The San Francisco call., 1905-01-08

near to me- At least it is the decree Of
God. to which bow my head, trusting
there may be truth in that dream OF
his, and that our sorrows, in some way
unforeseen, will bring blessings to our
brethren in the East. But to Saladin
say also that whatever his bigot faith
may teach, for Christian and for Pay
MIN there is a meeting place beyond
the grave. Say that if aught of wrong
or insult is done toward this maiden
I swear by the God who made US both
that there I will hold him to account.
Now, since it must be SO, take her and
go your way, knowing that my spirit
follows after you and her; yes. and
that even in this world she will find
avengers.
II hear your words, and I will de-
liver them,' answered Hassan- More,
I believe that they are true, and for
the rest you have the oath of Salah-
ed-din-aye, and NJ oath while she is
in my charge. r. T.srefore, Sir Andrew
darcy, forgiysus who are but the
instruments ~ Allah, and die in peace.
''I. who have so much to be forgiven.
forgive you," answered the old knight
slowly.
Then his eyes fixed themselves upon
his daughters face with one long
searching look and closed.
IT think that he is Dead" said Has
san. May God be merciful and COM
passionate. rest his soul!' And TAX
ing a white garment from the wall he
flung it over him, adding, Lady,
come"
Thrice Rosamund looked at the
shrouded figure on the floor; once she
wrung her hands and seemed about to
fall. Then, as though thought
struck her. she lifted her fathers
sword from where 1t lay, and gather
ing her strength. drew herself up and
passed like a queen down the blood
stained passage and the steps of the
solar. In the hall beneath waited the
band of Hassan. who bowed as she
.came-a vision of despairing lowell
ness, that held aloft red and naked
sword. There, too, lay the drugged
men, fallen this way and that, and
among them Wuf across the table and
Goodwin on the dais. Rosamund spoke.
Are these dead or sleeping?"
Have no fear" answered Hassan.
by my hope of paradise, they do but
sleep and will awake ere morning.
Rosamund pointed to the renegade
Nicholas-he that had struck down
her father from behind, who, an evil
look upon his face, stood apart from
the Saracens, holding in his hand a
lighted torch.
What does this man with the
torch?" she asked.
IF you would know, lady," he an
swered with a sneer, Il wait till you
be out of it to fire the hail.
Prince Hassan." said Rosamund.
'is this deed that great Saladin would
wish, to burn drugged men beneath
their own roof? Now, as you shall
answer to him, in the name of Saladin.
I, daughter of his house. command
you, strike the fire from that mans
hand, and in my hearing give you or
der that none should even think OF
such an act of shame"
"What?" broke in Nicholas, "and
leave knights such as these, whose
quality you know''-and he pointed to
the brethren-"to follow in our path
and take our lives in vengeance? Why,
1t Is madness.
Are you master here, traitor. or am
II" asked the Lord Hassan in cold
contempt. Let them follow If they
will and for one shall rejoice to meet
knights SO brave in open battle and
there give them their revenge. Ali" he
added, addressing the man who had
been disguised as q merchants under
ling and who had drugged the men in
the barn as his master had drugged
those in the hall, and opened the moat
torch and guard that Frank till we
reach the boat lest the fool should raise
the country on us with his fires. Now,
Princess, are You satisfied"
AYE. having your word" she an
swered. "One moment, / pray you. !
would leave a token to my knights"
Then, while they watched her with
wondering eyes, she unfastened the
gold cross and chain that hung upon
her bosom and slipping the cross from
the chain, went to where Goodwin lay
and placed it on his breast Next, with
a swift movement, she wound the chain
about the silver hilt of Sir Andrews $
sword and. passing to Wulf, with one
strong, swift thrust, drove the point
into the wood of the table so that it
stood before him-at once a cross, a
brand of battle and a lady's token.
His grandsire wore it," she said in
Arabic, when he leaped on the walls
of Jerusalem. 1t is my last gift to
him." But the Saracens muttered and
turned pale at these words of evil
omen.
Then taking the hand of Hassan, who
stood watching her white, inscrutable
face, with never a word or backward
look, she swept down the length of the
long hall and out into the night be-
yond.
TT would have been well to take my
counsel and fire the place. or at least
to cut the throats of all within 1t,
said the man Nicholas to his guard Ali
as they walked with the rest. IF
know aught of these brethren. cross
and sword will soon be hard upon our
track and mems lives must pay the
price of such soft folly" And he
shivered as though in fear.
1T may be So, spy" answered the
Saracen, looking at him with SOM
Der. contemptuous eyes. 1T may be
that your life will pay the price,"
Wulf was dreaming, dreaming that
he stood on his head upon a wooden
board, as once he had seen juggler
do, which turned round one way while
he turned round the other, till at
length some one shouted at him, and
he tumbled off the board and hurt
himself. Then he awoke to hear
voice shouting surely enough-the
voice of Matthew. the chaplain of
Steeple Church.
"Awakei" said the voice. I'm Gods
name, I conjure you, awake!"
What is it?" he said, lifting his
head sleepily, and becoming con-
scious of dull pain across his fore
head.
1T is that death and the devil have
beep here. Sir Wulf."
We'll, they are often near together.