TWILIGHT LAND

Nor had he any fear of an end coming to it, for he knew

‘that his treasure was inexhaustible. He made friends
with the princes and nobles of the land. From far and
wide people came to visit him, and the renown of his
magnificence filled all the world. When men would
praise any one they would say, “ He is as rich,” or as
“magnificent,” or as ‘generous, as Aben Hassen the
Fool.”

So for seven months he lived a life of joy and delight ;
then one morning he awakened and found everything
changed to grief and mourning. Where the day before
had been laughter, to-day was crying. Where the day
before had been mirth, to-day was lamentation. All the
city was shrouded in gloom, and everywhere was weeping
and crying.

Seven black slaves stood on guard near Aben Hassen
the Fool as he lay upon his couch. ‘What means all
this sorrow ?” said he to one of the slaves.

Instantly all the slaves began howling and beating
their heads, and he to whom the young man had spoken
fell down with his face in the dust, and lay there twisting
and writhing like a worm.

‘He has asked the question!” howled the slaves—
“he has asked the question !”

“Are you mad?” cried the young man. ‘What is
the matter with you?”

At the doorway of the room stood a beautiful female
slave, bearing in her hands a jewelled basin of gold, filled
with rose-water, and a fine linen napkin for the young
man to wash and dry his hands upon. ‘Tell me,” said
the young man, “what means all this sorrow and lamen-
tation 2”

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