The San Francisco call., 1905-01-29

on yours, or If 1 took these think that
my marriage would lack blessings. Nor,
indeed, would Rosamund wish to wed
a servant of your prophet, who if it
pleased him might take other wives"
Saladin leant his head upon his hand
and looked at them with disappointed
eyes. yet not unkindly.
THE knight Lozelle was a cross-wor-
SHIPPER he said, ''but you two are very
different from the knight Lozelle, who
accepted the faith when it was offered
to him"
ITO win your trade" said Goodwin,
bitterly.
'T know not" answered Saladin,
though it is true the man seemed to
have been a Christian among the
Franks, who here was follower of the
prophet At least he is dead at your
hands, and though he sinned against
me and betrayed my niece to Sinan,
peace be with his soul. Now l have
one more thing to say to you. That
Frank, Prince Arnat of Karak, whom
you call Reginald de Chatilion7-ac-
cursed be his namel-" and he spat
upon the ground--''has once more 4brok-
en- the peace between me and the King
of Jerusalem, slaughtering my mer-
chants and stealing my goods. will
suffer this shame no more, and very
shortly / will unfurl my standards,
until they float upon the mosque or
Omar and from every tower-top in
Palestine. Your people are doomed l,
Yusuf Salah-ed din" and he rose as he
said the words. his very beard brist-
ling with wrath, declare the Holy
War. and will sweep them down to the
sea. Choose now, you brethren. Do
you fight for me or against me2 Or
will you give up your swords and bide
here as my prisoners?" -l8l
I'VE are the servants of the cross"
answered Goodwin, "and cannot lift
steel against it and thereby lose our
souls" Then he spoke with Wulf, and
added, "As to your second question,
whether we should bide here IL chains.
it is one that our Lady Rosamund must
answer, for we are sworn to her serv-
ice. We demand to see the Princess of
Baalbec." 15T
Send for her, Emir," said Saladin
TO the Prince Hassan, who bowed ana
departed.
A while later Rosamund came.
looking beautiful. but, as they saw
when she threw back her veil, very
white and weary. She bowed to Sa-
ladin, and the brethren, who were
not allowed to touch her hand, bowed
to her, devouring her face with eager
eyes. .' ~.
Greeting, my uncle" she said. to
the Sultan, "and to you. my cousins,
greeting also. What is your pleasure
with me-" tf
Saladin motioned to her to be seat
ed and bade Goodwin set out the case,
which he did very clearly, ending:.
Us it your wish, Rosamund, that
we stay in this court as prisoners, or
go forth to fight with the Franks. IN
the great war that is to- be?"
Rosamund looked at them awhile.
then answered:
ITO whom were you sworn the
first? Was 1t to the service OF our
Lord or to the service of woman?
I have said" ~
you, being what you are exclaimed
Goodwin. while Wulf nodded his head
in assent and added:
Sultan, we ask your safe conduct
to Jerusalem, and leave this lady in
your charge, relying on your plighted
word to do no violence to her faith
and to protect her person"
My safe conduct you have" re-
piled Saladin. and my friendship
also. Nor. indeed. should / have
thought well of you had you decided
otherwise. Now, henceforth we are
enemies in the eyes of all men and /
shall strive to slay you. as you will
Ssrye isay Saya to say N me- fea But ay whsg tSs
promised shall be fulfilled. Bid her
farewell, whom you will see no more,"
WHO taught your lips to say such
words, 0 Sultan?" asked Goodwin. rs
1t given to you to read the future and
the DEGREES of God?"
IT should have said," answered Sa-
ladin, whom you will see no more
If / can keep you apart Can you
complain, who, both of you, have re-
fused to take her as wife 2" e 81.
Here Rosamund looked up wonder
ing, and Wulf broke in: .
Tell her the price. Tell her that
she was asked to wed either Of US who
would bow the knee to Mohammed
and to be the head of his harem, and
I think she will not blame u.s."
Never would 1 have spoken again
to him who answered otherwise" ex-
claimed Rosamund. and Saiadin frown-
went on, you have been kind to me
and raised me high, but I do not seek
this greatness, nor are your ways my
ways, who am of a faith that you call
accursed. Let me go, beseech you,
in care of these my kinsmen."
And your lovers" said Saladin Bit
terly. Niece, 1t cannot be. love you
well, but did know even that your
life must pay the price of your soJourn
here, here you still should stay. since.
as my dream told me- on you hang the
lives Of thousands, and believe that
dream. What, then In your life, or
the lives Of these knights, or even my
life, that any or all Of them should
turn the scales against those Of thou
sands? Oh, everything that my en-
pire can give is at your feet, but here
you stay until the dream be accom-
plished, and he added. looking at the
brethren, death shall be the portion
of any who would steal you from my
hand" =.
Until the dream be accomplished?"
said Rosamund. catching at the words.
Then, when it is accomplished, shall
1 be free?" essf
Aye" answered the Sultan; free to
come or to go, unless you attempt es-
cape, for then you know your DOOM"
1T is a decree. Take note, my cous-
ins, it is a decree. And you.- Prince
Hassan, remember it also. oh! pray,
with all my soul pray, that 1t was no
lying spirit who brought you that
dream, my uncle, though how shall
bring peace, who hitherto have brought
nothing except war and bloodshed, l
know not Now go, my cousins; but,
If you will, leave me Masouda, who
has no other friends. Co. and take my
love and blessing with you-aye, and
the blessing of the saints which shall
protect you in the hour OF battle, and
bring us together again"
So spoke Rosamund and threw her