Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-08-16

wooden shutters Of the win
IA dow behind them, and down
into the room leaped a long,
1.-THE figure, holding an ax aloft. Be
fore Sir Andrew could turn to see
whence the sound came that AK dealt
him n fearful blow between the shout
ders which, although the rlnged mail
remained unshorn. shattered his spine
beneath. Down he fell. rolled on to his
back and lay there, still able to speak
and without pain, but helpless az a
child, for he was paralyzed, and never
more would move hand or foot or head.
In the silence that followed he spoke
in a heavy voice. letting his eyes rest
upon the man who had struck him
down.
"A knightly blow. truly; one worthy
for Paynim pay. Traitor to God and
man, who have eaten my bread and
now slaughter me like an OK on my
hearthstone, may your W end be
even worse, and at the hands Of those
you serve"
The palmer Nicholas, for 1t was he,
although he no longer wore the palm.
er's robe, skunk away muttering and
was lost among the crowd in the pas
sage. Thon, with a sudden and a bitter
cry, Rosamund swooped forward, az q
bird swoops. snatched up the sword her
sire would never lift again and. setting
it's hilt upon the floor, cast herself for
-orJ I,,t tie ,ptnt na,-nr fot,cGnI har
breast. for the cmir sprang swiftly and
struck the steel aside; then, as she fell,
caught her in his arms.
Lady" he said, loosing her very
gently, Allah does not need you vet.
l have told you that 1t is not fated.
Now will you pass me your word, for,
being of the blood of Salah-ed-din and
Darcy. you, too, cannot lie, that nei-
Their now nor afterward you will at
tempt to harm yourself? If not. l must
bind you, which l am loath to do. 1t is
a :acrilege to which l pray you will
not force me-
promise. Rosamund," said the hol.
low voice of her father. "and go to full
fill your fate. Self murder is n crime,
and the man is right. 1t Is decreed. I
bid you promise"
81 obey and promise" said Rosa
mund. 1T is your hour, my lord Has.
an"
He bowed deeply and answered:
Il am satisfied and henceforth we are
your servants. Princess, the night air
is bitter. You cannot travel thus. In
which chamber are your garmentsT"
She pointed with her finger. A man
took a taper and. accompanied by two
emily with their arms full of all the ap-
parel they could find.
Princess" said Hassan, bowling,
my master, your uncle, sent you GER
tain jewels of no mean value. Is it your
wish that they should accompany you:"
Without lifting her eyes from her dy-
ing fathers face Rosamund answered
heavily:
"Where they are, there let them blde.
What have l to do with jewels:"
Your will is my law" he said, land
others will be found for you. Princess,
al ii Goty. NC al yOuA RlCAouLC.
MY pleasure? o God. my pleas
ure:" exclaimed Rosamund in the same
drear voice, still staring at her father,
who lay before her on the ground.
II cannon help It," said Hassan, an
swering the question in her eyes, and
there was grief in his tone. HE would
not come; he brought it on himself,
though in truth l wish that accursed
Frank had not struck so shrewdly. II
you ask it, we will bear him with you;
but, lady, it is idle to hide the truth.
He is sped. l have studied medicine,
and l know"
NAY" said Sir Andrew from the
floor. Leave me here. Daughter, we
must part awhile. AS / stole his child
from Ayoub, so Ayoub's son steals my
child from me. Daughter, cling to the
faith-that we may meet again.
ITO the DEATH" she answered.
BE comforted," said Hassan. HAS
not Salah-ed din passed his word that,
except her own will or that of Allah
should change her heart. a cross wor.
shipper she may live and die? Lady,
for your own sake as well as ours let
this sad farewell be brief. BECOME,
my servants, taking these dead and
wounded with you. There are things
II is not fitting that common eyes
should see."
They obeyed, and the three of them
rrlua,neu alone together. Then Rosa.
mund knelt down beside her father.
and they whispered into each others
ears. 1t would seem that they found
some kind Of hope and consolation, Il
least when Rosnmund kissed aim for
the last time Sir Andrew smiled and
said:
Eyes, yes. 1t may all be for the best.
God will guard you, and his will be
done. But l forgot. Tell me, daugh-
ter, which,"
Again she whispered into his ear,
and when he had thought a moment
he answered:
Maybe you are right. I think that
Is wisest for all. And now Oh the
three Of you-aye, and on your chill.
dren's children's c~hildren-let my bless.
ing rest, as rest ii shall"
Then his eyes fixed themselves upon