The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, February 5, 1905, Page 2

N is the lasy ic ations 1 novel cli. Earl of ven exactly t of East- § an s copy- heirs , @8 a bribe certaln ga asked who know, z their tent was in dark: moreover, that he believed there only one man in at least he heard or saw no other. He added thet he was sum- moned to the tent by an Arab man whom he had neve n before, but who told him that he wished for what he n ed and good for- tune, he was there at a certain hour after sunset. Then he fainted, and was put back morning bv t W the in prison till the command of Saladin. rning came Abdullah who desired no more tor- at the end of them, it to strangle himself But first had upon the wall with a piece of charcoa “May that accursed Star of Hassan which tempted me bring better luck to others, and may hell receive the soul of Mesrour,” us died Abduilah, as faithful as he could be in such sore straits, since he had betrayed neither Masouda nor his son, both of whom were in the plot, and said that only ¢ of the brethren was present the tent. whereas he knew well th the two of them were there and which of these spoke and gave him the jewel. Very early that morning the breth- 1 \ THE SAN FRANCISCO .SUNDAY CALL. Drefhrey. mancs of Y who were lying wakeful, heard without their tent, and looking aw that it was sumrounded by covered,” said God- !y, but with despair . my brother, admit under torture, lest others us. fight all W on th * asked ‘Wulf as they serve us nothing.” ntered the tent, and 1 to give up their ow him to adin to that had been laid nor wauld he say went as prisoners, ng awhile were ushered om of the house where which was arranged as end. Before stood, till presently through the further i of his »samund, brought her Ma- was on . and in alm t hem, but S ull of rage, utation. For , then S ad the charg: s that they had the Princess o nvicts no man save on tes- to the secre- t had been captive he W 1ch Mesrour 1k he could Abdullah his tale, Abdullah, and ard him and one ® in the tent passed, and after- s¢ h with the jewel d finished Godwin as had heard speaking and he answered that , as their voices were one voice only had spoken. osamund was ordered to give sony, and said, truly enough nothing of the plot and t of this flight. Masouda that she now heard of it for After this the secreiary t there was no more evi- ed of the Sultan to give e matter. hich of us,” asked God- £ that both the dead and the declared they heard but and whose that voice was not know? According to your a you cannot condemn a man nst whom there is no good testi- ‘hich of us, is to die, and t6 go f asked Godwin. hat he who is doomed may Say you, who know the truth,” s aladin. W nothing,” said Godwin; n die, I as the the younger. The gift to m who Abdullah said the first time, § there assem- nen who loved a knightly ured in admtration, and aid th So of vou. die.” ped forward and knees before it 1iming nele, such is not your jus- » should be slain for the f offense there be. If is guilty, spare ch you.” his hand and raised knees, then thought a retched out from h while and “Nay, plead not with me, for how- ach you love him the guilty man die s he deserves. But of this alone knows the truth, it be decided by Allah,” s head upon his hand, at Wuilf and Godwin as though their sof q must ‘*indin stood that old aum who had been with san when he commanded en to depart from Damascus, while had listened to ing that had passed with a sour forward, he whispered ear, who considered g answered him: good. Do so.” imaum left the court, and re- ently carrying two small alwood tied with silk and like each other that none | them apart, which boxes he d continually from his right hand left and from his left hand to his to hi right, then gave them to Saladin. In one of these,” that said the Sultan, “is jewel known as the Inchanted r and the Luck of the Heuse of Has- san, which the Prince presented to his conqueror on the day of Hattin and for the degire of which my captain Abdul- lah became a traitor and was brought to death. In the other is a stone of the same weight. Come, my niece, take you these boxes and give them' to your kinsmen, to each the box you will. The e that is called the Star of Hassan is magical and has virtue, so they say. Let it choose, therefore, which of these knights is ripe for death, and let him n whose box the Star is found.” ow,” muttered the imaum into the of his master, “now at length we shall learn which it is of these two men that the lady loves.” “That is what I seek to know,” an- swered Saladin in the same low voice, As she heard this decree Rosamund looked round wildly and pleaded: “Oh! be not so cruel. I beseecH you D1 me this task. Let it be another hand that is chosen to deal death to one of those of my own blood with whom 1 have dwelt since childhood. Let me not be the blind sword of fate that frees his spi lest it should haunt my dreams and turn all my world to woe. Spare me, I beseech you.” But Saladin looked at her very stern- ly and answered: “Princess, you know why I have brought you to the East and raised you to great honor here, why also I have made you my companion in these wars. It ig for my dream’'s sake, the dream which told me that by some noble act of yours you should save the lives of thousands, Yet I am sure that N you desire made to these to escape, and plots are take you from me, though of t >u say that you and your woman”—and he looked darkly at Ma- souda—"kncw nothing. Buf these men know, ard it is right for you, for whose sake if mot by whose command the thing v done, should rhete out its reward, and that the blood of him ou appolnt, which is split for should be on your and no other Now do my bidding.” a moment Rosamund starcd at s, then suddenly she ciosed her head. For the b eyes, and tched ward over the edze of the dais. There- taking them up at hazard. out her arms, leaning fo on, calmly enough the brethren took, each of them, the box that was near- est to him, that in Rosamund's left hand falling to Godwin and that in her right to Wuaif, Then she opened her eyes again, stood 11, and watched. “Cousin,” said Godwin, “before we break this cord that is our chain.of doom. know well that, whatever chances, we blame you not at all. It is God who acts through you, and you are as innocent of the death of either of us as of that plot wherecf we stand:ac- cused.” Then he began to unknot the silk that was bound about his box. Wulf, knowing that it would tell all the tale, did not trouble himself as yet, but looked around the room, thinking that, whether he lived or died, never would he see a stranger sight, Every eye in it was fixed upon the box in Godwin's hand; even Saladin stared as though it held his own deéstiny. N&; not every one, for those.of the old imaum were fixed upon the face of Rosamund, which was piteous to see, for all its beauty had left it, and even her part- ed lips were ashy. Masouda alone still stood upright and unmoved, as though shé watched some play, but he noted that her rich-hued cheek grew pale and that beneath her robe her hapd was pressed upon her heart. The silence also was intense, and jbroken only by the litle grating nofse of Godwin’s fingers, as, having no knife to cut it, he patiently untied the silk, “Trouble enough about one man's life. in a land where lives are cheap!” ex- claimed Wulf, thinking aloud, and at the sound of higvoice all men started. as though it had thundered suddenly in a summer sky. Then with a laugh he tore the silk about his box asunder with his strong fingers, and breaking the seal, shook out its comntents. Lo! there on the floor before him, gleaming green and white with emerald and dia- mond, lay the enchanted Star of Has- san. Masouda saw, and the color crent back to her cheek. Rosamund saw “also, and nature was too strong for her, and in one bitter: cry ‘the truth broke from her lips'at last: - “Not Wulf! Not Wulf!” she wailed, S —— and sack back senseless into souda’s arms “Now, sire,” said the old imaum with a chuckle, “vou know which of those two the Jady loves. Being a woman. as usual she chooses badly, for the other has the finer spirit.” ~ “Yes, I know now,’ said Saladin, “and I am glad to know, for the mat- ter has vexed me much.” But Wulf, who had paled for a mo- ment, flushed with joy as the truth came home to him, and he understood the end of all their doubts. ' * “The Star is well named ‘TheLuck.’” he said, as’ bending/down he took it from the floor and fastened it to his cloak above his heart, “nor do I hold it dearly earned.” Then he turned to his brother, who stood by Him white and still, saying: “Forgive me, Godwin, but such is the fortune of love and war. Grudge it not 'to me, for when I am sped to- night the luck—and all that hangs to it—will be yours.” So that strange scene ended. The afternoon drew toward evening, and Godwin stood before, Saladin in his private chamber. “What seek you now?"” said the Sul- tan sternly. g “A Dboon,” answered Godwin. “My brother is doomed to die before night- fall. T ask to die instead of him.” ‘Why, Sir Godwin?” * “For two reasons, siré. As you learned to-day; at length, the riddle is answered. It is Wulf who is be- loved of the Lady Rosamund, and therefore to kill him would be a crime, Further it is T and not he whom the eunuch heard bargaining with the cap- tain, Abdullah, in the tent—I swear it. Take your vengeance upon me and let him go to fulfill his fate.” Saladin pulled at his beard, then any syered: “If this is to be so, time is short, Sir Godwin, What farewells have you to make? You would speak with my niece, Rosamund? Nay, the Princess Ma-y e " e P e “No. sire, for then he might learn the truth and——" “Refuse this sacrifice, Sir Godwin, which perchance will be scarcely to his liking.” “I wish to say farewell to Masouda, she who is waiting woman to the Prince “That gou not do, for, kaow, 1 mistrust Sthis Muasouda, and believe that she was at"the bottom of your plot. I have dismissed her from the berson of the Princess and from my camp, which she leaves—if she has not already left—with some Arabs who are her kin. Had it not been for her services in the land of the assassing and afterward I should have put her t death.” “Then,” said Godwin with a sigh. “l desire only to sce . Egbert, the Bishop. that he may shrive me accord- ing to our fuith and make note of my last wishes,”™ | “Good, he shall he ‘sent to you. I ac- cept your statement that you are the guilty man and not Sir Wulf, and take your life for his. Leave me now, who have greater matters on my mind., The guard will seek you at the appointed time."” Godwin bowed and walked away with a_steady step, while Saladin, looking after’ him, muttered: “The world could ill spare so brave and good a man.” Two hours ‘later guards summoned Godwin from the place where. he was prisoned and, accompanied by the old Bishop who had shriven him, he,passed its doors with a happy countenance, such as a bridegroom might have worn In a fashion, indeed, he was happy whose troubles were done with, who had a few sins to mourn, whose faith was the faith of a child and who had laid down his life for his friend and brother. They took him to a vault of the great house where Saladin was lodged—a large, rough place, lit with torches, in which waited the headsman and his assistants. Presently Saladin enlt:h(!. and looking at him curiously sald: “Are-you etill of the same mind, Sir Godwin?’ B “Fam.” ° “Good. Yet I have changed mine. You shall say farewell to your cousin, as you desired to do. Let the Princess of Baalbec be brought hither, sick or well, that she may see her work. Let her come alone.” - “‘Sire,” pleaded Godwin, such a sight.” » . But he pleatled in vain, for Saladin answered only, “T have b A while passed, and Godwin, hearing the sweep of robes, lagked up and saw “spare her .the tall shapc of & veiled woman stand- you shall not see, and indeed cannot, for she lies swooning in her chamber, ‘Do you desire to meet your brother for the last time?” % ? ing in the corner of the vault, where the shadow was 8o deép that the torch- light only glimmered faintly upon her royal ornaments. “They told me that you were sick, Princess, sick with sorrow, as well you may be, because the man you love was about to die for you,” said Saladin in a sloy voice. “Now, I have had pity on your grief, and his life has been bought with affother life, that of the Knight who stands yonder.” The veiled form started wildly, then sank back against the wall. - “Rosamund,” broke in Godwin, speak- {ng in French, "I beseech you. be silent and do not unman me with words or tears. It is best thus, and yvou know that it is best. Wulf you love as he loves you, and I believe that in time you will be brought together. Me vou do not love, save as a friend. and never have. Moreover, I teil you this that it muy ease your pain and my conseience: I no longer seck you as my wife. whose bride is deat I p you, give to Wulf my love and bi , and to the lady Masouda say or write, that I offer her the homage of my heart: that I thought of her in my last moments, ard that my prayer is we may meet again where all crooked paths are struightened. Rosamund, farewell: peace and joy go with you through many years, eye and with your chil- dren’s children. Of Godwin I only ask you to ‘remember this, that he lived scrving you, and so died.” She heard and siretched out her arms, and, none forbidding him, God- win walked to where she stood. With- out lifting her veil she bent, forward and kissed him, first apon the brow and next upon the lips: then with a iow, moaning cry, she turned and fled from that gloomy place, nor did Sala- din seek fo stay her. Only to himself the Sultan wondered how it came about that if it was Wulf she loved. she still kissed Godwin thus upon the lips. As he walked back to the death-place Godwin wondered also, first that Rosa mund should have snoken no single word. and second because she had ssed him thus, even in that hour. Why or wherefore he did not know. but there arose in his mind a memory of that wild ride down the mountain side at Beirut. ard of lips which then had touched his cheek, and of the odor of hair that then was blown about his breast. With a sigh he thrust the thought aside, blushing to think that such memories should come to him who had done with earth and its delights, knelt down before the headsman, and, turning to the bishop, said: “Bless me, father, and bid strike.” Then it was that he heard a well- known footstep, and looked up to see thert Wulf staring at him. “What do yYou here?” he asked. “Has yonder fox ared both of us?’ And he nodded at Saladin. , “Let the fox speak.” said the Sultan with 4 smile. “Know, Sir Wulf, that your brother fwas about to die i1 your place, and of his own wish.” But I refuse such sacrifice who yet have made use of it to teach my niece the Princess that should she continue in her plottings to escape, or allow vou to continue In them, certainly it wi .bring you te your ths, and, if need be, her also. K vou are brave men whom I prefer to kil! in war. out; tuke them th these foolish Good horses stand wit as my gitt, and ride wi citizens of Jerusalem. We may meet again within its streets. Nay, thank me not. 1Ithank you who have taught Salah-ed-din how perfect a thing can be the love of brothers.” The brethren stood a while be- wildered, for it is a strange thing thus to come back from death to life. Each of them had made sure that he must die within some few minutes, and pass through the blackness which walis man in, to find he knew not what. And now, behold! the road that led to that blackness turned again at its ver edge, and ran forward through the fa- miliar things of earth to some end un- known. They were brave; both of them, and accustomed to face death daily, as In such a place and time all men must be; moreover, they had béen shriven, and looked to see the gates of paradise open on their new- born sight. Yet, since no man loves that jour- ney, it was very sweet to know it done with far a while, and that they still might hdpe to dwell upon this earth for many years. Little wonder, then, that their brains swam, and their eyes grew dim, as they passed from the shadow to the light agair It was Wulf who spoke the first. “A noble deed. Godwin, vet one for which I should not have thanked you had it heen accomplished, who then must have lived on by grace of your sacrifice. Sultan, we are grateful for your boon of life, though had you shed this innocent blood surely it must have stained your soul. May we bid farewell to our covsin Rosamund before we ride?"” “Na answered Saladin; “Sir God- win done that already—Ilet it serve for both. To-morrow she shall learn the truth of the story. Now go, and return ne more.” “That must be as fate wills,” an- swered Godwin, ang they bowed and went. Outside that gloomy place of death their swords were given them, and two good horses, which they mounted. Hence guides led them to the embassy from Jerusalem that was already in the saddle, who were very glad to wel- come two such Knights :n their com- puny. Then, having bid farewell to the bishop Egbert, who wept for joy at their escape, escorted fo awhile by Saladin's soldlers, they rode away frum Ascalon at the fall of night, Soon they had told each other all there was to tell. When he heard of the woe of Rosamund Wulf well-nigh shed tears. ‘We have our lives,” he said, “but how shall we save her? While Ma- souda stayed with her there was some hepe, but now I can see none.” “There s none, except in God,” an- swered Godwin, “who can do all things —even free Rosamund and make her your wife. Also, if Masouda is at lib- erty. we shall hear from her ere long— so let us keep a good heart.” But though he spoke thus, the soul of Godwin was oppressec with a fear hich he could not understand. It seemed as thopgh soms great terror was very close to him, or to one who was near and dear: Deeper and deeper he sank into the pit of dread of he knew not what. until at length he could heve cried aloud, and his brow was vathed with a sweat of anguish. Wulf saw his face in the moonlight, and asked: s “What 2ils you, Godwin? Have you some secret wound?” “:::.i brother.” he ahswered. “a WO n my spirit. IlI fortune threat- ens u at i1l fort e “That is no new " said “in this land of blood and sorrows. e us meet it as we have met the res *‘Alas! brother,”” exclaimed Godwin, “f fear that Rosamund Is in Sore dan- ger—Rosamund or another. Then,” answered Wulf, turning pale “since we cannot, let us pray that some angel may deliver her.” “Aye.” said Godwin, and as they rod through the des silent stars Mother, and and St sirength. sands beneath they prayed to the Bies: i nis, St. P with all thei them, sayis were safe in their own night they had ridden he plain wasd behind road ran among hills. 1d in the flaming lights the new-born day sFowed them a sight so beautiful that for = noment all that little company drew eig fo yonder befere thefn, though far away as yet, throned upon her hills, stoud the holy city of Jerusalem. There were her walls and towers, and there, stained red as though with the blood of its worshipers. soared the great cross upon the mosque of Omar—that cross which was se soon them, and their Suddenly it turr to fall. Yes, vonder was the city for whicis men had died by tens ahd hundreds of thousands, and still must die until the doom was done. .Saladin had offered to spare her citizens if they consented to surren hey would not. This embas sworn to with the hely places. lovking at it in its splendor. the hour was near, and and now, they knew tha groaned alou Jodwin gre ed also, but not for Je- rusalem. Oh! now the last terror was upon hir Blackness surged round him, and in the blackness swords and a sound as of a woman’'s voice mur muring his name. Clutching the pom- I of addle he swayed to and fro, il s the anguish passed. A strange wind seemed to blow about him and liftshis hair; a deep, unearthly P n peace sank into his spirit; the world emed far awav and heaven very It is over,” he said to Wulf. “T fear that Resamund is dead.” “If so, we must make haste to follow her,” answered Wulf with a sob. CHAPTER XXL What Befell Godwin. 2 At the village of Bittir, some seven miles from Jerusalem, the embassy dis- mounted ta rest, then again they pressed forward down the valley in-the hepe of reaching the Zion Gate befure the midday heat was upon them, At the end of this valler swelled the shoulder of a hill whence the eye could command its length, and on the erest of that shoulder appeared suddenly a man and a woman, seated on beautiful horses. The compan: halted, fearing lest these might herald scme attack and that the woman was & man- dis- guised to deceive them. While they walted thus irresolute the pair -upon the hill turned their horses’ heads and notwithstanding its steepness began to gallop toward them very swiftly. Wualt looked at them curiously and, said te Godwin: Now I am put in mind of a certain ce we ride which « took ‘eutside the walls of Beirut. Almost cculd I think that yonder Arab wds he who sat be- hind my saddle and yonder woman she who rode with you and that those two horses were Flame and Smoke reborn. Note their whirlwind pace and strength and stride.” Almcst as he finished speaking the strangers pulled up their steeds in,front of the company, to whom the man bowed his salutations. Then Godwin saw his face and knew him at once as the old Arab'called Som of the Sand. who had given them the horses Flam. and Smoke. “Sir,” sald the Arab to the leader of the embassy, “I have come to ask a favor of yonder knights who ride with you, which I think that they, who have ridden my horses, will not refuse to me. “This woman,” and he peinted to the closely veiled shape of his com panion, “is a relative of mine whom I desire to deiiver to friends in Jeru- salen, but dare not do so myself be- cause of the hill-dwellers between here and there, who are hostile t - my tribe. She is of the Christian faith and no spy. but cannot speak your language. Within the south gate she will be met by her relatives. ‘I have spoken. ‘Let the knights sett]e it,” sald tha commander, shrugging! his shoulders <\ impatiently and spurring EiS horse. “Surely we will take her,” said God- win, “though what we shall do with™ her if her friends are wanting I do not know. Come, lady, ride between us.” She turned her head to the Arab as though in question, and Fe translated the words, whereon she fell into the place that was shown to her between and a little behind the brethren. “Perhaps,” went on the Lrab to God- win, “you have learmed more of our tongue than you knew when we miet in past day§ at Belrut, and, fode the mountain side on the good horses Flame and Smoke. Still, If so, I pray you of your knightly courtesy disturb not this woman with your words, nor ask her to unveil her facé, since such is not the custom of her people. It is but an hour's journey to the city gate during which you will be troubled with her. This is the payment that I ask of you for the fwo good horses which. as I am told, bore you none so ill upon the Narrow Way and across plain and mountain when. you fled from Sinan. and on the evil day of Hattin when you unhorsed Salah-ed-din and slew ‘ Hassan.” “It shall be as you wish,” said God- win; “and. Son of the Sand, we thank you for those horses.” “Good. When you want more, let it be known in_the marketplaces that you seek me,”” and he began to turn his horse’s head. . “Stay.” said Godwin. anything of Masouda, your niece? she with you" “Nay,” answered the Arab in a low voice, “but she bade me be in a cer tain of which gu:;u wot, x::.ll" Ascalon, at an appointes our, to e her away, as she was leaving the camp of Salah-ed-din. So thither I go. Fares © well.” Then with a reverence to' thé”’ veiled lady, he tcok his reins dnd de- parted like an arrow by the road along’ ~ which they had céme. Godwin gave a sigh of relief. If Ma- souda had to meet her the Arab, at least she must be sate. S0 » “Know you, . Is