp think , " she onswarod , and she looked first nt the ground beneath her , next around her , then upward toward the EVlcs. Now they stood at the foot of the kopplo , on the flat top of which grew the grrat Trco of Doom , that for generations had served the People of Fire as a place of execution of their criminals , or of those who fell imdet the ban of the King or of the witch doctors. Among and above the flngcr- llko fronds ot this strange and dreadful- looking tree towered that whlto dead limb shaped UKc a cross , which Owen had pointed out to his disciple John , taking It to bo a sign and n promise. This crons stood out ilenr against the sinking moon. It caught Noma's eye , nnd n devilish thought entered Into her heart. "You would keep this fellow alive ? " she said , "and yet you would not suffer him to escape. See. there above you Is a i-nw such as he worvhlps. Bind him to It as hn ays HIP man whom hu wonhlpi was. bound , and lot that dojd man help him If he may " The Prlnco nnd thojo about N'oma shrunk back a llttlo In horror. They were enud men rpndo.'od more cruel by ( heir cupcr- atlllnus fear of one whom they believed to ho uncanny , ono to wlmm thry attrlbn'ol Inhuman powers which ho wan oxcrcUIng to their destruction , hut still thU ( loom seemed dreadful to them , Nomn rend th lr minds and \vcut on pat > ilanat ly ; "You deem mo unmerciful , hut you do rot know what I havp suffered nt thin wiz ard' * hamln. For hla take nnJ because of him I am haunted. Tor hla own purpose ho opened the gates nf Distance ho sent mo down among the dwellers in Death , causing me to Interpret their wonls for iilin. I did so , but the dwellers panic back out of Death with me , nnd from that hour they have not left mo , cor will they ever leave me , for night by night they sojourn nt my side , tormenting mo with terrors. He ban told mo that through my mouth that spirit whom he drew Into my body prophesied that ho should bo "lifted nbovo the ppoplp , ' Let the prophecy bo fulfilled , let him bo lifted up , for then , perchance , the ghosts will depart from me and I shall win pence nnd sleep. Also , thun alone can you hold him safe and yet ehcd 110 blood , " "Bo It so , " said the prlnco. "Whun wo plotted together ot the death ot the king , and as your price , Ilokosa , you bargained for the girl whom I hud chosen to wlfo , did I not warn you that this witch of many spells , who holds both our hearts In her llttlo hands , nhould yet hound you to death nnd mock you whllo you perish by nn end of shnnic ? What did I tell you , Hokotm ? " Now , when ho heard hla fete , Hokosa bowed hla head nnd trembled a little. Then ho lifted It nnd exclaimed In a clear voice : "It Is true , prlncn. hut I will add to jour words. Shu shall bring both of tin to death. For me , I nm honored , Indeed , In that there has been nloied to mo that same end which my master chose. To that crosn let my sln bo fastened , and with them my body. " Now the moon san'.t , but In the darkness men were found who dared to climb the tri-o , taking with them stripes of raw hide. They reached lho top of It , four of thcni , and seating themselves upon the arms of the cross , they let down n rope , the noose of which was placid nbout the body ot Ilokosn. As It tightened upon him , ho turned his calm nnd dreadful eyes on the eyes of Nomn , and said to her : "Woman , I do not reproach you , hut I lay this fate upon you , that you shall watch mo die. Thereafter lot God deal with jou ns Ho may choose. " Now when she hoard those words Noma shrieked aloud , for n sudden she felt that the power of the will of Hokosa , from which 'she had been freed by him , had once moro fallen upon her , nnd that come what might she was doomed to obey his last commands. Llttlo by little the soldiers drevv him up , nnd In the darkncsj they bound him fast thcro upon the lofty cross. Then they do- Bconded and left him , nnd would have led Noma with them from the tree. But this they could not do , for nlwnys she broke from thorn screaming and lied back Into Kb shadows. Then , seeing that she was bewitched , Ilafola commanded that they should bind n cluth about her mouth nnd leave her thcro until her senses returned to her In the sun- "YKS , NODWENGO , I AM STILL , ALIVE ! ' light for none of them dared to stop her In thu shadow of that tree , slnco the odors ot It wcro poisonous to man ; also they be lieved the place to bo haunted by evil spirits. CHAPTER XXII , THE VICTORY OF THE CROSS. The sun rose suddenly over the pdgo of the cliffs , nnd while It was yet deep shadow In the valley Its red light struck upon the whlto cross of perished wood that towered above the tree of doom , nnd on the blnck shape of Ilokctt.i crucified to It , living. The camp of the King saw and understood , nnd from every thront of the thousands of men , women and children gathered there went up a roar ot rngo and horror. The King lifted up his hand and silence fell upon the place. Then ho mounted on the wall and cried aloud : "Do you yet live , Hokcsa , or Is It your body only that those traitors have fastened to the tree ? " Back cnnio the answer through thg clear , still air : "I live. O King. " "Endure , then , a llttlo whllo. " called Nod wcngo , "and wo will storm the tree and' save you. " "Nay , " answered Hokosa , "you cannot save mo , yet before I die I shall see you saved. " Then his words were lost In tumult , for the third day's fight begnn. Desperately the regiments of Hafeln , rushing across the open space , hurled themselves upon the fortifications which , during the night had been strengthened by the addition of two Inner walla. Nor was this nil , for suddenly n cry told these In front that the regiment which Hafclu despatched across the moun tains had traveled up the casfern nock of the valley , nnd were attacking the position In the rear. Well was It far Nodwengo now that ho had listened to the counsel of Ilokosa and , wearied ns thq soldiers wero. . had commanded that hero also a great wall should be built. For two hours the fight waged , and then on pither side the fee fell back , not beaten , In deed , though their dead were many , but to rest and take counsel. But now a new trouble arose. From nil of the camp of Nodwcngo there went up a moan of pain to heaven , for since the evening of yesterday the spring had given out and they had found no water wherewith to wet their lips. Dur ing the night they bore It. but now the sun boating down on the black rocks with fear ful force scorched them to the marrow till they began to wither like fallen leaven , and already wounded men and children died , uhlle the warriors cut the throats of oxen and drank their blood. Hokosa , hanging on his cross , heard the moaning nnd divined the cause of It. "Bo of good comfort , children of Nod- wrngo , " ho cried , "for I will pray that rain be sent upon you , " and ho lifted his head and prayed. Now , whether It was by chance , or whether his prayer was heard , who can say ? At least It happened that Immediately there after clouds began to gather and to thicken In the blue heaven , and within two hours rain fell In torrents , so that every ono could drink his fill , and , the spring being replen ished at Its sources , Hawed again strongly. After the rain came a cold and moaning wind , and after the wind a creal gloom and thunder. Now. taking advantage of the shadow , the reglmenta of Hnfoln renewed their at tack , and this tlmo they carried the first of the three walls , for Its defendera grow fcoblo and few In number. There they paused n whllo , and save for the cries of the wounded and ot frightened women , 'tho ullenco was great. "Let your hcorts bo lifted up. " cried the voice of Ilokosa through the silence , for the sunlight shines upon the plain of the Orcat Place yonder , and In it I seu the sheen of spears , The impl travels to your old , 0 children of Nodwengo. " Now at this tidings the people of the King shouted for Joy , but Hafela called to his regiments to make nn end of them , nnd they hurled themselves upon the second wall , fighting desperately. Again and again they were boatcn back , and again and again they came on. till nt length they carried this vail also , driving Its defenders or these who remained allvo gf them , Into the third Intrenchmcnt , and paused to rest a while , "Pray for us. O Prophet who nro sot rn hkh , " cried a voice from the camp , "for If succor do not reach us speedily wo are upcd. " Before the echoes of the voice had died away a flash of lightning llared through the gloom , and In the light ot It Hokosa saw that the KlnK'K Impl was rushing up the gorge. "KlKht nn ! Fight on ! " ho palled In an- * wpr. "I ha\o prayed to heaven , and your HUccar Is at hand. " Then , with a howl of rage Hafela'n rest- inonts hurled themselves upon the third and but entrenchment , attacking It at once In front nnd rear. Twlco they nearly carried It but each time the wild scream ol Hokosa on high wn heard above the din , conjuring It/ di'ftnder ' * to tight on and fear not , for heaven had eeut them hvlu. They fought at men hnvo seldom fought before , And with them fought the women nnd oven the children Ther were few , ivnd the fee wore otlll many , hut they listened to the urging ot him whom they believed to bo Inspired In his death agony upon the crow nbovo them , nnd still they held their own , Twlco portions of the wall were torn down , but they filled the brench with the torpcs ofthe dead , ayl and with the bodies of the living , for the wounded , the old men nnd the very women piled themselves' there In the place of the stones. NoicK fray was told of In the annals ot the IVoplo of Flro ns this , the last stand of Nodwcngo against the thou sands of Ilafcla. Now all the shouting had died away , fqr'mei ' ) had no breath left where with to About only from the gloomy place of battle citino low groans and the deep Bobbing EluhA of warriors gripped In the death hug , "Fight on ! Fight on ! " shrilled the voice of Hokosn nn high. "Lo ! the oklcs nro oper to my dylug sight , and I eo the Impls ol heaven sweeping to succor you. Behold ! " They dashed the sweat Jiom their cyei nnd looked forth , nnd as they looked , the pall of gloom was lifted , and In the golden glow of mnny-ahattcd light they saw , not the legions of heaven Indeed , but the regi ments of NodweiiRo rushing round thu bond of the valley , ns dogs rush upon n scent , with heads hold Ionnnd spenrs outstretched. Hafela saw them also. "Back to the kopplc , " ho cried , "thero to die Ilko men , for the wizardries of Ilokosa hnvo been too strong for us , nud lost Is this my last battle and the crown I came to seek. " They obeyed , and all that wcro left of them , sonio 10,000 men , they ran to the kopplo nnd formed themselves upon U , rinft above ring , and hero tin Boldlcra of Nod wcngo closed In upon them. Again for the last tlmo the volco ot Ho kosa rang out nbovo the fray : "Nodwcngo , " ho cried , "with my passing breath I charge you have mercy and spare thrso men , BO many of them ns will sur render. The diiy of bloodshed has gone by , uiu iiay ia nuisnca , ino cross nas let there be pcnco In the land. " All men heard him , for hla piercing scream echoed from the precipices , came to the cars of ench. All men heard him , and even In that flcrco hour of vengeance , all obeyed. The spear that was poised was not thrown and the kerry lifted over the fallen did not dcbccnd to dash awny .his life. "Hnrkon , Hnfcla , " called the king , step ping forward from the ranks to the attack ers. "Ho whom you have set on high to bring defeat upon you charges mo to glvo you peace , nnd In the name of the con quering cross I glvo It. All who surrouiler shall dwell henceforth In my shadow , nor shall lho head nor the heel of ono of them bo harmed , although their sin Is great. Ono llfo only will I take , the llfo of that witch who brought your armies down upon mo to burn my town nnd slay my people by thousands , and who but last night betrayed Hokosa to his death of torment. All shall go free. I say , save the witch , and for you , you shall ho given cattle and such servants ns will cling to you to the number of a hun dred nnd driven from the land. Now , what say you ? Will you yield or bo slain ? Swift with your answer , for the sun sinks , nnd ere It Is sot thcro must bo nn end In this way or In that. " The regiments of Hnfela hearJ , nnd shouted In answer , as with ono voice : "Wo take ymir mercy. King. We fought bravely whllGTwcould , nnd now wo thke your mercy. IC&g. " "What sayivrtf ) , Hafjla ? " rcDoat.a-Nod- wcnco. addressing t p prlnc3 , ' 7lm utood upon a point ifei-bcK above him , In full slgli't of both armies. < " * ' Hafcla turnciTani ) footed at Hokosa , hangIng - Ing high In mld-aUy "What say I * " ho answered la a Islow nnd quiet volco. "I say that the' Cross , and Its prophet hnvo been too strong for mo. nnd that I should have done well to.follow" the one and listen to the counsel of the other. My brother you tell mo that I may go free taking servants with inc. I thank , you , nnd I will go alone. " And setting the handle of his spear upon the rock , with a s/idden movenunt ho fell forward transfixing his heart with Its broad blade , nnd lay still. "At least , ho jllcd like ono of llicTTtlood royal of the Ser of Fbc , " cried Nodwengo , whllo the nnnles.stood-silent and awestruck , "and with the blood-royal ho shall bo burled. Lay down your arms , you who followed him and foughtfor.htm , fearing nothing , nnd glvo over to mo the witch that she may bo slain. " "Sho hides under the trco yonder , " cried n voice. "Go and take her , " said Nodwengo tc some of his captains. Now Noma , crouched on the ground ho- ncath the tree , had seen and heard all that passed. Perceiving the captains making their way toward her through the lines of soldiers , who opened out a path for them , she rose and for a moment stood bewildered Then , as though drawn by some atrnnge attraction , she turned and , seizing hold ol the creeper that clung about It , she begnn to climb the Tree of Doom swiftly. Up she went whllo all the men watched , higher and higher yet , till , pausing out of the flngcr- llke foliage , she reached the cross of dead wood whereto Hokosa hung , and placing her foot upon ono arm ot It , stood there- , sup porting herself by .tho broken top of the upright. Hokosa was not yet dead , though ho war very near to death. Lifting his glazing eyes ho know her and said , speaking thickly : "What do you here , Noma , and wherefore have you como ? " "I come because you draw me , " she an swered , "because they seek my llfo below. " "Repent , repent , " ho whispered , "thcro is yet time , and heaven Is very merciful. " She heard , and a fury seized her. "Bo silent , dog ! " she cried. "Having do- fled your God so long shall I grovel to Him at the last ? Having hated you so much , shall I seek your forgiveness now ? At least of ono thing I am glad It was , I who brought you here , and wlta mo and through mo you shall die. " Then , placing ono foot upon his bent head , ns If In scorn , she leaned forward , her long hair flying to the wind , nnd cursed Nodwcnga and his people , naming them renegades and apostates , and ci-rsed the soldiers of Hafela , naming them cowards , calling down upon them the malison of their ancestors : Hokosa heard and muttered : "For your soul's sake , woman , repent , re.- pent , ere It be too late. " "Repent ? " she screamed , catching at Ills * vords. "Thus do I repent , " Jand , drawing the knlfo from her girdle , she leaned over him , and drove It hilt-deep Jntn his breast. Then , with a sudden movement , she sprang upward and outword Into the air , and rushing down through a hundred feel of space , was struck dead upon that very rock wbcro the corpse of Hafcla lay. Now , beneath the agony of the knife , Ho kosa lifted his head for the last time , cr > Ing In a great voice : "Messenger , I fomo ; be you my guide , " and with the wor s hjs soul passed. "All Is over and ended , " said a voice. "Soldiers , salute" "tlio king with a royal salute. " " * ' "Nay , " answerW Nodwcngo , "salute me not. Salute tho'droSs ' , and Him who hangs upon It. " * _ ' So , whllo the rays-Of the setting nun shone about It , regiment , by regiment that great army rushed past Tire kopplo , and , pausing opposite to the cfosJ nnd Its burden , they rendered.to It tlio royal salute of kings. Then the nlgliP'ti'll ' , and thus , through the power of FalUi , that now , as of old , Is the only true uritl efllclent magic , was ac complished the inlsaldn of the saint , Thomas Owen , to the SonS'of ' Fire , and of his dis cipline , the Wlzdrfttrokosa. . IT-HE1 END. ) > n -11- , . IVU CAN IHki'WITII ' SQ LITTMJ. , | J ' r Ocorfto' Du. Maurler. A llttlo woik , a llttlo play To keep us going and BO good-day ) A Illtlo wnrmth , a llttlo light Of lovu'tf bestowing and ,80 good-nlghtl A llttlo fun to match the sorrow Of each day's growing and no good-mor row ! A llttlo trust that when wo die We reap our sowing ! And BO good-byo ! America Is fast' forging ahead In every thing. Cook's Imperial Extra Dry Champagne - pagno Is excelled by no foreign article. Lawyer You have an excellent case , sir. Client But a friend of mlno said ho had an exactly similar case , and you wcro the lawyer on the other side , and you boat "him. Lawyer Yes , I remember that ; but I will ice that no aucu eauiu la played this tluiu. , THE ADVANCE OF HEALTH Mialataro Jno-Simile. Uele. Inflilfclf , comfortable , 8 onwoirt.pr INO. WLI p n kf hnril. . . L _ FREE _ . . . TES . . G53 11 many , XotrYrk. B nl for NOTICE OP THE SITTINf ! OP THE CITY COUNCIL AS A BOAUU OF EQUALI SATION- To the owners of the lots , parts of lota nnd real cStata abutting on or adjacent to the streets , alleys or Avenues herein named 'or situated In. whole or Mi part within any of the districts herein speci fied. You and each of you arc hereby notified that the city council of the city of Omaha will sit n.5) a Board of Equalization , In committee room "A , " In the city hall , Omaha , Xcb. , on Friday , the 23d day of October , 1KW , from 9 o'clock a. m. to C o'clock , p. m. , for the purpose of consider ing and equalizing the proposed levy of special taxis and assessments as shown bj : "Proposed Plans of Assessment" now on flic In thn oillce of the city clerk , and correcting any errors therein , and ot hear ing all complaints that the owners of prop erty so to bo assessed and taxed may make , said speclnl taxes and assessments pro posed to bo levied being necessary to cover thn cost of the several Improvements duly authorized to bo made and now completed , ns follows : To cover the one-half cost of grading 17th Btreet , from Vlnton street to Cnstellar street , amounting to the sum of $503.47 , which said sum It Is proposed by report duly ndopled by the city council to assess on both sides of 17lh street , from Vlnton street to Cnstellar street , pro rata per foot frontage , according to the usual ncallng Imck process , In depth from the street , aa follows : On the west sldo to the center of the block : On the cast side. In Morrison's addition , to the Ilrst alley ; In Improvement Associa tion addition , 143 feet ; the foot frontngo on lot 1 , Morrison's addition , to bo 2CO feet. Hate per foot , { 0.231. To cover the ono-hnlf coat of grading the alley north of Dodge street from SSth avenue to 39th street. In block 3 , Crescent park , amounting to the sum of $11G.2S , which said sum It Is proposed by report duly adopted by the city council , to assess on both sides of snld alley , according to the usual scaling back process. In depth from the alley ns follows : On the north sldo to the center ot block ; On the south side thn depth ot ono lot. Itato per foot , $ i.181GS. ) To cover the cost of permanent sidewalks , laid by John Grant , contractor , as per esti mate of August 4th , ISM , Including cost of Inspection , amounting to the Hum of JOfi'.W. which said slim It Is proposed by report of the city council duly adopted to assess as follows : On lot 8 , block -SO , city . $143 S3 On lot G , block 312 , city . 149 82 On lot 1 , Hall Place . 40 CO On lot 2. Hall Place . 40 GG On lot 20. Horbach's 1st add . SS 13 On lot 3. block 2. Paddock Place . 4C 28 On lot 4 , block 3. Paddoclc Place . 47 70 On lot II. block 1. Wood's Place . 4G 50 On lot 15 , block 1 , Wood'n Place . 4651 On lot 1C. block 1 , Wood's Place . 52 01 On west 1S2 feet of tax lot 14 , sec. 10 , T. 13 , II. 13 . 12393 On cast 132 feet of tax lot IS , sec. 10 , T. 15 , It. 13 . 1CI 3D To cover the cost of permanent sidewalks laid by John Grant , contractor , ns per esti mate of September 1st , 1S98 , Including cost of Inspection , amounting to the sum of &G5.34 , which said sum It Is proposed by report of this city council , duly adopted , to assess as follows : On lot C , block 13. city . J159 07 On lot 11 , block 12 , Shlnn's add . < ir 17 On lot 12 , block 12 , Shlnn'D add . 112 10 To cover the cost of constructing tower In Sewer District No. 213. amounting to the Hum of $300.27 , which said sum It Is pro posed by report of the qlty council duly adopted to assess pro rata on the real estate In said district , nnd being the real estate on both sides of Him street from 21st street to 23rd Htrcct. to a depth of 475 feet. Itato per front foot , $0.79l.ri . To cover the cost of turning off water nt corporation cock on the northwest corner o.f 2Sth and Mason streets , amounting to the sum of $78.20 , as shown by bills of Graham Park and the American Water Works com pany. duly approved by the Hoard of Public Works , which said sum It Is proposed by report of the city council duly adapted to assess on lot 30. Heed's Second Addition. To cover the co.st of abating nuisance on Lot 9 , Block C , Prospect Place , under thu direction of thu Hoaru of Health , the same consisting of removing night soil from said promises by A. McDonald , contractor , amounting to the sum of $0.10 , which said sum It Is pioposcd by report of the city council duly ndoptcd to assess on said Lot 9 , block C , Prospect Plnce. To cover the cost of nbnMiiR nuisance under direction of the Board of Health , consisting of cleaning vault nt No. 1S1U Nicholas utrrot , by A. McDonald , con tractor , amounting to thu xuin of 5" . CO. which said sum It is proposed by report of thu city council duly adopted to assess on the west 22 feet of the east 44 feet of lot n lilnr-lr 1SU. pltv. To cover co t of abating nuisance under direction" of the Board of Health ; consisting of cleaning vault nt No. 1G21 South 2Sth street , by A. McDonald , contractor , amountIng - Ing to the sum of $3.00 , which said sum It Is proposed hy report of thn city council duly adopted to asfiess on lot 2G , Burr Oak. The "usual scaling buck process" to which rcfcrcnco Is mndo In this notice Is as follows : Ono-thlrd of such pro rat.i cost upon the one-sixth part of'tho whole amount of ground to bo as.Hes.sed , fl'St abutting upon the street line along1 said Improvements. Ono-llfth part of such pro rnta cost upon the second one-sixth part of the whole amount of ground adjoining thereto. One-sixth part of such pro rata ccst upon thn third one-sixth part ot the \\holo amount of said ground next adjacent ; and thrpo-tcnths of said pro rata cost upon the adjacent or remaining one-half of thu whole of Mid ground. You nro further notified that Bald "Pro posed Plnns of Assessment" arc now Hub- Jcct to the Inspection and examination of any of the owners of snld lots , parts of lots or pieces of real est.ito , or tliu Inspec tion or Hxamlnntlon of any other person Interested In said proposed nespssmentH , nt the olllcn of H'ltd City Clerk , nnd Hint by a report of n committee of Raid city couiu-II duly adopted It U proposed thpt unless for Food ana HUlllclent cause It Is otlicrwlxn onlnrod nnd dutcrniliied , that the cost or Bald Improvements rcupectlvply I HI unni'Hsed on the tcveral lots , pnrtH of loin and pleci-ij of real onlntu im shown by uald proposed plans of aimcHHimmt , . . You nnd pnch of you nro hereby notified to appear before * mld Hoard of I&iimllstntlon. nt th ' tlmo nnd place above specllluil to make uny complaint , statement or objec tion you ( IcHlro concernliik' nny of uald proposed levies and annetwiiontH of Hpcclul "Xt M' M'BEICCIIEIl IIIOBY. City Clerk. Omnhu , Nebraska , October 15th. WO. OotlO-d-Tt-ra PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS The following proposed amendments to tho1 Constitution of the State of , Nebraska , as hereinafter net forth In full , "nro submitted to the electors of the State of Nebraska , to bo voted upon at the general clrction to beheld hold Tuesday , November 3 , A. D. 1S96 : A joint resolution proposing to amend sections two (2) ( ) . four (4) ( ) , nnd flvo ( fi ) , of article six ( G ) 'of the tionstltullon of the Stnto of Nebraska , relating to number of judges of the supreme court nnd their term of olllco. Ho It resolved nnd rnneted by the Legls- Inturo of the Stnto of Nebraska : Keetlon 1. Thnt set-lion two (2) ) of nrtlc.lo six (0) ( ) of the Constitution of ttio Stnto of Nebraska bo amended no na to rend as fal low M Section 2. The supreme court Bhnll until otherwise provided by law , consist of live (5) ( ) Judges , n majority of whom Bhnll bo necessary to form n quorum or to pro nounce n decision. It shall hnvo original jurisdiction In onsen relating to revenue , civil cases In which the state shnll be n pnrty , mandamus , quo wnrranto. habeas corpus , and mich appellate jurisdiction , as mny bo provided by law. Section 2. Thsit section four (4) ( ) of article BIX ( C ) of the Constitution of the state of iseiirnskn , bo amended so as to read as fol lows : Section 4. The Judges of the supreme court shall bo elected by the clcclorn of the state nt Inrge. and their term of oillce. except as hereinafter provided , shall bo for a period of not less than live 15) ) years as the legislature may prescribe. Section 3 , That Beetlon llvo ( M of nrtlclo six (6) ( ) of the Constitution of the State of Nebraska , be amended to read as follows : Section B. At the tlrst gonerM election to bo held In the year 1896. there shall bn elected two Judges of the supreme court ono of whom shall be elected for a term ol two (2) ( ) years , one for the term of four ( < ] years , nnd at each general election there after , there shall bo elected ono ludgo nl the supreme court for the term of Hvo (5' ( yours , unless otherwise provided by law Provided , That the Judges of the supreme court whoso terms hnvu not expired iit the time of balding the general election of J83C shall continue to hold their oillce for tin remainder of the term for which they wcro respectively commissioned. Approved March 29 , A. IX 1S03. A Joint resolution proposing nn amend ment to section thirteen (13) ( ) of nrtlclo six of the Constitution of the Stnto of Nebraska relating to compensation of supreme nm district court Judges. Bo It resolved by the Legislature of the State of Nebraska : Section 1. That section thirteen 03) ) of nrtlclo six (6) ( ) of the Constitution of the State of Nebraska bo amended BO OH to rend as fallows : Sec. 13. The judges of the supreme nnd district courts shall receive for their s r- vlcos such compensation ns mny bo pro vlded by law. payable quarterly. The legislature shall t Its ilrst session after the adoption o , * this amendment three-fifths of the murabcrs elected to each house concurring , establish their compensation. The compojisntlon BO es- t.ibllslied ahall not bo clmng.-q opener than once In four years , nnd In n. event unless two-thirds of the members cK'ctcd t < f each house of the loglslnturn concuv therein. Approved March 20. A. D. ISW. A Joint resolution proposing to amend section twenty-four (24) ( ) of nrttc ? j flvo (5) ( ) of the Constitution of the Stnto of Nuraska , relating to compensation of the officers of the executive department. Ho It resolved nnd enacted by the Lecls Inture of the Slnto of Nebraska : Section 1 That section twenty-four (24) ( ) of nrtlclo live (5) ) of the Constitution of the State of Nebraska bo amended to read ns follows : Section 21. The ofllccrs of the executive department of the slnto government Bhnll receive for their services a compensation to bt established by ln\v , which shall bo neither Increased nor diminished * during the term for which they shalfc hnvo been commissioned and they shall not rccelvo to their own use nny fees , costs , Interests , upon public motleys In their hands or under their control , perquisites of olllco or other compensation , nnd all fees that may hereafter bo payable by law for services performed by an otllcur provided for In this vp | shall bo paid In advance Into the state treasury. The legislature shall at Its first session after the adoption ot this amendment , three-nfths of thn mem bers elected to each house of thn legisla ture concurring , establish the salaries of the odlcers named In this article. The compensation so established shall not be changed oftener than once In four yenr.i and In no event unless two-thirds of the members elected to each house of the leg islature concur therein. Approved March 23. A. D. 1693. A joint resolution proposing to amend section ono (1) ( ) of nrtlclo six ( G ) ot the Con stitution of the Stnto of Nebraska , relating to judicial power. Bo It resolved and enacted by the Legis lature of the Stntn of Nebraska : Section 1. That section ono (1) ( ) of article six ( C ) of the Constitution of the Statu of Ncbrnska be amended to read as follows : Section 1. The judicial power of this state shall bo vested In a supreme court , dis trict courts , county courts , justices of the pence , pollco magistrates , and In such other courts Inferior to the supreme court ns may bo created by law In which two- thirds of the members elected to each house concur. Approved March 20 , A. D. 1S05. A Joint resolution proposing to amend sec tion eleven (11) ( ) ot article six ( G ) of the Constitution of the State of Nebraska , re lating to Increase In number of supreme and district court judges. Be It resolved nnd cnnctcd by the Leg- Islnturo of the Stnto of Nebraska : Section 1. That section eleven ( II ) of nrtl clo six ( C ) of the Constitution of the Stnto of Nebraska bo amended to read nu fol lows : Section 11. The legislature , whenever two- thirds of the members elected to ench house shall concur therein , may , in or after the year ono thousand eight bundled nnd ninety-seven and not oftener than once In every four years , Increase the number of ludges of Biipremo nnd district courts , and the judicial districts of the state. Such districts shall bo formed of compact terri tory , and bounded by county lines ; and miuh Increase , or any change In the boundaries of a district , shall not vacate the olllco of any Judge. . Approved March 30 , A. D. , 1S03. A joint resolution proposing to amend section six ( G ) of article ono (1) ( ) of the Con stitution of the State of Nebraska , relating to trial by jury. Ho It resolved nnd enacted by the Leg islature of the Stale of Nebraska : Section 1. That section six ( C ) , article ono (1) ( of the Constitution of the .Stato of Ne- Draska bo amended to lend na follows : Beetlon G. The right of trial by jury shall remain Inviolate , but the legislature may irovldtt that In civil actions llvo-ulxths of the jury may render a verdict , and the cglslaturo by also authorize trial by u lury of a less number than twelve men , u courts Infe-lor to the district court. Approved March S9. ! A , D. , 1U3. A Joint resolution proposing to amend section ono (1) ( ) of nrtlclo llvo ( B ) of the Cou- ntltutlon of Nebraska , rclatlns to offlcors of the executive department. Bo It resolved und enacted by the Lee- Islaturo of the Siato of Nebraska : . Section 1. Thnt section onu ( I ) of nrtlclo five (5) of the Constitution of the Stuto of NobruBka.bo amended to read aa for- Suction 1. The executive department shall ooiiKlHt of a BOVeKnor , lieutenant governor , secretary of state , auditor of public no- countu treasurer. superintendent of public Instruction , attorney K n r l. commissioner of nl lillo lands and hulkllngfl. and three rail i oiid commissioners , eiicb of whom , ex cept thn ald railroad commissioners , Bhnll hold hlH olllco for u term of two yrarfl , rroiii the llrnt Thursday iiftur the llrat Tuosduy In Janufiry. hi tor his election , and until his successor Is elected nnd quail- lied. Knch railroad commissioner Bhnll Hold his ollleo for a term of three years. ucfflnnliiB on trm llrnt Thursday nfti-r the Ural Tuesday In January after his election , and until hid usccessor in nleclod nnd quail- ilod ; 1'rovldcd , howovnr , That nt the llrat ; ciicrul flection held after the adoption of this amendment there ahull bo elected three ralliond commissioner ) ) , ono for thn imrlod of onu year , one for the period of two yean ) , and one for Iho period of three yearn. Thu fcaveriior , bcorotnry of stato. auditor of public nccountn. and treasurer Hhnll rcaldn at the en pilot duiliiK their term of olllco ; they Hhnll keep the publlq rcuordu , boolm und papers there , nnd Hhnll perform such duties an muy be required by law. Approved March V ) , A , D , , 1805. A joint riiolutlon uropoilnj to amend iec tlon twenty-six (2 ( ) of nrtlclo flro (5) ( ) of tht Constitution ot the State of Nebraska , limit. Ing the number of executive alatc officers. iJ'9. ' " r < yolveil nnd enncted by the Lcff ' "L"1 r. " ° J UV ? mo of Nebrnskn ! . , . - - . - - - i'V.9 . ' " 9f ' ) Constitution of the Htnto of Nobrnskn bo amended to ( rend n § follow * ; Section 2fl. No other oxpcutlvp state offi cers oxccpt those nnmcd In si-Pllon one ( t ) of thin nrtlclo shnll bo created. OTeo.pt by nn net of the Icglslnturo which Is con curred In by not less than threa-fourths of thn members elected to each housa thereof ; Provldpd. Thnt nny office crcatpd by an net of thn legislature may bo abolished by the legislature , two-third * of the member * clectrd to each houao thereof concurring. Approved Mnreh 30 , A. D. . ISM. A Joint resolution proposing to nmond section nine (9) ( ) of nrtlclo eight ( S ) ot the Constitution of the Stnto of Nohrnskn. pro- vldliiR for the Investment of the permanent educational funds of the stnte. Bo it resolved ami enacted by the Lsg- tslatur , , of iho .Stnto ot Ncbrnskn : . , Sfrl10" ' 'I'bat section nine (9) ( ) of nrtlclo riMit is , ) of the Constitution of the State lows- lm l)0 "mended to rend as fol- Hcctlon n. AH funds bploiiRlng to the fltnto tdc. ior educational , . . . < U M f iiurtutHCH , lilt ! Intnn . ' f ntui income wnereot only nro to bo used shall and U ° ' " f ° > Pl"1 ' 7 " ' " tnto. of that muy In any manner " r ° accrue , no that the same shall remain forever iuvlolnto nnd iindlmlnlslK'd , nnd shall not b. In vested or loaned - . i-.xrept on Tnllc-d Smtci or mute securities , or registered cm u ty b m.Vtor registered school district bouda of thli state , and such funds , with the Interest and Income thereof are hereby solemnly pledged for the purposes for whl < ; h they are granted and set apart , and jhall not ho transferred to any other fund for other uses ; . l'rldod. . The board created by section I of this nrtlclo li empowered to sell from time to tlmo nny of the oe > iirlllrt belong ing to the permanent school fund nnd In vest the proceeds hrlslng therefrom In any of the securities enumerated In this sec- tlon bearing n hlghur rate of Intelcst , whenever mi opportunity for better Invest ment la presented ; , VA'U1 I'r ° vlded furthnr. Thnt hen nny warrant upon the ntnto trcnsuror rogu- lurly Issued In puraimiu-n of an appropria tion by the legislature and secured by thn IfrYLni , ufor. llH payment. Bhnll ba T f 'V ' ? , lho stnt. ° treasurer for pay- ViVnUIul tlltr-c Blml1 , not " ' " " > money In the - proper fund to pay such wnirnnt the board created by section to" this nrtl * clo mny direct the aUto trensurer to pay lho amount duo on such warrant from moneys In hH hrtiuls belonging to the IS , inanent Hohool fund of the stale , andTh Bhnll hold said warrant ns nn Investment of said permanent school fund. Approved March 29 , A. U. . 1893. A Joint resolution proposing an nmcnd- mont to the Constitution of the Stnto of Nebraska by adding a new section to artlcla twelve (12) ( ) of said constitution , to bo num bered section two (2) ( ) , relative to the merg ing of the government of cities of the metropolitan class and the Government of the counties wherein such cities arc lo cated. Tie It resolved nnd cnnctod bv the LCB- Islnturo of the Stnto of Nebraska : Section 1. That artlcln twelve (12) ( ) of th Constitution of the State of Nebraska bo amended by adding to said nrtlclo n now section to bo numbered section two (2) ( ) , to rend ns follows : Section 2. The government of any city ot the metropolitan clns nnd the government of the county In which It Is located mny b merged wholly or In part when n proposi tion so to do has been submitted by nu- thorlty of Inw to thn voters of aiiuh city and county nnd received the assent of u majority of the votes cast In such city and also n majority of the votes cast In the county exclusive of these cnst In such mi'tropolltnn city at such election. Approved March 23 , A. IX. 1S93. A Joint resolution proposing nn amendment to section six ( G ) of nrtlclo sovcn (7) ( ) of the Constitution of the State of Nebraska , pro scribing the manner In which votes shall bo cast. Bo It resolved nnd enacted by the Leg- Islnturo of the Stnto of Nebraska : Section 1. That section six (0) ( of nrtlcla nnven (7) ( ) of thp Constitution of the Slat * of Nebraska bo amended to read as fol * lows : Section G. All vofes shall bo by ballot , or nuch other method as may bo prescribed by law , provided the secrecy of voting bi preserved. Approved March 29 , A. D. , 1S93. A joint resolution proposing to nnicnj section two (2) ( ) of article fourteen (14) ( ) ot tht Constitution of the State ot Nebraska , rela tive to donations to works of Internal Im provement and manufactories. Bo It resolved and enacted by the Legls * lature of thn Stale of Nebraska : Section 1. That section two (2) ( ) of artlcla fourteen (14) ( of thn ComUllulion of the Stnto of Nebraska , bo amended to read as follows : Sccllon 2. No city , county , town , precinct , municipality , or other subdivision ot the Btnlc. Bhnll ever mnke donations to any \\crks of Internal Improvement , or manu factory , unless a proposition io ; to do shall hnvo been first suhmltlcd to the qimlllled electors and ratified by a two-lhlrds vote at an election by authoilty of law ; Pro vided , That such donations of a county with the donations of such subdivisions In the aggregate shall not exceed ton per cent of the assessed valuation of such county ; Provided , further. That nny city or county mny , by a three-fourths voto. Incronso such Indebtedness llvo per cent , In addition to such ten iier cent nnd no bonds or evi dences of Indubtcdncsu no Issued nhnll ba vnlld unless the same nhnll have endorsed thereon a cprllllcato signed by the secre tary nnd auditor of Htnto , snowing that the name Is Issued rmrmmnt to law. Approved March 19 , A. D. , 1853. I , J. A. Piper , secretary of state of th state of Nebraska , do hereby certify that the foregoing proposed amendments to the Constitution ot the State of Nebraska are true and correct coplea of the original en rolled and engrossed bills , as passed by the Twenty-fourth session of the legislature of the State of Nebraska , as appears from said original bllla on lllo In this office , and that all and each of said proposed amend ments are submitted to the qualified voters of the state of Nebraska for their adoption oc rejection at the general election to be held on Tuesday , the 3d day of November , A. D. , 1890. In testimony whereof , I have thereunto sot my hand and affixed the great seal ot the state of Nebraska. Dona at Lincoln , this 17th day of July , In the year of our Lord , Ono Thousand Bight Hundred and Ninety-six , of the Independ ence of the United States the Ono Hundred and Twenty-first , and of this state tb Thirtieth. Seal. ) J. A. PJPKR , Secretary of Statt. .us 1 ItoNov3 morn only. WOMEN Who read t The Omaha Sunday Bee j \ Have the benefit of a \ Woman's department Eeplete with Fashion News , Gossip about famous women , Reports of woman's activity , Notes about woman's influence And all the features of a clean , bright , whole some newspaper.