Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-10-04
Ladies, why should I mock my doom
nth these BRIGHT oor,nanta3.

Now all was ready, and the door
opened and she stepped through It, n
radiant thing, glitterng in the lamp.
light. Then trumpets blew and her
aid cried: Way! Way there! Way
for the high sovereign lady and Prln-
cess of Baalbecv'
Thus, followed by the train of hon
orable women who attended her, Rosa.
mund glided forward to the courtyard
and once more bent the knee to Sala-
din; then stood, lost in wonder.
Again the trumpets blew, and on the
right herald cried WAY! Way
there! Way for the brave and noble
Frankish knight, Sir Wulf Darcy"
Lo Attended by emlrs and notables,
Wulf came forth, clad in splendid ar
NOR inlaid with gold, wearing on his
shoulder mantle set with gems and
on his breast the cleaning star Of the
luck Of Hassan. To Rosamund he
strobe and stood by her. his hands
resting on the hit Of his long sword.
Princess" said Saladin, II give you
back your rank and titles because you
have shown a noble henri, and you, Sir
Wulf, l honor also as best l may, but
to my decree hold. Let them go to-
gether to the drinking of the cup Of
their destiny"
Again the trumpets blew and the
aeralds called, and they led them to
the doors of the chapel which at their
knocking were thrown wide. From
| within came the sclnd OF womeu's
voices singing, but it was no sad song
they sang.
THE sisters Of the order are still
there said Rosamund to Wulf, land
would cheer US Oh our road to heaven"
"Perchance," he answered II know
not. I am amazed"
At the door the company Of Moslcms
left them, but they crowded round the
entrance as though to watch what pass
ed. Now down the long aisle walked a
single white robed figure. 1t was the
abbess
What shall We do, mother?" said
Rosamund to her.
Follow me, both of you" she said.
and they followed her through the nave
to the altar rails, and at sign from
her knelt down.
Now they saw that on either side Of
the altar stood Christian priest. The
| priest to the rght-it was the bishop
Egbert-came forward and began to
| read over them the marriage service Of
| their faith.
They'd wed us ere we die" whis-
pered Rosamund to Nulf.
80 be it," he answered. 81 am glad"
And I also, beloved" she whispered
back.
The service went oD-as in dream
the service went on, while the white
robed sisters sat in their carven chairs
and watched. The rings that were
| handed to them had been interchangcd.
Wulf had taken Rosamund to wife,
ROsamund had taken Wulf to husband
till death did them part.
Then the old bishop withdrew to the
| altar and another hooded monk came
forward and uttered over them the
benediction In a deep and sonorous
voice, which stirred their hearts most
| strangely, as though some echo reach
ed them from beyond the grave. lie
held his hands above them in blessing
and looked upward so that his hood
fell back and the light Of the altar lamp
fell upon his face.
1t was the face of Goodwin, and on
his head was the tonsure of monk
| Once more they stood before Salndin,
and now their train was swelled by the
abbess and sisters Of the Holy Cross.
"Sir Wulf Darcy said the sultan,
land you. Rosamund, my niece, Prin-
cess of Baalbec, the dregs of your
cup, sweet or bitter or bttersweet.
are drunk; the doom which | decreed
for you is accomplished. and, accord
ing to your own rites. you are man and
wife till Allah sends upon you that
death which l withhold Because you
showed mercy upon those doomed to
die and were the means of mercy.
also give you mercy and with it my
love and honor. Now bde here, If
you will, in my freedom and enjoy your
rank and wealth, or 20 hence. II you
will, and live out your lives across the
]
you and turn your souls to light. This
is the decree of YuSuf Salah-ed-din
commander of the faithful. conqueror
and caliph of the east"
Trembling, full of JOY and wonder
they knelt before him and kissed his
hand. Then, after Il few swift words
between them, Rosamund spoke;
| Sire, that God whom you have in
voked, the God Of Christian and OF
Moslem, the God of all the world
though the world worship him in many
ways and shapes, bless and reward
you for this royal deed. Yet listen tc
our petition. 1t may be that many
of our faith still lie unransomed In
Jerusalem. Take my lands and gems
and let them he valued and their price
given to pay for the liberty of some
poor slaves. 1t Is our marriage Of
fering. AS for us, we will get us &c
our own country"
$50 be It," answered Saladin. "Tht
lands will take and devote the sum OF
them as you desire-yes. to the last
bezant. The jewels also shall be val
ued, but give them back to yon as
my wedding dover. TO these nuns fur
ther | grant permission to bide here in
Jerusalem to nurse the Christian sick
unframed and unmolested, If so they
will, and this because they sheltered
you. IIo, minstrcls and heralds, lead