The King's Talisman — page 157: what you’re looking at

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

148 THE KING'S TALISMAN. man’s wisdom, I readily consented; but until the present time, I never knew that the old dervise was aware of the - child’s true origin, and now that I have learned that he 1s, I have also learned that the charge, which for eighteen long years has been to me a source of the most exquisite pleasure, must be resigned to one who holds a prior claim.” As Ali Kinah spoke, he took the hand of the wonder- stricken youth, and while a tear trembled upon his lids, he continued: ‘‘ Noureddin, you are the child of whom I have spoken. God knows that I have endeavored to do my duty truly and faithfully, and in after years, whether your life shall be cast in fortune or misfortune, I shall feel that from me you have received naught but an honest and upright example.” ‘My father—you are still a father unto me—” cried Noureddin, as he clasped the old man in his arms, ‘‘ you have been all that a parent could be, and from my heart, God shall ever receive prayers in your behalf.” “T thank you, Noureddin, and, hoping that you will never forget him whose fortune it was to guide thine infant steps, I now resign you to him who has the right to claim you. He has already proved himself the donor of more than I could ever have bestowed.” As the corn-seller closed, he placed the hand of the youth into that of Abdah Nazor, and then turned away and wept. There was no sorrow in those tears, nor yet was there aught of disappointment, but they rather seemed the outpouring of a generous heart which was willingly and most joyfully offering up the soul’s holiest sacrifice. Noureddin gazed first upon Abdah Nazor, and then upon the man whom, until the present moment, he had believed to be his natural father. “Then you,” he said, turning his gaze upon the dervise, — “are my father?” “Thou art, indeed, my child, Noureddin, though Ali Eomichbooks 1cO