The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-05-12

| tween here and there are hostile to my
tribe. She is of the Christian faith and
no spy, but cannot speak your Ian
guage. Within the south gate she will
be met by her relatives. 1 have
spoken"
Surely we will take her." said God
win, though what we shall do with
her If her friends are wanting | do
not know. Come. lady, ride betweeM
us"
She turned her head to the Arab as
though in question, and he repeated the
words, whereon she fell into the place
that was shown TO her between and a
little behind the brethren.
"Still, if SO, / pray you of your
knightly courtesy" went on the Arab
to Goodwin, disturb not this woman
with your words nor ask her to unveil
her face, since such Is not the custom
of her people. 1t is but an hours
journey to the city gate, during which
you will be troubled with her. This is
the payment that l ask of you for the
two good horses Flame and Smoke"
1T shall be as you WISH" said God
win, land, Son of the Sand, we thank
you for those horses"
Good. When you want more let it
be known in the market places that
you seek me-" And he began to turn
his horses head.
"Stay," said Goodwin. what do you
know of Masouda, your niece? Is she
with your
may" answered the Arab in a low
voice, but she babe me be in a certain
garden Of which you have heard, near
Ascalon, at an appointed hour to take
her away, as she is leaving the camp
Of Salah-ed-din. So thither l go. Fare
we'll" Then with a reverence to the
yelled lady he shook his reins and de-
parted like an arrow.
Goodwin gave a sigh of relief. If
Masouda had appointed to meet her
uncle, the Arab, at least she must be
safe. Then he looked up to find Wulf
staring back at the woman behind him
and reproved him, saying that he must
keep to the spirit Of the bargain as
well as to the letter, and that If he
might not speak he must not look
either.
THAT is a pity" answered Wulf,
"for though she Is so tied up, she must
be a tall and noble lady by the way
she sits her horse. The horse, too, is
noble, own cousin or brother to Smoke,
/ think. Perhaps she will sell it when
we get to Jerusalem"
Then they rode on and reached the
gate of Jerusalem, which was crowded
with folk awaiting the return Of their
ambassadors. They all passed through,
and the embassy was escorted thence
by the chief people, most Of the multi
tude following them to know If they
brought peace or war.
Now Goodwin and Wulf stared at
each other, wondering whittier they
were to go and where to find the rela-
tives of their yelled companion, Of
whom they saw nothing. Out Of the
street opened an archway, and beyond
this archway was a garden, which
seemed to be deserted. They rode into
it 10 take counsel.
Jerusalem is reached, and we must
speak to her now" said Wulf, 'if only
~ aSA lCl NhlthSI Sic WISHES W pc
taken.'
Goodwin nodded, and they wheeled
their horses round.
Lady" he said In Arabic, 1--WE have
fulfilled our charge. Be pleased to tell
us where are those kindred to whom
we must lead you
Here" answered a soft voice
Then the lady let slip her cloak,
though not her veil, revealing the robe
beneath.
by st. Peterv' said Goodwin. 81
know the broidery on that dress. Ma
SCUBA! Say, is 1t you. MasoudaT'
AS he spoke the veil fell also, and 10!
before them was a woman like to Ma
SCUBA and yet not Masouda. The hair
was dressed like hers, the ornaments
and the necklace made of the claws of
the lion which Goodwin killed were
hers, the skin was of the same rich hue,
there even was the tiny mole upon her
cheek, but as the head was bent they
could not see her eyes. Suddenly. with
n little moan. she lifted it and looked
at them.
"Rosamund! 1t is Rosamund her
self" gasped Wulf. "Rosamund dis
guised as Masoudaw And he fell rath-
er than leaped from his saddle and ran
to her. murmuring. God, I thank
thee"'
Now she seemed to faint and slid
from her horse into his arms and lay
there n moment.
YES" said Rosamund. freeing her
self. lit is l and no other, yet rode
with you all this way and neither of
you knew me-"
Have we eyes that we can pierce
wells and wooden garments?" asked
Wulf Indignantly, but Goodwin said in
a strange. strained voice:
You are Rosamund disguised as
Masouda. Who. then. was that woman
to whom l babe farewell before Sala-
din while the headsman awaited me-
a yelled woman who wore the robes
and gems of Rosamund?"
Il know not, Goodwin" she answered,
"unless it were Masouda clad in my
garments as l left her Nor do know
anything Of this story of the heads
man who awaited you. l thought
thought it was for Wulf that he waited
oh, heaven, l thought that"
Tell us your tale" said Goodwin
hoarSely,