The King's Talisman — page 155: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

“146 THE KINGS TALISMAN. CHAPTER XVIII. AN ASTOUNDING DEVELOPMENT. Noureddin at length heard the footsteps of the returning men, and anxiously he watched for the first expression he might catch upon the countenance of his father. ‘That ex- pression, when he saw it, was strange and curious. All shades of surprise had gone—there was no more of nervous anxiety, no more of uncomprehending wonder; but Ali Kinah’s features were calm and tranquil, and a soft glow of pleasing melancholy wavea in gentle shadows over his face. A moment after he re-entered the apartment the corn-seller looked in a sort of abstracted silence upon the youth—then stepping forward, he took his hand within his own, and im- printing a kiss upon the head of the child, he said: «« My child, I have now a duty to perform which I had humbly hoped might never come to pass, but in the providence of God are all Be and in gratitude I bow to His will.” “You speak right, father, returned Noureddin, look- ing up with wonder into the face of Ali Kinah. ‘ Let us ever so live that we can cherish naught but gratitude in our souls.” ‘“So I have ever eudeavored, Noureddin, and so I have ever endeavored to teach thee. But listen, my child, while I explain to thee what must have already cost thee much anxiety.” I'he youth listened, and Ali Kinah continued: “« Many years ago, ere my wife was taken from me, as I sat in my door-way one evening, after the business of the 33 ecomicbooks co