The Savannah morning news., 1904-10-23

~ ~ ~ no more OF this
merchant ThoRA Tor did they seek
him out again. since they Thought if
unwise to show themselves too curious
about the Sheik Al-js-bal. Indeed. II
would have been useless, since he was
ashore two full hours before they were
suffered to leave the ship, from which
he departed alone in a private boat
Al length they stood in the motley
eastern crowd upon the quay. Won
derlng where they could find an inn
that was quiet and of cheap charges
since they did not wish to be consid-
cred persons of wealth or Importance.
As they fingered here, somewhat he
wildered, a tall, yelled woman whom
they had noted watching them, drew
near. accompanied by a porter. who
led donkey. This man, without
more ado, seized their baggage, and
helped by other porters began to fast
en- it upon the back of the donkey
with great rapidity and when thew
would have forbidden him, pointed to
the yelled woman.
Your pardon" said Goodwin to her
at length and speaking in French
but this man"
Loads up your baggage to take II
to my inn. 1t is cheap, quiet and
comfortable-things which l heard
you say you required just now, did /
not!' she answered in sweet voice
also speaking in good French.
Goodwin looked at Wulf and Wulf at
Godwm, and they began to discuss to-
gether what they should do. When
they had agreed that it seemed not
wise to trust themselves to the care
OF strange woman in this fashion.
they looked up to see the donkey laden
with their trunks being led away by
the porter
Too late to say nay, 1 fear me-"
said the woman with laugh, so YOU
must be my guests awhile if you would
not lose your baggage. Come, after so
long a journey you need to wash and
eat. Follow me, sirs l pray you"
Then she walked through the crowd.
which, they noted, parted for her as
she went, to post where a fine mule
was tied. Loosing 1t, she leaped to the
saddle without help, and began to ride
away, loking back from time to time
to see that they were following her,
as, indeed, they must.
Whittier go We 1 wonder" said
Goodwin, as they trudged through the
sands of Beirut, with the hot sun
striking on their heads.
Who can answer that question when
strange woman leads?" replied Wulf,
with a laugh.
ed through doorway in wall of I'M
ournt brick, and they found themselves
before the porch of a white, rambling
house which stood In a large garden
planted with mulberries, oranges and
other fruit trees that weer strange to
them, and was situated on the borders
of the city
Here the woman dismounted and
gave the mule to a Nubian who was
ment she unveiled herself, and turned
towards them as though to show her
beauty. Beautiful she was. of that
there could be no doubt, with her
GRACEFUL swaying shape, her dark and
liquid eyes, her rounded features and
strangely impressive countenance. She
was young also, perhaps 25, no more,
and very fair-kinned for an Eastern.
My poor house is for pilgrims and
merchants, not for famous knights;
yet, sirs, l welcome you to it," she
said presently, scanning them out of
the corners of her eyes.
I'VE are but squires in our own
country, who make the pilgrimage"
replied Goodwin. For what sum each
day will you give us board and a
good room to sleep inn"
These strangers" she said i'm Ara
BIC to the porter, do not speak the
truth"
What is that to your" he answered
as he busted himself in loosening the
baggage. They will pay their score,
and all sorts of mad folk come to this
country, pretending to be what they
are not. Also you sought them-why,
| know not-not they you"
Mad or sane, they are proper men,
said the impressive woman. as though
to herself, then added in French, "Sirs,
| repeat, this is but a humble place,
scarce fit for knights like you. but if
you will honour it, the charge is-so
much"
I'VE are satisfied" said Goodwin,
especially" he added. with a bow
and removing the cap from his head,
"as. having brought us here without
leave asked we are sure that you will
treat US who are strangers kindly.
LAS kindly as you Will mean as
you can pay for" said the woman.
May, l will settle with the porter; he
would cheat you"
Then followed a wrangle five minutes
long between this curious, handsome,
still-faced woman and the porter. who,
after the eastern fashion dashed him
self into a frenzy over the sum she Of
fered. and at length began to call her
by i'll names.
she stood looking at MN quite UNI
moved, although Goodwin, who under
stood all. but pretended to UNDER
stand nothing, wondered at her pa
thence. Presently, however, in per-
feet foam of passion he said, or rather
spat out:
"No wonder. Masouda the Spy. that
after hiring me to do your evil work,
you take the part Of these Christian
dogs against true believer, you child
of AL je-bal!"
Instantly the woman seemed to stiff
fen like a snake about to strike.
''Who is hep" she said coldly. do
you mean the lord-who kills?' And
she looked at him-,a terrible look.
At that glance all the anger seemed
to go out Of the man.
your pardon, widow Masouda," he