The champion. (Arcadia, Fla.) 1895-1911, 1906-08-30


weeping, aud while the guard bowed
before me she blessed mo beneath her
breath. A soldier stepped forward and
sold, Follow mo, daughter OF Slnan,'
and followed him.
I'VE came to a place whore was an
Ofd Arab among some trees, and with
him two led horses. The soldier spoke
to the Arab, and gave him Masouda's
letter, which he read Then he put me
on one Of the led horses and tho SOL
der mounted tho other, and wo de-
parted at gallop All that evening
and last night we rode hard, but IN the
darkness the soldier left as, and do
not know whittier he went AZ length
we came to that mountain shoulder
and waited there, resting the horses
and eating food which the Arab had
with him, TIL we saw the embassy, and
among them two tall knights,
"'see snid the old Arab, yonder
cohre tho brethren whom you seek
See and give thanks 20 Allah and TO
Masouda, who has not lied to you and
to whom must now return
"Oh, my heart wept as though II
would burst and wept In my joy
wept and blessed God and Masouda
But the Arab, Son Of tho Sand, told
me that FOX my lifes sake | must be
silent and keep myself close yelled
aud disguised even nom you until we
reached Jerusalem, lest perhaps II they
knew me the embassy might refuse es-
cort to the Princess of Bnalbec and
niece Of saladtn.
"Then | promised and asked, What
Of MasoudaT He said that no rode
back at speed to save her Also as had
been arranged, and that was why he
did not take me to Jerusalem himself.
But how that was to be done he was
not sure as yet And,--and--you know
the rest, and here, by the grace of
God, we three are together again"
AYE" said Goodwin, ''but where is
Masouda and what VIII happen to her
who has dared to venture such plot
as thlsf Hark you, Wulf Take Rosa
mund and lodge her with some lady in
this city or, bettor stlll, place her in
sanctuary with the nuns Of the Holy
Cross, whence none win dare to drag
her. and lot her don their habit"
"Yes yes. but your Where do you
90, Godwlnf', said hts brother
az l ride back to Asoalon TO find
Masouda. For the sal1e Of ROsamund
and perhaps for my sake also Mnsou-
da has run fearful risk. Bethink
you what will be tho mood Of saladln
when Mt length he finds that she upon
whom he had built such hopes has
gone She may have given her life to
set Rosamund free 20 join US In Jeru-
salem"
Rosamund looked at Goodwin and
Goodwin looked at Rosamund, and there
was understanding In their eyes, for
now both Of them saw tho truth In oil
It's glory and all Ito horror
81 think that should 80 back also,"
said Rosamund
"ThGt shall not be" answered Wulf.
Ssaladln would kin you Cor this eight,
as he has sworn"
"That cannot be-" added Goodwin.
Shall the sacrifice Of blood be offered
IN yain2 Moreover, It Is our duty TO
prevent you Rosamund, | know not
what has CHANGED go to sea Through
life. through death. ride on till | find
Masouda and kneel TO her In homage
"And In love- exclaimed RRsamund.
"Mayhap," Goodwin answered, speak
ing more to himself than to her.
"Parewell, my llege lady and cousin
Rosamund," Goodwin said My part
is played. Now leave you IN the keep
ing of God 10 Aheaven and of Wulf on
earth. Should we meet no more my
counsel is that you two wed here IN
Jerusalem and travel back to Steeple,
there 20 live in peace II 1t may be so,
Brother Wulf, fare you well also. We
BART today for the first time who from
our birth have lived together aud loved
together and done many deed togoth-
err, some OF which we can look back
upon without shame"
i,Oh. Godwin." said Wulf tive DO
not part thus easily, Our lady here will
be safe enough among the nuns-more
safe than Gun keep her, Give me an
hour. and VIII got her there and join
you Both OF us owe a debt TO Masou-
ia, and It is not right that 1t should be
paid by you alone"
SHAY" answered Goodwin, look upon
Rosamund and think what q about to
befall this city, Can you ienve her at
snch timer"
Thep wulf dropped his head, and
trusting himself TO speak no more
words, Goodwin mounted his horse and
without 80 much as looking back rode
into the narrow street aud OUT hronsh
the gateway TIL presently no was los'