The champion. (Arcadia, Fla.) 1895-1911, 1906-05-24

call her by m names. Presently In
perfect foam Of passion he said, or,
rather, spat out:
mo wonder Masouda the Spy, that
after hiring me to do your evil work
you take the part Of these Christian
dogs against a true believer, you child
Of Al-Je-balp
Instantly the woman seemed to stlff.
on like snake about to strike.
"Who is hep she said coldly. do
you mean the lord-who kllsT And
she looked at hlm-a terrible look.
At that glance all the anger seemed
to go out Of the man.
Your pardon, Widow Masouda' he
said. II forgot that you are Chris
tian and naturally side with Chris.
tians."
She gave him the money. adding IN
her quiet voice:
go, and II you love life keep better
watch over your words"
Then the porter went, and II came
into Wulf's mind that their strange
hostess had powers not possessed by
innkeepers in England When she had
watched him through the gate Masou.
da turned to them and said IN French.
Forgive me, but here In Beirut these
saracen porters are extortionate espe-
cially toward us Christians. Well, you
are to pay me a good price and you
shall have my best room while II
pleases you to honor me with your
company. All, your baggagel You do
not wish to leave 1t. Slave, come
here"
With startling suddenness the Nu-
bian who had led away the mule ap.
peared and took up some Of the pack
ages Then she led them down pas.
sage into large, sparsely furnished
room with high windows, In which
were two beds laid on the cement
floor and asked them II 1t pleased
them.
They said, yes; 1t will serve"
"Have no fear for your baggage.
Were you as rich as you say you are
poor and as noble as you say you are
humble both 1t and you are safe In
the Inn Of the widow Masouda, o my
guests. But how are you namedT
"Peter and John"
Remember the pilgrim with the line
Of white hair Is Peter"
"You need It to distinguish you apart,
who, suppose, are twins. Let me
see, Peter has line Of white hair and
gray eyes. John has blue eyes. John
also is the Egeater warrior, II a pilgrim
can be warrior Look at his muscles.
But Peter thinks the more. 1t would
be hard for a woman to choose between
Peter and John, who must both Of
them be hungry, so go to prepare
their food"
"A strange hostess" said Wulf, laugh
ing, when she had left the room, "but
like her, though she netted us so
finely"
Then they undid their baggage and
having taken from 1t clean garments,
washed themselves after their long
Journey with the water that had been
placed ready for them In great Jars.
This, indeed, they needed, for on that
crowded dromon there was little chance
of washing. BY the time they had
clothed themselves afresh, putting OH
their shirts OF mail beneath their tunlcs'
the Nubian came and led them to an
other room, large and lighted with high
set lattices, where cushions were piled
upon the foe. round rig that also
was laid upon tine noor. Motloning
them to be seated on the cushions, he
went away to return again presently
accompanied by Masouda bearing dishes
upon brass platters These she placed
before them, bidding them eat,
While they ate and drank she asked
them what were their plans and how
long they wished to stay In Beirut
They answered that for the next few
days they had none. as they needed to
rest to see the town and Its neighbor-
hood and to buy good horses. Masoudn
asked whittier they wished to ride on
horses
"Out yonder," said wulf, waving his
band toward the mountains. 1--WE de-
sire to look upon the cedars Of Lebanon
and its great hills before we go on to-
ward Jerusalem"
"Cedars of Lebanon she replied,
"That is scarcely safe for two men
alone. for in those mountains are many
wild beasts and wilder people who rob
and KILL Moreover, the lord Of those
IA. M II