The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-05-11

was done, should mete out It's reward
and do my bidding"
For moment Rosamund stared at
the boxes, then suddenly she closed her
eyes and, taking them up at hazard,
stretched out her arms, leaning for
ward over the edge of the dais. There
on calmly enough the brethren took,
each Of them, the box that was nearest
falling to Goodwin and that in her right
TO Wulf. Then she opened her eyes
again, stood still and watched.
Cousin" said Goodwin, before we
break this cord that is our chain Of
doom know well that, whatever
chances, we blame you not at ALL"
Then he began to unknot the silk
which was bound about his box. Wulf.
knowing that it would tell all the tale,
did not trouble himself as yet, but
looked around the room, thinking that,
whether he lived or died. never would
he see a stranger sight. Every eye in
1t was fixed upon the box in Godwin's
hand. Even Saladiu stared rs though
1t held his own destiny. No, not every
one, for those of the old imaum were
fixed upon the face of Rosamund.
which was piteous to see, for all it's
beauty had left It, and even her part
ed lips were ashy. Masouda alone
still stood upright and unmoved, as
though she watched some play, but he
noted that her rich hued cheek grew
pale and that beneath her robe her
hand was pressed upon her heart Tie
silence was intense.
Trouble enough about one mans
life In land where lives are cheap
exclaimed Wulf, thinking aloud, and
at the sound of his voice nll men start
ed as though it had Numbered sudden
ly in summer sky. Then with q laugh
he tore the silk about his box asunder
with his strong fingers and, breaking
the seal, shook out its contents. Lo,
there on the floor lay the enchanted
star of Hassan.
Masouda saw, and the color crept
also, and nature was too strong for her,
for in one bitter cry the truth broke
from her lips at last:
Not Wulf! Not Wulfv' she walled.
and sank back senseless into Masou-
da's arms.
"Now, sire" said the old imaum with
n chuckle, you know which Of those
two the lady loves
Yes, /, know now" said Saladin,
land am glad to know, for the mat
ter has vexed me much"
Int -rlP In Ja1
ment, flushed with JOY as the truth
came home to him.,
This star is we'll named The
Luck" he said as, bending down, he
took 1t from the floor and fastened 1t
to his cloak above his heart, nor do
hold 1t dearly earned"
So that strange scene ended.
The afternoon drew toward evening,
and Goodwin stood before Saladin in his
private chamber.
"What seek you now?" said the SUI
tan sternly.
"a boom" answered Goodwin. "Mv
brother is doomed to die before night
fall. ask to die instead of him.
"Why, Sir Godwin?"
"For two reasons, sire. AS you learn.
ed today. at length the riddle is an.
swered. 1t is Wulf who is beloved or
the lady Rosamund. and therefore to
kill him would be a crime. Further, it
In and not he whom the eunuch heard
bargaining with the captain Abdullnh
in the tent. I swear It,"
Saladin pulled at his beard, then
answered:
"If this is to be so, time is short, Sir
Goodwin. What farewells have you to
make? You say that you would speak
with my niece Rosamund? Nay, the
princess you shall not see. and indeed
cannot, for she lies swooning in her
chamber. Do you desire to meet your
brother for the last timc:"
mo, sire, for then he might learn the
truth and
Refuse this sacrifice, Sir Goodwin.
which perchance will be scarcely to his
liking"
II wish to say goodby to Masouda
she who is waiting woman to the prip
cess"
THAT you cannot do, for know l
mistruSt this Masouda and believe that
she was ut the bottom of your plot. l
have dismissed her from the person of
the princess and from my camp. which
she is to leave-if she has not already
left-with some Arabs who are her
kin"
Then" said Goodwin. with sigh, 81
desire only to see Eghert the bishop,
that he may shrlve me according to
our faith and make note of my last
wishes"
Good; he shall be sent to you. l
accept your statement that you are the
guilty man and not Sir Wulf and take
your life for his. Leave me now, who
have greater matters on my mind. The