The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-05-05


souls" Then he spoke with Wulf and
added AS to your second question,
whether we should bide here in chains.
II is one that our lady Rosamund must
answer for we are sworn to her serv-
tee. 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
brethren, who We're not allowed to
touch her hand, bowed to her, devour-
Ing her face with eager eyes.
~GreefIng, my uncTe," size said to the
sultan, land to you, my cousins, greet
ing also. What is your pleasure with
mer'
Saladin motioned to her to be seated
and babe Goodwin set out the case,
which he did very clearly, ending:
us 1t 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 beg
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 woman? l have said"
"Such words as we expected from
you, being what you are" exclaimed
Goodwin, while Wulf nodded his head in
assent and added:
I Sultan, we ask your safe conduct to
lJerusalem and leave this lady in your
Icharge, relying on your plighted word
Ito do no violence to her faith and to
protect her person"
"My safe conduct you have" replied
Saladin, land my friendship also. Nor.
indeed, should i have thought well of
you had you decided otherwise. Now,
,henceforth we are enemies in the eyes
of all men, and l shall strive to STAY
You as you will strive to STAY me, but
as regards this lady. have no fear.
What 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. SIS
It given to you to read the future and
the DEGREES of God?''
~ should have said" answered Sal
adm, "'Whom you will see no more il
I am able to keep you apart Ca, you
{ pDmplain who, both of you, have re-
fused to take her as a wlfe?"
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 1
think that she will not blame u.s."
"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 faith that you call
accursed. Let me go, l beseech you,
In care of these my kinsmen."
"And your lovers" said Saladin bit
terly. 'Niece, it cannot be. l love you
well, but did 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 l be-
lieve that dream. oh, everything that
my empire can give is at your feet, but
here you stay until the dream be ac-
complished.''
Until the dream be accomplished 2"
said Rosamund, catching at the words.
"Then, when 1t is accomplished, shall 1
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 decree. Take note. my cous-
ms, 1t Is a decree and you, Prince Has
san, remember it also. Oh, pray, with
oil my soul l pray, that 1t was no 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. know
not. Now go. my cousins; but. If 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
veil before her face that she might hide
her tears.
Then Goodwin and Wulf stepped to
where she stood by the throne of Sala-
din, bent the knee before her. and, TAX
ing her hand, kissed it in farewell nor
did the sultan say them nay, but when
she was gone and the brethren were
gone he turned to the emir Hassan and
to the great imaum, who had sat silent
all this while, and said:
"Now tell me. you who are old and
wise, which of those men does the lady
love? Speak, Hassan, you who know
her WELL"
But Hassan shook his head. "One
or the other. Both or neither. I know
not" he answered. "Her counsel ia
100 close for me-"
Then Saladin turned to the imaum-
cunning. silent man.
when both the infidels are about to
die before her face, as / still hone to
see them do, we may learn the answer:
. but, unless she wills 1t, never before"
he replied. and the sultan noted his
saying.
Next morning, having been warned
that they would pass there by Masou-
At, Rosamund, watching through the
ttice of one Of her palace windeAs.,
Wv the brethren go by. They were
fy,fIx- ory,,aI ond