The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1906-05-26

splendid in her bearing and beautiful
to see, a prince at her stirrup and an
army at her back, that 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 thinkinGT' asked
Goodwin at her side.
THAT l would we were back among
the summer fields at Steeple," she an
swered, ''for those who are lifted high
fall low. Prince Hassan. give the cap
tains and people my thanks and bid
them be gone. l would rest
Thus for the first and last time did
Rosamund behold her ancient fief Of
Baalbec, which her grandsire, the great
Ayoub, had ruled before her.
That night there was Teasing in the
mighty, immemorial halls and singing
and minstrelsy and the dancing Of fan
women and the giving of gifts. For
Baalbec, where birth and beauty were
ever welcome, did honor to its lady.
the favored niece of the mighty Salah-
ed-din.
At dawn the next day on orders re-
ceived from the sultan they left Baai-
bee, escorted by the army and many
of the notables of the town. That same
night they passed through the gates of
the city of Damascus. Bride of the
Earth, set amid its seven streams and
ringed about with gardens, one Of the
most beautiful and perhaps the most
ancient city in the world.
Along the narrow streets, bordered
by yellow, fiat rooted 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 blue
Of the evening sky. Thus at length
they came to an open space planted
like garden, beyond which was seen a
huge and fantastic castle that HassaL
told them was the palace of Salah-ed
din. In it's courtyard they were parted
Rosamund being led away by officers
Of state, while the brethren were tax.
en- to chambers that had been prepared
where after they had bathed they were
served with food.
Scarcely had they eaten it when Has.
san appeared and babe them follow
him. Passing down various passages
and across court, they came to some
guarded doors. Next came more pas.
sages and a curtain, beyond which they
found themselves in small domed
room lit by hanging silver lamps and
paved in tessellated marbles, strewl
with rich rugs and furnished with
cushioned touches.
At a sign from Hassan the brethren
stood still in the center of the 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 far
Their side opened and through them
came a man turbaned and wrapped in
q dark robe, who stood awhile in the
shadow, gazing at them beneath the
lamps.
The man was not very tall. and slight
in build, yet about him was much
majesty, although his garb was such
as the humblest might have worn. He
came forward, lifting his head, and
they saw that his features We're small
and finely cut; that he was bearded
and beneath his broad brow shone
thoughtful. yet at times piercing. eyes
which were brown in hue. Now the
Prince Hassan sank to his knees and
touched the marble with his forehead
and, guessing that they were in the
presence Of the mighty monarch Sala-
| din, the brethren saluted in their west
ern fashion. Presently the sultan spoke
in a low, even voice to Hassan. to
whom he motioned that he should rise,
saying:
II can see that you trust these
knights, emir,' and he pointed to theii
great swords.
"Sire," was the answer, 81 trust them
as l trust myself. They are brave and
honorable men, although they be in
fidels"
The sultan stroked his beard.
aye" he said, ''infidels. 1t is a pity,
yet doubtless they worship God after
their own fashion. Noble to look OH
also, like their faIiIeT, whom l remem.
Der well, and, if all hear is true, brave
indeed. Sir knights. do you under.
stand my language?
Sufficiently to speak it. lord an.
swered Goodwin, "who have learned IL
since childhood, yet i'll enough
"Good. Then tell me, as soldiers to
soldier, what do you seek from Salah.
ed-din?"
"Our cousin, the Lady Rosamund,
vuho hu vorJr command uac cfoIou