The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-10-16
Continued from last Sundays News.
CHAPTER VII.
THE BANNER OF sALADIN.


the wooden shutters of the window
behind them. and down into the room
leaped long, 1.-THE figure, holding an
axe aloft. Before Sir Andrew could
turn to see whence came the sound,
that axe dealt him a fearful blow be-
tween the shoulders which, although
the ringed mail remained unshorn,
shattered his spine beneath. Down he
fell. rolled on his back, and lay there,
still able to speak, and without pain,
but HELPLESS as a child, for he was
paralyzed, aud never more would move
hand or foot or head.
In the silence that followed he spoke
In 2 heavy voice. letting his eyes rest
upon the man who had struck him
down.
"A knighty blow truly; one worthy of
n Christian born who does murder for
Paynim pay! Traitor to God and man,
who have eaten my bread and now
slaughter me like an OK on my hearth
stone may your end be even worse
ana at the hands of those you serve'
The palmer Nicholas. for it was he,
although he no longer wore the palm
er's robe, skunk away muttering. and
was lost among the crowd in the pas
sage Then, with a sudden and bit
ter cry, Rosamund swooped forward,
as A bird sWoops, snatched up the
brand her sir would never lift again,
and sitting its hilt upon the floor,
cast herself forward. But the point
never touched her breast, for swiftly
sprang the Emin and struck the steel
aside; then, as she fell, caught her
i'm his arms.
Lady" he said. loosing her very
gently. "Allah does not need you yet.
Now will you pass me your word-for
being of the blood of Salah-ed-din and
Darcy, you, too, cannot lie-that
neither now nor afterwards will you
attempt to harm yourself? If not,
] must bind you, which l am most 10th
TO dot is sacrilege to which l pray
you will not force me-
Promise, Rosamund." said the ho-
low voice of her father, land go to
fulfil your fate, for self-murder is a
crime, and the man is right; it is de-
creed. | bid you promise"
81 PROMISE said Rosamund. ut is
your hour. my lord Hassan."
He bowed deeply and answered.
Il am satisfied, and henceforth we
are your servants to obey. Princess,
the night air is bitter; you cannot
lld\el mus. In WllCn CndlnDer are
your garments?"
She pointed with her finger. A man
took taper, and, accompanied by two
others, entered the place. to return
presently with their arms full of all
the apparel they could find. Indeed
they even brought her missal and the
silver crucifix that hung above her
bed and with it her leathern case of
trinkets.
Keep out the warmest cloak" said
Hassan, land tie the rest up in those
carpets"
So the rugs that Sir Andrew had
bought that day from the merchant
GeOrgios We're made to serve as trav-
cling bags to hold his daughters gear.
Even in this hour of haste and danger
thought was taken for her comfort.
Princess" said Hassan, bowling.
my master, your uncle, sent you GER
tain jewels of no mean value. Is it
your wish that they should accompany
you?'
Without lifting her eyes from her
dying fathers face, Rosamund an
swered heavily:
Where they are there let them
bide. What have l to do with jewels?'
Your will is my law" he said; land
others will be found for you. Prin-
cess all is ready; we wait your pleas
ure."
MY pleasure? Oh, God. my pleas
ure" exclaimed Rosamund in the
same drear voice, still staring at her
father who lay before her on the
ground.
q cannot help it," said Hassen, an
sWering the question in her eyes, and
there was grief in his tone. He
would not come, he brought it on him
self though in truth l wish that ac-
cursed Frank had not struck so
shrewdly. If you ask it, we will bear
him with you; but, lady, 1t is idle to
hide the truth-he is sped. have
studied medicine. and 1 know"
Nay" said Sir Andrew from the
floor; leave me here. Daughter we
must part awhile. AS I stole his child
from Ayoub, so Ayoub's son steals
my child from me. Daughter, cling to
the faith-that we may meet again.
ITO the DEATH she answered.
BE comforted," said Hassan. Has
not Salad ed-din passed his word that
except her own will of that of Allan
should change her heart, a cross-wor-
shipper she may live and die. Lady,
for your own sake as well as ours, let
this sad farewell be brief. Begone, my
servants taking these dead and wound
ed with you. There are things 1t is not
fitting that common eyes should see.
remained alone together. Then Rosa
rnund knelt down beside her father
and they whispered into each others
ears. Hassan turned his back upon
them, and threw the corner OF his
cloak over his head and eyes that he
might neither see them nor hear their
voices in this dread and holy hour or
parting.
II would seem that they found some
Kind of hope and consolation in 1t
at least when Rosamund kissed him for
the last time, Sir Andrew smiled and
said:
yes, yes; it may all be for the best.
God will guard you, and His will be
Done. But I forgot. Tell me- daugh-
Ter. which,"
Again she whispered into his ear, and
when he had thought a moment, he
answered:
Maybe you are right. think that
IS wisest for all three. And now on
al three of you-aye, and on your
ehidren's children's children-let my
blessing rest. as rest it shall. Come
hlther, Emir."
Hassan heard him through his cloak
ana, uncovering, came.
say to Saadin, your master, that
ne has been too strong for me, and
Paid me back in my own coin. Well,
MAD II been otherwise, my daughter
snd must soon have parted for death
rev near TO me. At least It is the
Iscree Of God, to which / bow my
mead, trusting there may be truth in
mat dream of his, and that our sor-
rows. In some way unforeseen, will bring
blessings to our brethren In the East .