The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-05-02

Hero In the portido Rosamund turned
her horse and received the salutations
OF the multitude as though she also
were one of the worlds rulers. In
deed, 1t seemed to the brethren watch
ing her as she sat upon the great
white horse and surveyed the shouting
bending crowd with flashing eyes,
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
queen. Yet as Rosamund sat thus tbs
rride passed from her face and her
eyes fell.
"Of what are you thinking?" asked
Goodwin at her side.
"That I would we were back among
the summer fields at Steeplc," she an
swcred, "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 resc."
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 feasting In the
mighty, immemorial halls and singing
and minstrelsy and the dancing of fair
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 Baal-
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
huge and fantastic castle that Hassan
told them was the palace Of Salah-ed-
din. In its 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 1t when Has
san. appeared and babe them follow
him. Passing down various passages
and across n 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, strewn
with rich rigs and furnished with
cushioned couches. .....-.. .....
At a sign from Hassan the brethren
stood still In the center of the room
and looked about them wondering.
Tho 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
a 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 were 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 III 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 motloned that he should rise.
saying:
81 can see that you trust these
knights, emir," and he pointed to their
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 stroled his beard.
aye" he said, "lnfidels. 1t Is pity
yet doubtless they worship God after
their own fashion Noble TO look on