The Savannah morning news., 1904-12-11

Rosamund, "he shall offer you no more
insult, who are henceforth under the
protection of the Signet," and stretch
ing out his thin, cruel-looking hand,
on which cleaned the ring of power,
he patted her on the arm.
All of these things Masouda trans
lated, while Rosamund dropped her
head to hide her face, though on 1t
were not the bushes that he thought,
but loathing and alarm.
Wulf glared at the Al-je-bal, whose
head by good fortune was turned
away, and so fierce was the rage
swelling in his heart that a mist SEEM
ed to gather before his eyes, and
through it this devilish chief of a
people of murderers, clothed in his
robe of flaming red, looked like a man
STEPPED in blood. The thought came
to him suddenly that he would make
him what he looked, and his hand
passed to his sword hilt. But God
win saw the terror in Masouda's eyes,
saw Wulfs hand also, and guessed
what was about to chance. With a
swift movement OF his arm he struck
gllden dish from the table to the
marble floor, then said in a clear voice
in French:
Brother, be not so awkward; pick
up that dish and answer the lord ST.
nan as is your right mean, touch
ing the matter of Lozelle."
Wult stopped to obey. and his mind
cleared which had been so near to
madness.
Il wish it not, lord" he said, who,
If 1 can, have your good leave to slay
this fellow on the third night from
now. If I fail, then let my brother
take my place, but not before"
Yes, 1 forgot" said Sinan. 80 l
decreed, and that will be a fight l
wish to see. If he kills you then your
brother shall meet him. And if he
kills you both, then, perhaps, l, Sinan,
will meet HMM my own fashion.
Sweet lady, knowing where the course
is laid, say, do you fear to see this
fray?"
Rosamund's face paled, but she an
swered proudly:
why should l fear what my breth-
rem do not fear? They are brave
Whose hand are all our destinies--even
yours, o Lord of Death-He will
guard the right"
When this speech was translated to
him Sinan quailed little, then he
answered.:
Lady, know that l am the Voice
and Prophet of Allah-aye, and his
sword to punish evil-doers and those
who do not believe. Well, if what l
hear is true, your brethren are skill
ed horsemen who even dared to pass
my servant on the narrow bridge, so
victory may rest with them. Tell me
which of them do you love the best,
for he shall first face the sword of Lo-
zelle"
Now as she prepared herself to an
swer Masouda scanned her face
through her half-closed eyes. But,
whatever she may have felt within,
it remained calm and cold as though
it were cut in stone.
ITO me they are as one man." she
said. when one speaks, both speak.
l love them equally"
Then, Guest of my heart. it shall
go as l have said. Brother Blue-eyes
shall fight first, and if he falls then
brother Grey-eyes. The feast is ended,
and it is my hour for prayer. Slaves,
bid the people fill their cups. Lady,
pray of you, stand forward on the
dais"
She obeyed, and at sign the black
slave-women gathered behind her with
their flaming torches. Then Sinan
rose also, and cried with loud
voice:
Servants of Al-je-bal, pledge, / COM
mand you, this Flower of flowers, the
high-born Princess of Baalbec, the
niece of the Sultan, Salah-ed-din, whom
men call the Great" and he sneered,
though he be not so great as l, this
Queen of maids who soon" And
checking himself, he drank of his
wine, then with a low bow presented
the empty jewelled cup to Rosamund.
All the company drank also, and
shouted till the hall rang, for her love-
illness as she stood thus in the fierce
light of the torches, aflame as these
men were with the vision breeding wine
of Al-je-bal, moved them to madness.
Queen! Queen!" they shouted.
Queen of our Master and of us ALI"
Sinan heard and smiled. Then, mo-
tioning for silence, he took the hand
of Rosamund and kissed it, and turn
ing, pa ssed from the hall preceded by
his singing women and surrounded by
his dais and guards.
Goodwin and Wulf stepped forward to
speak with Rosamund, but Masouda in
terposed herself between them, saying
in a cold, clear voice:
ut is not permitted. Go, knights.
and cool your brows in yonder garden,
where sweet water runs. Your sister
is in charge. Fear not, for she is
guarded"
Come" said Goodwin to Wulf; I'VE
had best obey"
So together they walked through the
crowd of those feasters that remained,
for most of them had already left
the hall, who made way, not without
reverence, for the brethren of this new
star of beauty, on to the terrace, and
from the terrace into the gardens. Here
they stood awhile in the sweet fresh
ness of the night, which was very
grateful, after the heated, perfume
laden air of the banquet; then began
to wander up and down among the
scented trees and flowers. The moon,
floating in a cloudless sky, was almost
at it's full. and by her light they saw
a wondrous scene. Under many of
the trees and in tents set about here
and there, rugs were spread and to
them came men who had drunk of the
wine of the feast, and cast themselves
down to sleep.
Are they drunk?" asked Wulf.
att would seem So" answered God
win.
Yet these men appeared to be mad
rather than drunk, for they walked
steadily enough, but with wide-set.
dreamy eyes; nor did they seem 10
sleep upon the rugs, but lay there star
ing at the sky and muttering with
their lips. their faces stepped I'm a
strange, unholy rapture. Sometimes
they would rise and walk a few PAGES
with outstretched arms, till the arms
closed as though they clasped some
thing invisible, 10 which they bent
their heads 10 babble awhile. Then
they walked back 10 their rugs again
where they remained silent.
As they lay thus. white-veiled wom-
en- appeared, who crouched by the