Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-09-20
YOU for those horses"

be known In the market places that
you seek me" And he began to turn
his horses head.
Stay" said Goodwin. what do you
know Of Masouda. your niece? Is she
with your
NAY" answered the Arab in a low
voice, but she bnde me be in n certain
garden of which you have heard, near
Ascalon. at m appointed hour to take
her away, MS she is leaving the camp
of Salah-ed-din. So thither I 60. Fare
we'll" Then with n reverence to the
yelled lady he shook his reins and de-
parted like an arrow.
Goodwin gave a sigh Of relief. II
Masouda had appointed to meet her
! uncle, the Arab, at least she must be
safe. Then he looked up to find Wulf
staring back at the woman behind him
| and %reprovcd him, saying that he must
keep TO the spirit Of the bargain as
well as to the letter, and that IL he
might not speak he must not look
either.
THAT is a pity" answered Wulf,
"for though she is so tied up, she must
he a tail and noble lady by the way
she sits her horse. The horse, too, Is
noble. own cousin or brother to Smoke,
l think. Perhaps she will sell It when
we get to Jerusalem"
Then they rode On and reached the
gate Of Jerusalem, which was crowded
with folk awaiting the return OF their
ambassadors They all passed through,
and the embassy was escorted thence
by the chief people. most Of the multi
tude following them to know II they
brought peace or war.
Now Goodwin and Wulf stared at
ench other, wondering whittier they
were to 60 and where to find the rela-
tives of their yelled companion, Of
whom they saw nothing. Out Of the
street opened an archway, and beyond
this archway was a garden, which
seemed to be deserted. They rode into
it to take counsel.
Jerusalem is reached, and we must
speak to her now" said Wulf, "if only
to ask her whittier she wishes to be
taken.''
Goodwin nodded. and they wheeled
their horses round.
Lady" he said in Arabic, I'VE have
fulfilled our charge. Be pleased to tell
us where are those kindred to whom
we must lead you"
Here" answered a soft voice.
Then the lady let slip her cloak,
though not her veil, revealing the robe
beneath.
by st. Peter said Goodwin. II
know the broidery on that dress. Ma
SCUBA. Say. is it you, MasoudaT'
AS he spoke the veil fell also, and 10!
before them was n woman like to Ma
SCUBA and yet not MaSouda. The hair
was dressed like hers, the ornaments
and the necklace made Of the claws of
the lion which Goodwin killed were
hers. the skin was Of the same rich hue,
check, but as the head was ben they
could not see her eyes. Suddenly. with
a little moan, she lifted 1t and looked
at them.
"Rosamund. 1t is Eosamund her.
self" gasped Wulf. "Rosamund dis
guised as Masouda.." And he fell rath-
err than leaped from his saddle and ran
to her. murmuring, God, I thank
thee
Now she seemed to faint and slid
from her horse into his arms and lay
there a moment.
Yes" said Rosamund. freeing her
self, ut is I and no other. yet l rode
with you all this way and neither OF
you knew me-"
Have we eyes that we can pierce
wells and WOODEN garments" asked
Wulf Indignantly, but Goodwin said in
a strange, strained voice:
You are Rosamund disguised as
Masouda. Who. then, was that woman
to whom l babe farewell before Sala-
din while the headsman awaited me
a yelled woman who wore the robes
and gems of Rosamund:"
81 know not, Goodwin" she answered,
"unless it were Masouda clad in my
garments as l left her. Nor do I know
anything of this story OF the heads
man who awaited you. l th%ought-I
thought it was for Wulf that he waited
-Oh, II i IcoSh tLdl
Tell us your tale" said Goodwin
hoarsely.
at is short" she answered. after
the casting Of the lot. Of which I shall
dream to my death day, l tainted.
When l found my senses again l
thought that I must be mad, for there
before me stood a woman dressed in
my garments, whose face seemed like
my face, yet not the same.
"'IIave no fear she said. Y am
Masouda, who. among many other
things, have learned how TO play a
part. Listen. There is no time to lose.
| have been ordered to leave the camp.
Even now my uncle the Arab waits
without with two swift horses. You,
princess, will leave In my place. Look
You wear my robes and my face al
most and are of my height. and the
man who guides you will know no diff.
ference. | have seen to that. for. al.
though n soldier Of SAlah-ed-din, he is
of my tribe. l will go with YOU to the
door and there bid you farewell before
the eunuchs and the guards with weep
Ing, and who will guess that Masouda
Is the Princess of Banlbpc and that the
Princess Of Baalbec is MasoudaY'
"'And whittier shall l goI' l asked.
"'My uncle. Son OF the Sand, will
give YOU over to the embassy which