The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-11-06

TO which must now got me back
Wulf wiped the sweat from his brow.
shook his head. and muttered:
II always heard the East was full
Q. madmen and devils: now l know
that it is true"
But Goodwin said nothing.
They led the horses back to the Inn,
where the brethren groomed them down
under the direction of the Arab. that
the gallant beasts might get used to
them, which, after carrying them upon
that fearful ride, they did readily
enough. Then they fed them with
chopped barley, ear and straw togeth-
er, and gave them water to drink that
mad stood in the sun all day to warm,
IN which the Arab mixed flour and
some white wine.
Next morning at the dawn they rose
TO see how Flame and Smoke Jared
after that journey. Entering the sta
BILE, they heard the sound of man
weeping, and hidden in the shadow
saw by the dim light of the morning
that 1t was the old Arab, who stood
with his back to them, an arm around
the neck OF each horse, which he kiss
ed from time to time. Moreover, he
talked aloud in his own tongue to
them, calling them his children, and
saying that rather would he sell his
wife and sister to the Franks.
But" he added ''she has spoken
why, know not-and must obey.
Well, at least they are gallant men
and worthy of such steed. Half
hoped that YOU and the three of us
and my niece Masouda, the woman
with the secret face and eyes that
have looked on fear, might perish yes
terday in the cleft of the stream; but
it was not willed of Allah. So fare
well, Flame, and farewell Smoke
children of the desert, who are swifter
than arrows, for never more shall
ride you in battle. Well, at least 1
have others of your matchless blood"
Then Goodwin touched Wulf on the
shoulder, and they crept away from
the stable without the Arab knowing
that they had been there, for 1t SEEM
ed shameful to pry upon his grief
When they reached their room again
Goodwin asked Wulf:
why does this man sell us those
noble steeds?"
Because his niece Masouda has bid
him to do So" he answered.
And why has she hidden fin?'
"Ahl" replied Wulf. He called her
the woman with the secret face and
eyes that have looked on fear didn't
he? Well, for reasons that have to do
with his family perhaps, or with her
Secrets or US, with whom she plays
some game Of which we know neither
the beginning nor the end. But,
Brother Goodwin, you are wiser than 1.
Why do you ask me these riddles? For
my part l do not wish to trouble my
head about them All know Is that
the game is brave one, and l mean
to go through with it, especially as 1
believe that this playing will lead US
to Rosamund."
May it lead us nowhere worse" an
swered Goodwin with something like a
groan, for he remembered that dream
of his which he dreamed in mid-air
between the edges of black rock with
the white foam beneath. But to Wulf
he said nothing of this dream.
When the sun was fully up they
prepared to go out again, taking with
them the gold to pay the Arab; but
on opening the door of their room they
met Masouda, appa~ently about to
knock upon it.
Whittier go you, friends Peter and
John, and so early?" she asked, look
ing at them with a smile upon her
beautiful face that was so thrilling
and seemed to hide so much mystery
Goodwin thought to himself that it was
like another smile, that on the face
of the woman-headed stone sphinx
which they had seen set up In the
market-place of Beirut.
ITO visit our horses and pay your
uncle, the Arab, his money" answer
ed Wulf.
Indeed! 1 thought 1 saw you DO
the first hour ago. and as for the
second, it is useless; Son of the Sand
has gone"
Gone! With the horses?"
Nay. he has left them behind"
did you pay him, then, lady?"
asked Goodwin.
1t was easy to see that Masouda
was pleased at this courteous word
for her voice, which in general seemed
somewhat hard, softened as she an
swered, for the first time giving him
his own title.
why do yau call me lady Sir
Goodwin darcy, who am but an inn
keeper, for whom sometimes men find
hard names? Well. perhaps, 1 was
a lady once before l became an Inn
keeper; but now 1 am-the widow Ma
SCUBA, as you are the pilgrim Peter.
Still, l thank you for this-bad guess
of yours" Then, stepping back a
foot or two towards the door, which
she had closed behind her, she made
him a curtsey 80 fun Of dignity and
grace that any who saw 1t must be
sure that, wherever she might dwell,
she was not bred in inns.
Goodwin returned the bow, doffing
his cap. Their eyes met and from
hers he learned that he had no treach-
cry TO fear from that woman, what
ever else he might have to fear. In
deed from that moment, however black
and doubtful seemed the road, he
would have trusted his life to her;
for this was the message written there
IA message which she meant that he
should read. Yet at his heart he felt
terribly afraid Wulf. who saw some
thing Of all this and guessed more,
also was afraid. He wondered what
Rosamund would have thought OF H.
II she had seen that strange look In
the eyes OF this woman who had been
A lady and was an inn-keeper, of one
whom men called Spy. and daughter
OF Satan, and child OF Al-je-bal. To hts
fancy that look was like nash OF
lightning upon a dark night, which
FOR second illumsnes some magical,
unguessed landscape. after which
comes the night again. blseker than
before.
Now the widow Masouda was saying
In her usual somewhat hard voice:
NO: I did not pay him. Al the mst
he would take no money but, having
passed Il, neither would be break his
word TO knights who can ride % well
and boldly. SO made bargain with
hin, on behalf Of both Of you, which |
EXPECT that you will keep. since my
good faith Re pledged, and this Arab
is A chief and my kinsman. II is this,
that II you and these horses should
live. and the time comes when you
have no more noed OF them. you viii
cause Al 40 be cried IN the market place