Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-08-30

lookeu AT each other; then,
moving to the center of the
chamber, where they thought
that none would hear them, they began
to speak in low voices and in English.
Tell you your tale first, Rosamund,"
said Goodwin.
She told it as shortly as she could.
Then Goodwin spoke and told her
theirs. Itosamund heard it and asked
a question almost in a whisper:
why does that beautiful dark eyed
woman befriend you?"
II do not know answered Goodwin,
unless it is because of the accident of
my having saved her from the lion."i
Rosamund looked at him and smiled
a little. and Wulf smiled also. Then
she said:
BLESSINGS be on that lion and all its
tribe! l pray that she may not soon
forget the deed, for it seems that our
lives hang upon her favor. Oh, that
we could escape this place."
IAN eel in an osier trap has more
chance of freedom" said Wulf gloom.
lly. ACt uS at IcdSl Dc luhIlhIul lndI
we are Gagged together-for how long,
wonder?"
AS he spoke Masouda appeared, at
tended by waiting ONE and. bowling
to Rosamund, said:
ut is the will Of the master, lady,
that / lead you to the chambers that
have been made ready for you, there to
rest until the hour Of the feast. Fear
not; you shall meet your brethren then.
You knights have leave. If it so pleases
you, to exercise your horses In the gar.
dens."
she means that we must CO." NUT.
tered Goodwin, adding aloud, Farewell,
sister, until tonight"
So they parted, unwillingly enough
In the courtyard they found theil
horses, also a mounted escort of foul
fierce looking fedais and an officer
When they were in the saddle this
man, m%otiOning to them to follow him
passed by Ill archway out Of the court
yard into the gardens. Hence ran q
broad road strewn with sand, along
which they began to gallop. This road
followed the gulf which encircled the
citadel and inner town Of Masyaf. Or
they went, the gulf always on theil
right hand. Thrice they passed round
the city thus, the last time by them,
selves, for Ii captain and the fedais
were far outstripped. Indeed. it was
not until they had %unsaddled Flame
and Smoke in their stalls that these
appeared, squirting their foaming horses
Taking no heed Of them, the brethren
thrust aside the grooms, dressed theil
steeds down, fed and watered them
About the hour of sunset the women
servants came and led them to the
bath, where the black slaves washed
and perfumed them, clothing them in
fresh robes above their armor.
When they came out the sun was
down, and the women, bearing torches
In their hands, conducted them to
great and gorgeous hall, which they had
not seen before, built of fretted stone
and having a carved and painted roof
On the floor of this hall, each seated
upon his cushion beside low tables in
A"AN Nith PSoli' " 'hC SuCSt5, Il uuu
dred or more, all dressed in white robes
on which the red dagger was blazened
and all as silent as though they were
asleep.
When the brethren reached the place
the left them, and servants
with gold chains round their necks es
cOrted them to a dais in the middle Of
the hall. where were many cushions, as
vet unoccupied, arranged in u semi
circle, Of which the center was a divar
higher and more gorgeous than the rest
Here places were pointed out to then
opposite the divan. and they took theiI
stand by them. They had moi long t.
wait, for presently there was a sound
Of music and. heralded by troops OF
singing women, the lord Sinan, clad
now in his blood red festal robe, ap
preached.
Around him marched four sla YES
black as ebony, each OF whom held q
flaming torch OH high, while behind
followed the two gigantic guards who
had stood sentry over him when he sal
under the canopy Of justice. As hi
advanced down the hall every man II
1t rose and Frustrated himself md &C
remained until his lord was seated
save only the two brethren. Settling
himself among the cushions at one enc
Of the divan. he wsved his hand
whereon the feasters, and with then
Goodwin and Wulf. sat themselves
down.
Now there vas a pause, while Sinar
glazed along the hall impatiently