Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-09-06

AYE" answered Goodwin. He Will
come, but, l fear me, too late"
Yes, brother, unless we go to meet
him. Masouda has promised
"Mascudn," sighed Goodwin. "Ah, to
think that so much should hang upon
thu f%aithfulness OF one woman
at docs not hang on her. said Wulf;
at hangs on Fate, who writes with her
finger. Come; let us ride"
So, followed by their escort, they
rode in the gardens, taking note. With
out seeming to do so, Of the position OF
the tall rock and Of how it could be
approached from every side. Then they
went in again and waited for some sign
or word of Rosamund, but in vain.
That night there was no feast, and
their meal was brought to them In the
guest house. While they sat at it Ma
SCUBA appeared for a moment to tell
them that they had leave to ride the
bridge in the moonlight and that their
escort would await them at n certain
hour.
The brethren asked If their sister Ros-
amund was not coming to dine with
them. Maso0da answered that as the
queen elect Of the A%l-je-bnl it was not
lawful that she should eat with any
other men, even her brothers. Then as
she passed out. stumbling as thong, by
accid snt. she brushed against Goodwin
and mUttered:
Remember, tonight and was gone.
When the moon had been up an hour
the officer Of their escort appeared and
led them to their horses. AS they ap-
preached the bridge they saw Lozelle
departing on his great black stallion,
which was in Il lathcr of foam. 1t
seemed that he also had made trial Of
hat p~erilCus poth.
Now, God 1iu. leading on Flame, they
faced the bridge ani walked their
horses over it. Nu~ die these hang
back, although they snorted a little at
the black gulf on either side. Next
they returned al a trot. then over again.
md yet again at a carter II q gallop,
sometimes together and sometimes sin
gig. Lastly Wui' made Goodwin halt
In the middle OF Tie briGg2 and gallop-
ed down upon him at speed till within
a lance's length. Then suddenly he
checked his horse and, while his audi
ence shouted, wheeled it around on its
hind legs, its fore hoofs beating the air
and gallopcd back again, followed by
Goodwin.
".AH went well" Wulf said as they
rode to the castle. "and nobler or more
gentle horses were never crossed by
Y LD,, ,a,T la.,. fo,, t,p,,rrpr
nigh. 1 shall dc my best, and if
fall. why. then. act Upon your owl
counsel. At least, let him not kill bot
of US"
Havlr,: stablci their horses, tn
brethren wanGcrP! into the garden an,
drew by a roundabout road to the tai
rock. Then, finding themselveg alone
they unlocked the door and, slipping
through it, locked II again on tho far
Their side and CROPPED their way to III
moonlit mouth of the ave, Here the.
stood awhile studying tire descent o
the gulf as hest they could in that ligh
till suddenly Goodwin, feeling a han
upon his shoulder, started round to fla
himself face to face with Masouda.
GLOW did you Gomez he asked.
"By a roud in which is your onl
hope" she answered. Now, Sir Goo
win, waste 40 words. for my time
short, but if you think that you On
trust me-and this is for you to judge
give me the signct which hangs abOr
your neck
Thrusting down his hand between h
mail shirt and his breast, Goodwin DIRE
put the ancient ring and handed it
Masouda.
You trust indeed she said, with
little laugh. "a she hid it in her bosom
eyes, lady," he answered, II tru'
you, though why you should risk s
much for us I do not know"
what is it IL you, Sir Goodwin, WI
a certain woman spy of the assassin
whom in your own land you would sp
on, chooses to do this or that?"
She ceased and stood before him wi
heaving breast and flashing eyes,
mysterious white figure in the moo
light most beautiful 70 see.
Goodwin felt his heart stir and Il
blood Cow to his brow. but before
could speak Wulf broke in. saying;
"You babe us spare words, Lady "
SCUBA, so tell us what we must do"
"This," she answered, becoming cal
again. tomorrow night about III
hour you fight I.oaellc upon the mario
way. You may fall, though that mi
at heart IS Il coward, which you q
not, for here courage alone will avi
nothing, but rather skill and horsrma
ship and trick of war. If so, then
Goodwin fights him, and of this husine
none can tell the end. should both
you go down, then | will 10 my best
rave your lady and take her to Sala
ed-din.
"Now, if you conquer, Sir Wulf, or
you fall and your brother conque
both Of you-or one Of YOU, as it m
happen-must gallop back at full spc
toward the stable gate that lies me
than a mile from the castle brld;
Nor must you stop at the gate. but ri
on, ride like the wind til you reach Il
place. The gardens will be empty,
every soul within the city will hn
gathered on the walls and on the hon
tops to sec the fray. There Is but G
fear. BY then a guard may be set
fore this mound. II so, you must
them down or be cut down aud bri
your story to an end. Sir Goodwin, h,