The King's Talisman — page 79: what you’re looking at

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

70 : THE KINGS TALISMAN. shall prevent it,” returned Noureddin, as he came nearer to the pavilion and dismounted. «< And my father—you said he, too, should be safe?” «© So I said, lady, and so it shall be,” answered the youth, as he gazed in admiration upon the beautiful features be- fore him. ‘‘ You are released from a state worse than death, and your father shall receive you back again to his arms with joy and with safety.” As Noureddin spoke, he took the small white hand of the maiden within his own, and almost unconsciously he pressed its fair surface to his ips. It was not withdrawn, but when the youth would have trembled at his own temerity, he met the beaming, thankful expression of Selina’s soft eyes, and he knew that she felt not offended. In a few moments more Noureddin had arranged the pa- vilion for the return, and as he turned from its side, he ex- perienced a sensation that had never before thrilled through hisveins. ‘‘hat small, soft hand still burned upon his lips, and the peculiar glance of those two beaming eyes still pierced his soul—a glance in which there was much of thankfulness, and much of some other emotion, which he dared not define to himself—at least so thought Noureddin. Once more the train was turned toward Petra. Noured- din rode at its head, in athoughtful, meditative mood, and for the time being he seemed almost to forget that he was not alone. A new path had opened before him. Its way was spread with green buds from which no rose had yet bloomed. (Eo) GComichbooks