The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-04-12

"Fare,oell. Flame. and Jarctocll, Smoke -
opening the door of their room they
met Masouda, apparently about to
knock upon it.
WHITTIER go you, friends Peter and
John, and so early?" she asked, looking
at them with a smile
'To visit our horses and pay your
uncle, the Arab, his money" answered
Wulf.
Indeed: thought saw you do the
first an hour ago, and as for the second
it is useless. Son Of the Sand has
gone"
Gone! With the horses?"
MAY, he has left them behind"
Did you pay him, then, lady?" asked
Goodwin.
1t was easy to see that Masouda was
pleased at this courteous word.
why do you call me lady Sir God
win Darcy. who am but an innkeeper,
for whom sometimes men find hard
names? Well. perhaps 1 was a lady
once before ! became an innkeeper.
thank you" Then, stepping back foot
or two toward the door, which she had
closed behind her. she made a curtsey
so full Of dignity and grace that any
who saw it must be sure that, wherever
she might dwell, Masouda was not bred
in inns.
Goodwin returned the bow, dofing his
cap. Their eyes met, and in hers he
learned that he had no treachery to
fear from this woman, whatever else
he might have to fear. Indeed, from
that moment, however black and doubt
full seemed the road. he would have
trusted his life to her, for this was
the message written there, a message
which she meant that he should read.
Yet at his heart he felt terribly afraid.
Wulf. who saw something of all this
and guessed more. also was afraid. To
his fancy that look was like fash of
lightning upon dark night.
Now the widow Masouda was say
ing in her usual somewhat hard voice:
mo; did not pay him. At the last
he would take no money; but, having
passed it, neither would he break his
word So l made bargain with him
on behalf of both Of you. 1t is this
that if you and these horses should
live and the time comes when you have
no more need of them you will cause
it to be cried in the market place Of
whatever town is nearest to you by
the voice of the public crier that for
six days they stand to be returned to
him who lent them. Then If he comes
not they can be sold, which must not
be sold or given away to any one
without this proclamation. Do you
consent?"
aye" answered both Of them, but
wulf added, "Only we should like to
know why the Arab Son of the Sand,
who is your kinsman, trusts his glo-
rious horses to us in this fashion"
Your breakfast is served. my
guests" answered Masouda in tones
that rang like the clash of metal, SO
steely were they. Wherein Wulf shook
his head and followed her into the eat
ing room, which was now empty.
Most of that day they spent with
their horses. In the evening, this time
unaccompanied by Masouda, they rode
out for @ little way, though rather
doubtfully, since they were not sure
lndt tHSSe DedStS, WHICH Secueu W DC
almost human. would not take the bits
between their teeth and rush with
them back to the desert whence they
came. But, although from time to
time they looked about them for their
master, the Arab, whinnying as they
looked, this they did Eot do or show
vice Of any kind. Indeed, two ladies'
palfreys could not have been more
quiet.
The morrow was Sunday, and, at
tended by Masouda's slave. without
whom she would not suffer them to
walk in the town. the brethren went to
mass In the big church which once had
bsen mosque. wearing pilgrim robes
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