Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-09-13

saladln haned his head upon hts
hand and looked Mt them with dlsap-
pointed eyes, yet not unktndly.
Now I have ono more thing to say
to you. Tint Frank, Prince Arnnt Of
Karnk, whom you call Reginald dc
Chatjllon-accursed DO his namol"--
and be snat upon the ground.-"has
once more broken the peace between
me and the king Of Jerusalem, slaush-
tering my merchants and stealing my
goods. will suffer this shame no
more, and very shortly I unfurl my
standards, which shall not be folded
up again until they float upon the
mosque Of Omar and from every tow.
err top In Palestine. Your people are
doomed. l, Yusuf salah-ed-din," and
he rose as he said the words, his very
beard bristling with wrath, declare
the holy war aud will sweep them 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 p~risonersf"
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 in chains,
IL is one that our lady Rosamund must
answer. for we are sworn to her serv-
ice. We demand to see the Princess Of
Baalbec."
"Send for her, emir," said Saladin
to the prince Hassan, who bowed and
departed.
A while later ROsamund came, look
ing beautiful but. as they saw when she
threw back her veil, very white and
weary. She bowed to Saladin. and the
touch her hand. bowed to her, devour.
ing her face with eager eyes.
Greeting. my uncle" she said to the
sultan, land to you, my cousins, greet
ing also. What is your pleasure with
me?"
Saladin motioned to her to be seated
and babe Goodwin set out the case,
which he did very clearly, ending:
rs 1t your wish, Rosamuni that we
stay In this court as prisoners or go
forth to fight with the Franks in the
great wal that is to be?"
Rosamund looked at them awhile,
then answered:
ITO whom were you sworn the first?
Was it to the service of our Lord or to
the service of a woman? ! lfave said"
"Such words as we expected from
you, being what you are" exclaimed
Goodwin, while Wulf nodded his head in
assent and added:
Sultan, we ask your snfe 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" replied
Saladin, "and my friendship also. Nor,
indeed, should l have thought we'll Of
you had you decided otherwise. Now,
henceforth we are enemies in the eyes
of all men, and shall strive to Stay
you as you will strive to Stay me, but
as regards this lady, have no fear.
What I have promised shall be fulfill
ed. Bid her farewell, whom you will
see no more"
"Who taught your lips to say such
words, o sultan" asked Goodwin. as
1t given to you to read the future and
the DEGREES Of God?"
II should have said." answered Sal
adm, "'Whom you will see no more If
l am able to keep you apart Can you
complain who, both Of you, have re-
fused to take her as a wife?"
Here Rosamund looked up wonder.
ing, and Wulf broke in;
Tell her the price. Tell her that she
was asked 10 we'd either Of us who
would bow the knee to Mohnmmed, and
to be the head of his hArem, and I
think that she will not t6ame us"
Never would | have spoken again
to him who answered otherwise" ex-
claimed Rosamund, and Saladin frown-
ed at the words. 'Oh, my uncle" she
went on. you have been kind to me
and raised me high. but | do not seek
this greatness. nor are your ways my
ways, who am of n faith that you call
%nccursed. Let me -. l beseech you,
In care Of these my kinsmen."
And your lovers" said Saladin bit.
terly. "Niece, it cannot be. l love you
we'll, but did I know even that your
life must pay the price of your So
journ here, here you still should stay,
since, as my dream told me, on you
hang the lives of thousands, and I be-
lieve that dream. oh, everything that
my empire can give is ut your feet. but
here you stay until the dream be ac-
com%plished."
Until the dream be Accomplishment
said Rosamund. catching at the words.
Then. when 1t Is accomplished, shall /
be free?"
Aye" answered the sultan; free to
come or to go, unless you attempt es-
cape, for then you know your certain
DOOM"
ut Is a decree. Take note. my cous.
ins, 1t Is a decree, and you. Prince Has
san, remember it also. Oh, l pray, with
all my soul l pray, that 1t was 10 ly-
ing spirit who brought you that dream,
my uncle, though how l shall bring
peace, who hitherto have brought moth
Ing except war and %bloodshed, 1 know
not. Now go, my cousins; but, II you
will, leave me Masouda. who has no
other friends. Go, and take my love
and blessing with YOU"
So spoke Rosamund and threw her