The San Francisco call., 1905-01-15

Now the wine that he had drunk
took hold of Sinan and he began 10
talk, who without 1t was so silent. >.
"You met the Frank Lozelle DAY,
he said to Goodwin. when riding IN
my gardens, and drew your sword on
him. why did you not Kill MIN
Is he the better man."
'.It seems not, as I sit here unhurt,
lord" answered Goodwin. "Your ser
wants thrust between and separated
U.S."
AYE" replied Sinan. 1T remember:
they had orders. Still, I would tnat
yor had killed him. the unbelieving
dog. who has dared to lift his eyes 10
this Rose of Roses. your sister. fear
not" he went on, addressing Rosa
mund, "he shall offer you no more In
protection OF the signet," and stretcn-
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 blushes that he thought,
but loathing and alarm.
Wulf giared at the Ai-Jebal whose
head by good fortune was turned
away. and SO fierce was the rage
seemed to gather before his eyes, and
through 1t this devilish chief of a peo-
pie Of murderers. clothed In his robe
Of flaming red. looked like q 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 Goodwin
saw the terror in Masouda's eyes. saw
Wulf's hand also and guessed what
wrrno ~ 80 aI- oxrr1f
movement of his arm he struck a
golden dish from the table to the
marble floor. then said In a clear voice
In French:
Brother. be not 80 awkward: pick
up that dish and answer the lord ST.
nan as Is your right mean touching
the matter of Lozelle."
Wulf stopped to obey and his mind
cleared which had been so near to
madness.
II wish 1t not, lord" he said.
who, II can. have your good leave
to slay this fellow on the third night
brother take my place, but not be-
fcre"
Yes, I forgot, said Sinan. $50 1
decreed. and that will be a fight
wish to see. If he kills you, then your
brother shall meet him. And If he
kills you both. then, perhaps I, Sinan,
will meet HMM my own fashion.
Sweet lady. knowing where the course
Is laid. say. do you fear to see this
fray 2"
Rosamund's face paled. but she an
swered proudly:
why should I fear what my
brethren do not fear7 They are brave
knights, bred to arms. and God, In
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 an
swered:
Lady. know that I am the voice
and prophet OF Ailah-aye. and his
sword to punish eyildoers and those
who do not believe. Well. If what
hear is true, your brethren are skilled
horsemen, who even dared to pass my
servant on the narrow bridge. SO VIC
tory may rest with them. Tell me
which of them do you love best, for he
shah first face the sword of Lozelle."
Now as she prepared herself to an
swer Masouda scanned her face
through her half-closed eyes. But,
whatever she may have felt within. 1t
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.
love them equally"
Then, guest of my heart, it shall
go as I have said. Brother Blue Eyes
shall fight first, and If he falls then
brother Gray Eyes. The feast is end
Slaves, bid the people fill their cups.
Lady, I 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 a loud voice:
Servants of Al-Jebal. 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
+; this queen of maids who soon"
And checking himself he drank off his
wine, then with low bow presented
the empty jeweled 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, afiame as these
wine of Al-Jebal, moved them to mad
ness.
Queen! Queen!' they shouted.
Queen of our master and of US alll'
Sinan heard and smiled. Then, mo-
tioning for silence, he took the hand of
Rosamund and kissed 1t, and turning
passed 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
ifterposed herself between them, say
ing in cold, clear voice:
eft is not Dermitted Go. knights
and cool your brows in yonder sgarden,
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
for most Of them had already left the
erence, for the brethren of this new
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 ND 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.
1T would seem So" answered God