davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1905-01-22

day by day, he reflected on their ad-
ventures since they landed at Beirut
and saw how heaven had guided their
every STEP In the face of the warn
ings that were given them, to visit the
Al-Jebal in his stronghold had seemed
a madness. Yet there, where none
could have thought she would be, they
had found Rosamund. There they had
been avenged upon the false knight Sir
Hugh Lozelle, who had betrayed her,
first to Saladin, then to Sinan, and sent
him down to death and judgment; and
thence they had rescued Rosamund.
Oh. how wise they had been to obey
the dying words of their uncle, Sir An
drew, who doubtless was given fore
had helped them, who could not have
helped themselves, and his minister
had been Masouda. But for Masouda,
Rosamund would by now be lost or
dead, and they, Ii their lives were still
left to them, would be wanderers in
the great land of Syria, seeking for
one who never could be found.
Why had Masouda done these things,
again and again, putting her own life
upon the hazard to save theirs and the
honor of another woman? AS he ask
ed himself the question Goodwin felt
the red blood rise to his face. Be
cause she hated Sinan, who had mur-
dered her parents and degraded her,
she said; and doubtless that had to do
with the matter. But it was no longer
possible to hide the truth. She loved
him, and had loved him from the first
hour when they met. He had always
suspected tin that wild trial of the
horses upon the mountain side, when
she sat with her arms about him and
her face pressed against his face, when
she kissed his feet after he had saved
her from the lion, and many another
time.
But as they followed Wulf and Rosa
mund up the mountain pass, while the
host OF the Assassins thundered at
their heels, and in broken gasps she
had told him of her sad history, then
1t was that he grew sure Then, too,
he had said that he held her not vile,
but noble, as indeed he did; and. think
ing their death upon them, she had
answered that she held him dear and
looked upon him as a woman looks
upon her only love-a message in her
eyes that no man could feil to read
Yet If this were so, why had Masouda
saved Rosamund, the lady to whom
she knew well that he was sworn?
Reared among those cruel folk who
could wade to their desire through
blood and think it honor, would she
not have left her rival to her doom,
seeing that oaths do not hold beyond
the grave?
An answer came into the heart of
Goodwin at the very thought of which
he turned pale and trembled. His
brother was also sworn to Rosamund
and che in her soul must be sworn to
The San Francisco call., 1905-01-22

with light hearts and good appetite.
Before their meal was finished the
guard at the door announced that mes
sengers had arrived from the Sultan.
They entered, gray-haired men, clad in
the robes of sectaries. whom Hassan
fastened to greet. When they were
seated and had spoken with him awhile
one of them drew forth a stter, which
Hassan. touching his forehead with 1t
in token of respect. gave to Rosamund.
She broke its seal, and, seeing that 1t
was in Arabic, handed 1t to her cousin,
saying:
''Do you read It. Goodwin. who are
more learned than I"
So he read 1t aloud: translating the
letter sentence by sentence. This was
its purport:
"Salah-ed-din, Commander Of the
Faithful. the Strong to aid, to his niece
beloved, Rose Of the World, Princess Of
Baalbec--Our servant, the Emir Has
san, has sent US tidings of your rescue
from the power Of the accursed lord Of
the mountain, Sinan, and that you are
now safe In our city of Emesa, guarded
by many thousands of our soldiers, and
with you woman named Masouda and
your, kinsmen, the two Frankish
knights, by whose skill In arms and
courage you were saved. Now this Is to
command you to come to our court at
Damascus as soon as you may De MT 10
travel, knowing that here you will be
received with love and honor. Also
invite your knsmen to accompany you,
since / knew their father. and would
welcome knights who have done such
great deeds, and the woman Masouda
with them. Or, II they prefer 1t, all
three of them may return to their own
lands and people.
Hasten, my niece, lady Rose Of the
World, hasten, for my spirit seeks you
and my eyes desire to look upon you.
In the name Of Allah, greeting
"You have heard" said Rosamund, as
Goodwin finished reading the scroll.
Now, my cousins, what will you do?"
What else but go with you, whom
we have come so far to seek?" an
swered Wulf. and Goodwin nodded his
head in assent.
And you, Masouda?"
1T, lady? Oh, go also, since were
to return yonder," and she nodded to-
ward the mountains, my greeting
would be one that do not wish"
do you note their words, Prince
Hassan?" asked Rosamund.
'I expected no other" he answered,
with bow. "Only, knights, you must
give me a promise. for even in the
midst Of my army such is needful from
men who can fly like birds out of the
fortress of Masyaf and from the knives
Of the Assassins-who are mounted,
moreover. on the swiftest horses in
Syria that have been trained to carry
a double burden" and he looked at
them meaningly. 1T is that upon this
The San Francisco call., 1905-01-22

Ifc storned at them. but they replied:
Nay, we will ole together
Masouda looked at the horses Flame
and Smoke, which seemed but little
troubled.
so be it." she said; they have car
ried double before, and must again.
lTount in front of the lady, Sir Cod
hand. and you will learn what this
breed can do
So they mounted. Forward started
Flame and Smoke with a long, swing
ing gallop. while from the Assassins
above, who thought that they held
them. went UP shout of rage and
wonder
Their horses are also tired, and we
may beat them yet" called the daunt-
less Masouda But Goodwin and Wulf
looked sadly at the ten miles of plain
between them and the river bank.
On they went, and on. A quarter Of
It was done. Half of it was done, but
now the first of the fedai hung upon
their flanxs not two hundred yards be-
hind. Little by little this distance les
sened. AT length they were scarcely
fifty yards away, and one of them
flung a spear. In her terror Rosamund
sohbed aloud.
Spur the horses, knights" cried
Masouda, and for the first time they
At the sting of the steel Flame and
Smoke sprang forward as though they
mad just left their stable door and the
gap between pursuers and pursued
widened. Two more miles were done,
and scarce seven furlongs from them
they saw the broad mouth of the
bridge, while the towers of Emesa be-
yond seemed so close that in this clear
air they could perceive the watchmen
outlined against the sky. Then they
descended little valley and lost sight
OF the bridge and town.
At the rise of the opposing slope the
strength of Flame and Smoke at last
began to fail beneath their double
burdens. They painted and trembled,
and, save in short rushes, no longer
answered to the spur. The Assassfns
saw and came on with wild shouts.
Nearer and nearer they drew, and the
sound of their horses hoofs beating on
the sand was like the sound of thun-
der. Now once more they were nifty
yards away and now but thirty, and
again the spears began to flash, though
none struck them.
Masouda screamed to the horses In
Arabic. and gallantly did they strug-
gle, plunging up the hill with slow,
Convulsive bounds. Goodwin and Wulf
locked at each other, then, at signal,
checked their speed. leaped to earth,
and, turning, drew their swords.
"On!" they cried, and lightened of
their weight, once more the reeling
horses plunged forward.
The Assassins were upon them. Wulf
struck mighty blow and emptied the
The San Francisco call., 1905-01-22

RULES.
be considered that than
in
plain figures
In will The unknown
will standing a popular author.
OF Western writers stories under de plume win be considered
publication well
will be
will be published each week
indefinitely.
An submit he desires but
will returned
accompanied by
Write side of and address legibly
IA I'D
The San Francisco call., 1905-01-22

eyes opened, thought that we were
back again in the guest chambers Of
AI-Jebal, where folk crept round us as
we slept and murderers marched to
and fro outside the curtains, lingering
their knife points. Well, whatever there
is to come, thank the Saints, that is
done with. / tell you, brother, I have
had enough of mountains, and narrow
bridges, and AsEassins. Henceforth, l
desire to live upon a fiat with never a
hill In sight, amidst honest folk as
stupid as their own sheep, who go to
church on Sundays and get drunk, not
with hashich, but on brown ale.
sorceress, but by a draggle-tailed
wench in a tavern, with her musty bed
straw still sticking in her hair. Give
me the saltings of Essex with the east
winds blowing over them. and the
primroses abioom upon the bank, and
the lanes fetlock deep in mud, and for
your share you may take all the scent
of his ladies, with the fghtings and
adventures of the golden East thrown
In"
Il never sought these things, and we
are long way from Essex" answered
Goodwin shortly.
NO" said Wulf, "but they seem to
seek you. What new of Masouda?
which has been long?"
.'I have seen no one except the leech
who tended you, the slaves who
brought US food, and last evening the
Prince Hassan, who came to see how
we fated. He told me that, like
yourself, Rosamund and Masouda
slept"
ST am glad to hear It," answered
Wulf, "for certainly it was earned. BY
ST. Chad what a woman is this
Masouda! A heart of fire and nerves
of STEEL Beautiful, too-most beauti-
full: and the best horsewoman that
ever sat a steed. Had 1t not been for
her By heaven! when think OF 1t
feel as though I loved her-dont
your"
NO" said Goodwin. still more shortly.
"Ah. well, I daresay she can love
enough for two who does nothing by
halves, and, all things considered he
added, with one of his great laughs,
1T am glad 1t is ! of whom she thinks
SO little-yes, who adore her as
though she were my patron saint.
Hark! the guards challenge" and.
forgetting where he was he snatched
at his sword.
Then the door opened and through
II appeared the Emir Hassan, who
saluted them in the name OF Allah,
searching them with his quiet eyes.
Few would judge, to look at you,
sir knights" he said with a smile.
that you have been the guests of the
Old Man of the Mountain, and left
his house so hastily by the back door.
Three days more and you will be as
The San Francisco call., 1905-01-22

beauty and her royal bearing. The
brethren they praised also, although
these were unbelievers, and the tale of
how WuIf had fought the traitor
knight upon the Narrow Way and OF
how they had led their kinswoman
from the haunted fortress of Masyaf
was passed from mouth to mouth.
At dawn the next day. on orders re-
ceived from the Sultan. they left Baal-
bee, escorted by the army and many or
the notables of the town. That after
noon they drew rein upon the heights
which overlook the city OF Damascus,
Bride of the Earth, set amid its seven
streams and ringed about with gar
dens, one of the most beautiful and
perhaps the most ancient city in the
world. Then they rode down to the
bounteous plain, and as night fell, hav-
ing passed the encircling gardens, were
escorted through the gates Of Damas-
Gus, outside of which the army halted
and encamped.
Along the narrow streets, bordered by
yellow, flat-roofed houses, they rode
slowly, looking now at the motley,
many-colored crowds, who watched
them with grave interest, and now at
the stately buildings, domed mosques
and towering minarets, which every
where stood out against the deep blus
of the evening sky. Thus at length
they came to an open space planted
like a garden, beyond which was seen a
huge and fantastic castle that Hassan
told them was the palace of Salah-ed-
din. In its courtyard they were parted,
Rosamund being led away by officers
of the state, while the brethren were
taken to chambers that had been pre-
pared, where, after they had bathed.
they were served with food.
Scarcely had they eaten it when Has
san appeared, and bade them follow
him. Passing down various passages
and across court they came to some
guarded doors, where the soldiers de-
manded that they should give up their
swords and daggers.
1t is not needful," said Hassan. and
they let them go by. Next came more
passages and curtain, beyond which
they found themselves in a small,
domed room. lit by hanging silver
lamps and paved in tesselated marbles,
strewn with rich rugs and furnished
with cushioned couches.
At sign from Hassan they stood
stili in the center Of this room, and
looked about them wondering. The
place was empty and very silent: they
felt afraid-of what they knew not.
Presently curtains upon its further
side opened and through them came
man turbaned and wrapped in a
dark robe, who stood awhile In the
shadow, gazing at them beneath the
lamps.
The San Francisco call., 1905-01-22
ANNOUNCEMENT.

For the of California and Western writer's
paid
for the of bringing and unknown
weekly
which of $50 will be paid each week for the best
America fertile
te for fiction prolific gifted give spirit the
California and Therefore Sun
Call each by West
of will
preference but all and especially
stories by writer's will careful consideration
Each story will be Judged strictly its literary merit
the consider
writing if afford have typewriter.
Fifty dollars cash
words SIT
highest
best writers
often half and
With majority of the after his
he paid period of seldom less than months and usually
The this will
paid public and will be published the
The San Francisco call., 1905-01-22

OF Baalbec, whereof the garrison and
people, having been warned by run
ners OF the rank and titles of Rosa
mund came out to do her homage as
their lady.
Hearing Of it she left her litter and
mounting a splendid horse which they
nad sent her as present. rode to meet
tnem, the brethren, In full armor and
once more bestriding Flame and
Smoke, beside her and a guard of Sal
adin's own Mamelukes behind Sol
elnn, turbaned men, who had been
commanded so to do by messengers
from the Sultan. brought her the keys
OF the gates on cushion, minstrels
and soldiers marched before her, while
crowding on the walls and running
alongside came the citizens in their
thousands. On they went through the
open gates. past the towering columns
of ruined temples once home of the
worship Of heather gods, through
courts and vaults to the citadel sur
rounded by Its gardens that In dead
ages had been the Acropolis of forgot
ten Roman Emperors.
Here in the portico Rosamund turned
her horse and received the salutations
OF the multitude as though she also
were one of the worlds rulers. In
deed, 1t seemed to the brethren watch
ing her as she sat upon the great white
horse and surveyed the shouting. bend
ing crowd with flashing eyes, splendid
in her bearing and beautiful to see,
Prince at her stirrup and an army at
her back, that none of those who had
trod that path before her could have
seemed greater or more glorious in
the hour of their pride than did this
English girl, who by the whim Of Fate
had suddenly been set so high. Truly
by blood and nature she was fitted to
be a Queen. Yet as Rosamund sat thus
the pride passed from her face and her
eyes fell.
"Of what are you thinking?" asked
Goodwin at her side.
THAT / would we were back among
the summer fields at Steeple," she an
swered, "for those who are lifted high
may fall low. Prince Hassan, give the
captains and people my thanks and
bid them be gone. / would rest"
Thus for the first time and last did
Rosamund behold her ancient f1ef of
Baalbec, which her grandsire, the great
Ayoub. had ruled before her.
That night there was feasting in the
mighty. immemorial halls, and singing
and minstrelsy and the dancing of fair
women and the giving of gifts. For
Baalbec, where birth and beauty were
ever welcome, did honor to It's lady the
favored niece Of the mighty Salah- ed
din. Yet there were some who muir
INJURED that she would bring no good
fortune to the Sultan or this his city.
who was not Of all the Blood of Ayoub.
but half Frank and a cross Worship
er,, though even these praised her
The San Francisco call., 1905-01-22
CHAPTER XVI.
The Sultan saIadin.

In the morning Goodwin awoke to see
the rays of sunrise streaming through
the latticed window. They fell upon
another bed near by where Wulf still
lay sleeping, bandage on his head
that had been hurt in the last charge
against the Assassins, and other ban
dages about his arms and body, which
were much bruised in the fight on the
dreadful bridge.
Wondrous was 1t to Goodwin to watch
him lying there sleeping healthily, not
withstanding his hurts, and to think of
what they had gone through with SO
little harm; to think, also. Of how they
had rescued Rosamund out of the very
mouth of that earthly hell OF which he
could see the peaks through the open
window place-out of the very hands Of
the fiend, its ruler. Reckoning the tale
The San Francisco call., 1905-01-22

saddle of the first, then was swept to
earth. AS he fell from behind he
heard scream of joy, and, struggling
to his knees. looked round. Loi from
over the crest of the rise rushed squad
ron upon squadron of turbaned cav
airy, who, as they came. set their
lances at rest and shouted:
"Salah-ed- Salah-ed- d-dini"
The Assassins also saw, and turned
to fly-too latei
"a horse! A horse." screamed God
win in Arabic: and presently, how he
never knew-found himself mounted
and charging with the Saracens.
To Wulf, too, a horse was brought,
but he could not struggle to its sad
die. Thrice he strove. then fell back
ward and lay upon the sand, waving
his sword and shouting where he lay,
while Masouda stood by him, a dagger
in her hand, and with her Rosamund
upon her knees.
Now the pursuers were the pursued,
and dreadful was the reckoning that
they must pay. Their horses were out
worn and could not fly at speed. Some
of the fedai were cut down upon them.
Some dismounted. and gathering
themselves In little groups, fought
brayely till they were slain, while a
few were taken prisoners. OF all that
great troop of men not a score won
back alive to Masyaf to make report
to their master of how the chase of his
lost bride had ended.
A while later and Wulf from his seat
upon the ground saw Goodwin riding
back toward him, his red sword in his
hand. With him rode a sturdy, bright
eyed man gorgeously appareled, at the
sight of whom Rosamund Sprang
to her feet. then, as he dismounted. ran
forward and with little cry cast her
arms about him.
20 Hassanl Prince Hassanl Is 1t
indeed you? oh, God be praised!" she
gasped. then. had not, Masouda caught
her. would have fallen.
The enlir looked at her, her long hair
loose, her face stained, her veil torn,
but still clad In the silk and cleaning
gems with which she had been decked
as the bride-elect of Al-Jebal. Then
low TO the earth he bent his knee
while the grave Saracens watched, and
taking the hem of her garment, he
kissed it.
Allah be praised indeed" he said
'I, his unworthy servant, thank him
from my heart, who never thought to
see you living more. Soldiers, salute.
Before you stands the lady Rose OF
the World, Princess of Baalbec and
niece of your lord, Salah-ed-din, Com
mander of the Faithful"
Then in stately salutation to this dis
heveled, outworn, but still queenly
woman, uprose hand and spear and
scimitar, while Wulf cried from where
he lay:
why, 1t is our merchant of the
The Paducah sun., 1905-06-29
HAD NO RIGHT
To Tear Up the Street, Judge ss,n-
dcrs Decided.

The Paducah CITY Railway Co.
was this morning fined $40 and costs
in police court for tearing up the
btulithic street at Sixth and Broad
way without a permit from the prop
er authority.
Mayor Yeiser. supt. Gus Thomp-
son, of the street car company, and
one or two other Witnesses we're
heard and Mr. Thompson testified
that the street was torn up by per-
mission OF MIR. Saunders Fowler, sec
retary of the board of public works.
Mr.. Fowler does not think II neces-
sary for the company to secure a
permit from anyone, while Mayor
Yelser thinks II is and says II the
permission was granted by Mr.. Fow-
ler It was not legal. The court de-
cided that the company was guilty Of
"a breach OF ordinance and fined "a
$40 and costs.
There is still another warrant
pending against the street car COM
pany for refusing to stop a car at
Fourth and Jefferson. streets for Mr.
James Il. Wilhelm and this has been
set for Monday.
The street car company Will not
appeal the fine assessed today, al
though there is some question as tq
It's right to tear up the streets with
out permit. Several corporations
here claim that they have a right to
tear up the streets as often as IL is
necessary In their business. without
securing a permit, but the question
has never been settled by the courts.
The Paducah sun., 1905-06-29
Property Owners Can Not Now
be Made TO Pay for Sewers.
Mwr About sanitary Conditiun--
city Ctcrk Bailcy's Vacation
Next Week.
AND OTHER MUNICIPAL NOTES

City Solicitor Ed Puryear, II II
said. thinks that suit could be
brought by the city against property
owners along streets already paved,
for half the cost of the storm water
sewerage That is, on all the streets
paved since the second class charter
went into effect, This would not in
clude Broadway from First to Fifth,
which was paved under the thiro
class charter.
One gentleman writes the Sun as
follows:
81 notice where the solicitor is
quoted as saying that property own
ers along Broadway and other streets
can be sued for half the cost of storm
water sewerage. He does not. accord
ing TO the way he is quoted, exclude
Broadway from First to Fifth, which
was paved several years ago under
the third class charter. II he knows
anything about the charters, he must
know that under the Third class
charter all street reconstruction is
paid for by the city. and II this storm
water sewerage is part of the street
as he claims, is was properly paid for
by the city at that time, as the city
had TO pay for all street reconstruc-
ton under the old charter and prop
erty owners cannot be made to pay
for IT now Certainly now that there
is new charter the city cannon go
back several years and try TO collect
for something that was properly done
under the charter in effect at that
time"
The Paducah sun., 1905-06-29
Only One More Chance for
Young James Ezell.
His Case Passed On by the Supreme
Court OF the state Of Penn
sylvania Today.
ATTORNEY CoRBErT NOTIFIED,

Louisville. Ky, June 29.-Attor-
ney Hal S. Corbett, of Paducah. who
is in Louisville. was today apprised
by telegram from Philadelphia. that
the supreme court of Pennsylvania
had upheld a verdict of the lower
court in the case of James w Ez-
ell sentenced to death.
Young Ezell is a son of w. w Ez-
ell, prominent merchant of May
field, and left his home four years
ago and secured a position as tele-
graph operator at Uniontown. Pa,
Here he met William Porter. yard
master of railroad, and they be-
came friends until about year ago,
when after an alteration Ezell kill
ed him. Ezell admitted the killing,
but claimed self-defense.
Arrangements will be made at once
to take the case before the state
board of pardons and strong efforts
will be made to save young Ezell's
life. Mr. Corbett is very hopeful of
success. The order of Railway Tele-
graphers is enlisted in the movement
in Ezells behalf.
The Paducah sun., 1905-06-29
Attempt TO Assassinate. ,

Warsaw. June 29.-The news of
the revolt of the crew of the battle
ship Kniaz Potemken. and the arrival
of the vessel at Odessa, became
known here last night by a private
message which escaped the censor
The news spread rapidly and meet
ings of the socialists were quickly
called which turned into jollihcation
gatherings.
A third attempt TO assassinate the
chief OF police of Czenstochau was
made last night. when bomb was
thrown AT the Official as he was rid
ing through the streets. The horses
were blown to pieces and the vehicle
wrecked The coachman was badly
injured but the police chief escaped
injury.