The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1902-03-06
CHAPTER w.

The merchant who gave the name of
Simon d'Ypres seemed to be much in
terested in what he had seen of Regin-
aid Hardelot, and what he had heard of
Ralph, for after Docket had gone, and
the canon, to refresh himself from the
exhaustion of his oratorical efforts, had
called for another pot of his theologi-
cum, he began to moralize and inquire.
81 marvel greatly" he said, "that
two brothers should be found thus in
opposition, the one courtier and the
other strolling preacher. 1 am but a
stranger in these parts, but surely it is
against nature that two brothers should
be thus at variance, one the servant
and favorite of an archbishop-chancel-
Tor, and the other strong rebel against
worldly prelates and all their works.
How comes it to pass?'
The canon took a draught of his theo-
logicum before answering. Then, hav-
ing wiped his mouth with the sleeve of
his gown, and adjusted his black skull
cap, he cleared his throat deliberately,
fixed his eyes on the merchant, and
said: Gin the first palce, master-I
forget your name"
"Simon d 'Ypres," suggested the host,
politely.
"Master Simon d'Ypres-I always
like to know whom 1 am addressing
in the first place, am not certain that
they are so much at variance as they
seem, and are not both hunting after
the same quarry, namely, their own
peculiar good, which is not against
nature, but, on the contrary, natures
first law. There be those at court that
would gladly see the clergy spoiled of
their possessions. 1t has been mooted
in parliament before now. In the
second place, if they are at variance,
and it is against nature, it is not
against custom and daily experience,
for we live in troubled times, when
brother is set against brother in higher
places than it is becoming or safe for
me to mention. And, in the third
place, If they are at variance, there is a
reason for it as for everything else
when it is properly understood; for this
Ralph Hardelot was always hot-headed
and hayward like his father, and he
was crossed and distempered at an age
when that appears grave matter of life
or death, which seems small and trifl-
ing to men of our years and wisdom. {"
The host rubbed his hands. "Ah!
Sir Roger" he cried, tell Master
Simon about that, about the crossing in
love. 1t is rare tale. OF all the
good ones to tell good tale," he add
ed" turning to the merchant, "Sir
Roger is the best in these parts"
The canon was not insensible to this
open fiattery, but he would not make
himself too cheap. "Tell it yourself,
Harry Hurst" he said. "You know it
as we'll as l."
"Nay, nay, Sir Roger, be per-
suaded."
81 am fatigued," replied the canon,
with yawn. "Tell it yourself"
SPY my grandmother kerchief,"
cried the host, "rather than Master
Simon should go without the tale, but
will tell it myself"
ga good invocation" said the canon.
proceed now with Once upon a
time. 1t is not so long ago, but like
Once upon time;' it gives the true
flavor to tale.
81 care nothing for your Once upon
a time, said the host, boisterously.
He stopped for moment with a puz-
zled air, and then began, impetuously
SWELL, then, there was wench in the
case, Clara Roos. Maybe you have
heard of her father, Sir William Roos,
of the great Rooses, he that was killed
in the French wars good Is years ago,
and Sir John Cavendish became her
guardian. He is now the chief-jus-
ticiar, YOU know. and Clara lived in