Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1906-05-28

to lead you to the bath and clothe you. Nav leave your hauherk Here the faith of Salah cd-din and of his serv- ants is your best arlnor.'
 "Still. 1 think that we will take them said Goodwin. flor faith is a poor defense against thc daggers of these assassi,s wlio GwelI not so far away
 True" answered Hassan; T had for gotten. So thus they departed.
 An hour later they We're led to the hall. where presently came EosaInund. and with her Masouda aud Hassan. She was dressed in the rich robes of an eastern lady, but the gems with which she had been adorned as the bride elect of Al-jehal were gone. and when she lifted her veil the brethren saw that. though her face was still some what Iallid. her strength had come back to fer sad the terror had left her eyes. They sat down and ate with light hearts and q 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 ill the robes of secretaries. whom iiassan hastened to greet. When they were seated and had spoken with him awhile one of them drew forth < letter, which Hass;n, touching his forehead with if in token of respect. gave 10 RosaInund- She broke it's seal and, seeing that 1t was ill Arabic. handed it to her cousin. saying:
 Do you read it. Goodwin, who are more learned than I.
 So he read it aloud. This was it's purport:
 70 Salah-ed-din. commander of the faith full the strong 10 aid to his niece beloved, Rose of the World Princess of Enalbec.
 Our servant. the emir Uassan. has sent us titlinas of your rescue from the power of the atcursed lord of the mountain, Sinan, and that you are now safe in our city Of EmeSa, guarded by many 1hou- sands of soldiers, and with you q woman named Masouda and your kins- men, 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 so soon as you may be fit 70 travel, knowing that here you will be received with love and honor. Also l invite your kinsrnen to accompany you, since I knew their father and would welcome knights who have done such great deeds, and the woman Masouda with them; or. if they prefer it, all three of them may return to their own lands and peoples.
 Hasten. my niece. Lady Rose of the World; hasten. for my spirit seeks you, and my eyes desire 10 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 seeky' all swered Wulf, and Goodwin nodded his head in assent.
 And you, Masouda?"
 q, lady? Oh, go also, since were ! to return yonder," and she nodded to- ward the mountains, my greeting would be one that do not wisb.''
 Do you note their words, Prince Hassan?" aeked Rosamund.
 "I expected no other," he answered, with a bow. "Only, knights. you must give me promise. It is that upon this journey you will not attempt to escape with the princess whom you have followed from oversea to rescue her out of the hand of Salah-ed-din.'
 Goodwin drew from his tunic the cross which Rosamund had left him in the hall at Steeple, and. saying, 'I swear upon this holy symbol that dur ing our journey to Damascus l will at tempt no escape with or without my cousin Rosamund," he kissed it.
 And swear the same upon my sword" added Wulf.
 "A security that I like better" said Hassan, with smile, "but in truth. knights, your word is enough for me- Then he looked at MasouGa and went on, still smiling; May, it is useless, for women who have dwelt yonder, oaths have no meaning. Lady, we must be content to watch you. since my lord has bidden yo,l t3 Eis city, which, fair and brave as yGU are to be plain. l would not have done
 That same afternoon they started for Damascus, a @"cat army Of horsenen. In it's midst, guarded by q thousand spears, RoS3muud was borne in q lit ter In fras. 9f her rode IIassan, with his yellow roIei bodygrar(l; at her side Masau!a, and behind the breth- ren, mounted upon ambIing palfreys. After them. led by slaves, came the chargers Flame and Smoke and then rank upon fst3k of turbaned Saraeens
 That evening they campel i'll the desert an3 next u4arn;lg, surrounded by wandering tribes of Bedouins. mounted on their camels, maraaed on again, sleeping that night T ti5e a cient fortress of Baalbec, viaraat garrison and people, having hpa- warned by runners of the rank and titles of Rosamrnd, came out to do her homage as their lady.
 Hearing of it. she left her litter and, mounting a splendid horse which they had sent her as a present, rode to meet them, the brethren, in full arnlor and once more bestrGing Flame and Smoke beside E2~ and a gard of Saladin's own mN u.cs beh nd, Sol' emn. turhe~. a.eA, who had beer