The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-04-10


noted watching them. drew near, &C
companei by a porter, who led don
key. This man without more ado
seized their baggage and, helped by
other porters, began to fasten it upon
the back of the donkey with great
rapidly, and when they would have
forbidden him pointed to the yelled
woman.
your pardon" said Goodwin to her
at length and speaking in French, but
this man
Loads up your baggage to take it
to my inn. 1t is cheap. quiet and COM
Portable, things which l heard you say
you required just now. did 1 not?" she
answered in a sweet voice. also speak
ing in good French.
Goodwin and Wulf began to discuss
what they should do. When they had
agreed that it seemed not wise to trust
themselves to the care of a strange wo-
man in this fashion they looked up to
see the donkey laden with their trunks
being led away by the porter.
TOO late to say no, fear me-" said
the woman, with laugh, 80 you must
be my guests awhile if you would not
lose your baggage. Come, after SO
long a journey you need to wash and
eat Follow me, sirs, pray you"
Then she walked through the crowd.
which they noted parted for her as she
went, to a post where a fine mule was
tied. Loosing it, she leaped to the sad
die without help and began to ride
away, looking back from time to time
to see that they were following her, as.
indeed, they must
At last the woman on the mule turn
ed through doorway in wall Of I'M
burned brick, and they found them
selves before the porch of a white,
rambling house which stood in a large
garden and was situated on the bor-
ders of the city.
Here the woman dismounted and
gave the mule to a Nubian who was
waiting; then with quick movement
she unveiled herself and turned toward
them, as though to show her beauty.
Beautiful she was; Of that there could
be no doubt She was young also
perhaps twenty-five; no more - and
very fair skinned for an eastern.
my poor house is for pilgrims and
merchants, not for famous knights, yet,
sirs, welcome you to it." she said pres
emily, scanning them out of the corners
of her eyes.
1--WE are but squires in our own coun-
try who make the pilgrimage" replied
Goodwin. For what sum each day will
you give US board and a good room to
sleep in"
"Sirs, repeat, this is but a humble
place, scarce fit for knights like you,
but If you will honor it the charge is
SO much"
1--WE are satisfied" said Goodwin.
II will settle with the porter. He
would cheat YOU" said the woman.
Then followed a wrangle five min
utes long between this curious, hand
some, still faced woman and the por
ter, who, after the eastern fashion,
dashed himself into a frenzy over the
sum she offered and at length began to
call her by ill names. Presently in a
perfect foam of passion he said, or,
rather, spat out:
mo wonder, Masouda the Spy, that
after hiring me to do your evil work
YOU take the part of these Christian
dogs against a true believer, you child
: Al-ie-balr'
Instantly the woman seemed to stiff
en- like a snake about to strike.
"Who is he?" she said coldly. do
you mean the lord-who kills?" And
she looked at him-a terrible look.
AZ that glance all the anger seemed
to 60 out of the man.
Your pardon, Widow Masouda," he
said. Il forgot that you are a Chris
tan and naturally side with Chris
tians."
She gave him the money, adding in
her quiet voice:
go, and if you love life keep better
watch over your words"
Then the porter went, and it came
into Wulf's mind that their strange
hostess had powers not possessed by
innkeepers in England. When she had
watched him through the gate Masou-
da turned to them and said in French:
Forgive me, but here in Beirut these
Saracen porters are extortionate, espe-
cially toward us Christians. Well, you
are to pay me a good price, and you
shall have my best room while 1t
pleases you to honor me with your
company. All, your baggage! You do
not wish to leave it. Slave, come
here"
With startling suddenness the Nu-
bian who had led away the mule ap-
peared and took up some of the pack
ages. Then she led them down 4 pas
sage into a large, sparsely furnished
room with high windows, in which
were two beds laid on the cement
floor, and asked them if it pleased
them.
They said, Yes; II will serve"
Have no fear for your baggage.
Were you as rich as you say you are
poor and az noble as you say you are
humble both it and you are safe in
the inn Of the widow Masouda. o my
guests. But how are you named?"
Peter and john
Remember the pilgrim with the line
OF white hair is Peter"
You need it to distinguish you apart,
who, I suppose, are twins. Let me
see, Peter has line Of white hair and
gray eyes. John has blue eyes. John
also is the greater warrior, il pilgrim
can be a warrior Look at his muscles