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The Brethren By RID Ell HAGGARD, Author of "She" "king Solomon's Alines" Etc. COPYRIGHT, 1903-1904, "B V R11) E % HAGGARD Again flic trumpets I dew and the heralds called, and they let] them to the d<«ors of the chapel, which at their knocking were thrown wide. Prom within came the sound of women's voices singing, but it was no sad song they sang. The sisters of the order are still there." said Rosamund t« Wulf. "and would cheer us on our road tn heaven." "Perchance." he answered. "1 know not. I am amassed." At tin 1 door the company of Moslems left them, bid they crowded round the entrance as tflonjaT hi waTcfi wTiaf pass ed. Now down the lons aisle walked a single white robed ligure. It was the abbess. "What shall we da, mother?" said Rosamund lo her. "Follow me, both of yon." she said, ami they followed her through the nave to the altar rails, and at a sign from her knelt down. Now they saw that on either side of tbe altar •stood a Christian priest. The priest to the- right ii was tne hishop Egbert -came forward and began to read over them the marriage serv ice of their faith. "They'd wed US ere we die." whis pered Rosamund to Wulf. "So be it." he answered. '1 am gl?rd." "And I also, beloved,*' she whispered back. Tbe service went on as in a drtsitn the service went on. while tbe white /(died sisters sat in their earven chairs and watched. The that were banded to them bad been interchanged. Wulf had taken Rosamund to wife, Rosamund had taken Wulf to husband fill death did them part. Then The old bishop withdrew to the altar ami another hooded monk came forward and tittered over them the benediction in a deep and sonorous voice, which stirred their hearts umst strangely, as though some echo reach ed them from beyond the grave. He held his Hands above them iv blessing and looked upward, so that his hood fell hack and Die light mt the altar lamp ftdl upon his. fait; It was the face of Godwin, and >mii his head was the tonsune of a monk. Once mare they stood 9»efore Saladin, and now I heir train was-swelled by ike abbess and sisters of the Holy Cross. "Sir Wulf TV A ivy." said the sultam. "and you. Rosamund, my niece. Prin cess of Baal bee, the dregs id" your cup, sweei or hitter or bittersweet, are drunk; the doom which I decreed for you is accomplished, and. accord ing to your «>wn rites. yor.i -jue man and wife till Allah sends ujmmi you that Beverly of Graustark CHAPTER I E.4R off in tbe mountain lands, some where to the east of the setting still, lies Use principali ty of Graustark, serene relic of rare old feudal days. The traveler reaches the little domain after an ar duous, sometimes perilous, journey from the great European capitate, whether they be north or south or west - never east, lie crosses great rivers and wide plains; he winds through fer tile valleys and over barren plateaus; he twists and turns mid climbs among somber gorges and rugged mountains; he touches the cold clouds in one Way and the placid warmth of the valley in tlTe next, (jmedoes njf go to fTraustark for ;i pleasure jaunt, it is too far from Ihe rest of the world, and the wnys are 3ften dangerous because of the strife among the tribes of the intervening mountains. If one hungers for excite ment and peril, he finds it in tbe jour ney from the north or the south into the land of the Graustarklaus. from Vienna and other piaecs almost direct ly west the way is not so full of thrills, for ihe railroad skirts the darkest of the danger lands. Once in the heart of Graustark, how ever, the traveler Is charmed into dreams of peace and happiness and— paradise. The peasants and the poets sing in one voice and accord, their psalm being of never ending love. deluTi wTiiTTi T wfTiTi'oTd"! TTt'i-.iuse y"oTt showed mercy upon those doomed to die and were ilie moans of mercy. I also give you mercy and with it my love and honor. Now bide here, if you will, in my freedom and enjoy your rank and wealth, or go hence, if yoa will, and live out your lives across the sea. The blessing of Allah be upon you and turn your souls to light. This is the decree of Vusuf Sahth-ed-din, commander of the faithful, conqueror and caliph of the east." Trembling, full of joy and wonder, they knelt before him aud kissed his baud. Then, after a few swift words between them, Rosamund spoke: "Sire, that God whom you have in voked, the «;«>d of Christian find of Moslem, the Cod of all the world, though Ihe world worship him in many ways and shaj»es, Mess and reward you for this royal deed. Vet listen to our petition, it may he that many of our faith still lie unransomed in Jerusalem. Take my lands and gems and let them be valued and their price given to pay for the liberty of some poor slaves. It is our marriage of fering. As for us. we will get us lo •our own •country." "So be It." answered Saladin. ••The lands 1 wM take and devote the sum of them as you desire yes, to the last bezant. The jewels also shall be val ued, but 1 give them back ,to you as my wedding dower. To these nuns fur ther 1 grant permission to bide here in Jerusalem to nurse the christian sick, unharmed ami unmolested, if so they will, and this because they sheltered you. 110. minstrels and heralds, lead this new wed pair to the place that has been prepared for thorn T"' Still trembling and bewildered, they turned .lo go. when. 10. Codwin stood before them smiling and kissed them both upou tbe cheek, calling them "Be loved brother and sister." "And yon. Godwin?" stammered Rosamund. "I. Rosamund, have also found my bride, aud she is named the Oiwrea of -Christ." "l>o you. then, return to England, brother T asked Wulf. "Nay." Codwin answered iv a fierce whisper and with Bashing eyes; "the ■cross is down, but not forever. That erosfi has Richard of England and many anola*-r servant beyond 1 lie seas, aud they will come at the chnreh's •call. Here, toother, before all i* done we may niet-3 again iv war. Till then, la rowell." So spoke Godwin and then was-gone. THE ::m>. By GEORGE BARR MXITCHEON, Author of "Griuttark" ft? ft* i .;>';.ir: !'»•< k> Uodd. Mud mi lumwni : Down lii" {Tie foli'Tana's ainT up In fin? hills the simple worker of the soil re | ioiit's that he Uvea iv Graustark; iv the towns ami villages the bumble mer chant and his thrifry customer unite to sing the song of peace and content ment; iv the palaces of the noble the same patriotism warms its heart with thoughts of Grnustnrk. the ancient. I Prince and pauper strike hands for the love of the land, while outside the 'great, heartless world goes rumbling tin without a thought of the rare little principality among the eastern moun -1 tains. In point of area Graustark Is hut a mite iv the great galaxy of nations. ; Glancing over the map of the world, i one is almost sure to miss the infinites imal patch of green that marks Its lo cation. One could not he blamed if he regarded the spot ns v typograph ical or topographical illusion. Vet the people of this quaint little laud hold iv their hearts a love and a confidence |that are not surpassed by any of the | lordly monarcbs who measure their patriotism by miles and millions. The Oraustarkians area sturdy, courageous trace. From the faraway century when they fought themselves clear of the Tartar yoke to this very hour they have been warriors of might and valor. The boundaries of their tiny domain were kept inviolate for hundreds of I years, and but one victorious foe had come down to lay siege to Edelweiss. uio capitiX .T..p**..m,.. p>y.,~.~~: cipality in the north, had conquered Craustark in the hitter part of the nineteenth century, but only after a hitter war iv which starvation and famine proved far more destructive than the arms of the victor-. Tbe treaty of peace aud the Indemnity that feli to the lot of vanquished Graustark have been discoursed upon at length lv at least one history. Those who have followed that his tory must know, of course, that the reigning prim-ess, Yetive, was married to a yon rig American :,i the very tag end of Use nineteenth century. Tins admirable couple met in quite romauth fashion while the yonns sovereign was I traveling Incognito tbrougli tin- raited | States of America. The American, a splendid fellow named Lorry, was so j persistent in the sol>sequent attack I Upon her heart that all ancestral preju- | dices wore swept away, and she be- J came his bride with the full consent of ! her entranced subjects. The manner ! in which lie wooed and won this young | aud adorable ruler forms ir 1 very at- i tractive chapter In romance, although unmentioned in history. This being the tale of another day. it is not timely to dwell upon the interesting events which led up to the marriage of the Princess Yetive to (Ironfall Lorry. Suf fice If to say that Lorry won bis bride against all wishes and odds and at the same time won an endless love and esteem from the people of the little kingdom among the eastern hills. Two : years have passed since that notable I Wedding in Edelweiss. Lorry and his wife, the princess, made their home in Washington, bnt ■pent a few months of each year in Edelweiss. Daring the periods spent in Washington and iv travel her affairs In Graustark were in the hands of a capable, austere old diplomat, her uncle. Count Caspar Halfont. Princess Volga reigned as regent over the prin cipality of Axphain. To the south lay the principality of Dawsbcrgeu. ruled by young I*rince Dnntan, whose half brother, the deposed Prince Gabriel, had been for two years a prisoner in Graustark. the convicted assassin of Prince Loreiiz of Axphain. one time suitor for the band of Yetive. It was after the second visit of ttie Lorrys to Edelweiss that a serious turn of affairs presented itself. Gabriel had succeeded in escaping from his dun geon. His friends in Dawsbcrgeu stired up a revolution, and Dantan was driven from the throne at Serros. On Ci**" arrival or «..ii»i■ i*■ lat toe tbt' army of I >awsltergeu espoused the cause of the prime ii had spurned, and, three days after liis escape, he was on his throne, defying Yetive and offering a price for the head of the unfortunate Dnntan. now a fugitive in tlte hills along the Graustark frontier. CHAPTER 11. MI.VTOR GEORGE CALHOUN was a member of congress from one of the southern states. llis ■ | forefathers had represented the 'same commonwealth, and so. it was i likely, would bis descendants, if there i -• virtue iv the fitness of things and ti;e heredity of love. While intrepid fro';ier.smcti were opening the trails I tLr.tugb the fertile wilds west of the j Allcghaiiies a strong branch of the Cal houn family followed close in their j footstep*. The major's great-grand father saw the glories and the possi bilities of the new- territory. He struck boldly forward from the old Revolu tionary grounds, abandoning ihe luxu ries and traditions of the Carolinas for a fresh, wild life of promise. His sous ,iind daughters became solid stones in 'the foundation of a commonwealth, land his grandchildren me still at work ;on the structure. State and national legislatures bail known the Cafkouus ' from the beginning. Battlefields had tested their valor, aud drawing rooms had proved their gentility. Major Calhoun had fought with Stonewall JaekSOU and won his spurs, ! and at the same time the heart and hand of Betty Hasweil. the stanches! Confederate who ever made flags. ! bandages and prayers for the boys hi , gray. When the reconstruction came Ibe went to congress, ami later on be j came promiueui in the I'nited States ! consular service, for years holding an [ Important Europeau post. Congress [ claimed him once more iv the early i nineties, and there he is at this very i time. Everybody In Washington's social and diplomatic circles admired ttio beautiful Beverly Calhoun. According 'to his own loving term of bleat idea tion, she was the major's "youngest." The fair southerner had seen two sea sons In the nation's capital. Cupid, standing directly iv front of her. had shot his darts ruthlessly and resist- Icssly luto the passing hosts, and mas culine Washington looked humbly to her for the balm that might soothe its pains. The wily god of love was fair enough to protect tbe girl whom he forced to be his unwilling, perhaps un conscious, ally. He held his impene trable ehhsW between her heart and the assaults of a whole army of suit ors, high and low. great and small. It was not idle rumor that said she bad declined a coronet or two, that the millions of more than one American Midas had been offered to her and that She had dealt gently but lirmly with a •core of hearts which had nothing but love, ambition and poverty to support them in the conflict. "nre HTed in a handsome home not far from the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Orenfall Lorry. It seemed hut natural that the two beautiful young women should become constant and loyal friends. Women as lovely as they have no reason to he jealous. It is only the woman who does not feel secure of her personal charms that cultivates envy. At the home of Gran stark s princess Beverly met the dukes and barons from the far east. It was in the warmth of the Calhoun hospital Ity that Yetive formed her dearest love for the American people. Miss Beverly was neither tall nor short. She was of that divine aud in definite height known as medium: slen der, but perfectly molded: strong, hut graceful -an absolutely healthy young person, whose beauty knew well how to take care of itself. Being quite heart whole and fancy free, she slept well, ate well and eujoyed every min ute of life. In her blood ran the warm, eager impulses of the south: hereditary love of ease ami luxury displayed itself in every emotion: the perfectly norma! demand upon meu's admiration was as characteristic in her as it is in any daughter of the land whose women are born to expect chivalry and hom age. A couple of years in a New York "finishing school" for young ladies had served greatly to modify Miss Cal houn's colloquial charms. Many of her delightful "way down south" phrases and mannerisms were blighted by tbe cold, unromantie atmosphere of a sem inary conducted by two ladies from Boston who were too old to marry, too ! penurious to love and too prim to think ' that other women might care to do | both. There were times, however—if j she were excited or enthusiastic—when | pretty Beverly so far forgot her train ing as to break forth with a very at j tractive "yo' all." "suah nough or -'go ; 'long uaow." And when the bauds played "Dixie she was not afraid to • stand up and wave her handkerchief, i Tbe northerner who happened to be ■ with her on such occasions usually ! found himself doing likewise before he 'could escape the infection. Miss Calhoun's face was one that ' painters coveted deep down in their I artistic souls. It never knew a dull iu jstant: there was expression In every ' lineament, in every look: life, genuine ! life, dwelt in the mobile countenance tbat turned the head of every man and woman who looked upon it. Her hair was dark brown and abundant: her eyes were a deep gray and looked eagerly from between long lashes of black; her lips were red and ever willing to smile or turn plaintive as oc casion required; her brow was broad and fair, and her frown was as rlanger- otis as a smile. As to her age, if the major admitted, 1 somewhat Indiscreetly, that all his chil dren were old enough to vote, her I mother, with the reluctance born in i women, confessed that she was past tweuty. so a year or two either way will determine Miss Beverly's age so • far as the telling of This story is COO eerned. Her eldest brother. Keith Cal- Iboon (the one with the congressional ' heritage), thought she was too young to marry, while her second brother, Dan, held that she soon would be too ; old to attract men with matrimonial intentions. Lucy, the only sister, bav \ ing been happily wedded for ten years, advised her not to think of marriage until she was old enough to know her own mind. Toward the close of one of the most brilliant seasons the capital had ever known, le-s than a fortnight lief ore congress w:is to adjourn, the wife of Grenfall Lorry received The news which spread gloomy disappoint mem over the entire social realm. A dozen receptions, teas and balls were des tined to lose their richest attraction. and hostesses were in despair. The princ ess had licmi called to Graustark. Beverly Calhoun was miserably un happy, she hud beerd the story of «.'a briel's escape and the consequent prob- ability of a conflict with Axphain. It did not require a groat stretch of imag ination to convince her that the l>»rrya were bnrrying off to scenes of Intrigue, strife and bloodshed, and that not only Graustark, but iis princess, was in jeopardy. Miss Calhoun's most cherished hopes faded wiilt the announcement that trouble, not pleasure, called Yetive to Edelweiss. It had been their plan that Beverly should spend the delightful summer mouths in Graustark, a guest at the royal palace. The original ar rangements of the Lorrys were hope lessly disturbed by the late news from Count Elalfont. They were obliged to leave Washington two months earlier than they Intended, and they could not take Beverly Calhoun Into danger rid den Graustark. The contemplated visit to St. Petersburg and other pleasures had to be abandoned, and they were iv tears. Yetlve's maids were packing tbe trunks, and Lorry's servants were iv n wild state of haste preparing for the departure on Saturday's ship, On Fri day afternoon Beverly was naturally where she could do the most good and he of the least help—at the Lonys'. Pelf confessedly she delayed the preparations. Respectful maidservants and respectful manservants came of ten to the princess' boudoir to ask questions, and Beverly just as fre oueatlX- made tearful resolutions fee !r3ve"Tse fj.7os< ToTTT 7Ti pc.ice—if sin-TV a hullabaloo could i>e called peace. Callers came by the dozen, but Yetive would see DO one. Letters, telegrams and telephone calls almost swamped her secretary; the footman and die butler fairly gasped nader the strain of excitement: Through it all the two friends sal despondent and alone in the drear room that once had been the abode of pure delight Orenfall Lorry i was off in town closing up all matters of business that could he dispatched at ' onco. Tbe princess arid her industri ' oils retinue were to take the evening : express for New York, and the next I day would find them at sea. i "I know I shall cry all summer." ! vowed Miss Calhoun, with conviction jin her eyes. "It's just too awful for anything." She was lyi-ic hack among the cushions of the divan, and her hat was the picture of cruel neglect. For three solid bonis she had stubbornly j withstood Yetive's appeals to remove j her hat, insisting that she could not ; trust herself to stay more than a min j Ute or two. "It seems to me. Yetive. that your jailers must lie very incom , petent or they wouldn't have let loose all this trouble upon you." she com- plained. "Prince Gabriel is the very essence of trouble." confessed Yetive plain tively. "He was tmrn to annoy peo ple, just like the evil prince in the fairy tales." "I wish we had him over here." the American girl answered stoutly. "He wouldn't l>e such n trouble, I'm sure. We don't let small troubles worry ns very long, you know." "But he's dreadfully important over there. Beverly: that's the difficult part of it." said Yetive solemnly. "You see. he is a condemned murderer." "Then yon ought to hang him or electrocute him or whatever it is that you do to murderers over there," spoke Beverly promptly. "But. dear, you don't understand. He won't permit us either to hang or to electrocute him. my dear. The situa tion Is precisely the reverse, if he la correctly quoted by my uncle. Wheu Uncle Caspar scut an envoy to inform Dawsbergen respectfully that Gran stark would hold it personally respon sible if Gabriel were not surrendered, Gabriel himself replied. 'Graustark l>e banged:' " "How rude of him. especially when your uncle was so courteous about itl He must be a very disagreeable per son." announced Miss Calhoun. "I am sure you wouldn't like him." said tin' princess. •"His brother, who has been driven from the throne—am! from the capital, in fact is quite dif j ferent. I have not seen bim, tint my j ministers regard bim as a splendid young man." "oh. how I hope be mny go back with his army and annihilate that old Gabriel!" cried Beverly, frowning fiercely. "Alas." sighed tbe princess, "be hasn't an army, and besides he is find ing it extremely difficult to keep from being annihilated himself. The army has gone over to Prince Gabriel." "Pooh!" scoffed Miss Calhoun, who was thinking of the enormous armies tbe I'nited States can produce at v day's notice. "What good is a ridicu lous little a liny like his anyway ? A battalion from Fort Thomas could beat it to" - "Ikm't boast, dear." interrupted Ye- tire, with a wan smile. litis a standing army ot" lO.UlM) excel lent soldiers. With the war reserves she has twice the available force 1 can produce." "lint your men are so brave!" cried Beverly, who had heard their praises sung. "True God bless them:—but you for get that we must attack Gabriel in bis own territory. To recapture him means a perilous expedition into the mountains of Ihiwsbergeu, and I am sorely afraid, oh. dear, I hope he'll surrender peaceably;" ••And go Iwck to jail for life?" cried Miss Calhoun. "It's a good ileal to expert of him. dear. I fancy it's much better fun kicking up a rumpus on the OUtaide than it is kicking one's toes off against an obdurate stone wall from the inside. You can't blame him for fighting v hit.'' "No. I .suppose not." agreed the prin cess miserably. "tJreu is actually hap py over Ihe miserable affair. Iteverly. He Is full of enthusiasm .and positively aching to l»e in Graustark right in the th.ck of it all. To hear him t.ik dm would think that Prince Gabriel has uo show at all. He kept me up till 4 o'clock this morning telling me that Dawsliergen didn't know what kind of a snag it was goiug tip agaiust. I have a vague idea what he means by that. His manner did not leave much room for doubt. He also said that we would Jolt Dawsliergen off the map. It sounds encouraging at least, doesn't It?" "It sounds very funny for you to say those thimrs," admitted Keverly. "even though they come secondhand. You were not cut out for slang." "Why, I'm sure they are all good English words," remonstrated Yetive. "Oh, dear, I womlcr - what fhe* «re do lug in Graustark this very iusfarr*. lighting or"— _ _ to BE con n\rr.i> "Dawsbergea