The Savannah morning news., 1904-09-04

CONTINUED from Last sundays News
Thus at last the long ceremony was
ended, and after it came a very great
feast, for at the high table were enter
tanned many noble knights and ladies,
other gentlemen, and outside all the
yeomanry and villagers, whilst the
children and the aged had food and
drink given to them in the nave of
the church itself When the eating at
length was done, the center of the hall
was cleared, and while men drank the
Ministries made music, for all were
very merry with wine and strong ale
and talk arose as to which of these
brethren-Sir Goodwin and Sir Wulf-
was the more brave, the more hand
some, and the more learned and cour-
teous.
Now a knight, it was Sir Surin de
Salcote-seeing that the argument
grew hot and was like to lead to
blows. rose and declared that this
should be decided by beauty alone, and
that none could be more fitted to Judge
than the fair lady whom the two of
them had saved from woman thieves
at the Death Creek quay. Then all
called, Aye, let her settle it," and
it was agreed that she would give the
kerchief from her neck to the BRAY
est, a beaker of wine TO the hand
soonest, and book of Hours to the
most learned.
So, seeing no help for it, since gen
tie and simple alike, except her father,
the brethren, the most of the other la
dies and herself, who drank but water,
had begun to grow heated with wine,
and were very urgent, ROsamund took
the silk kerchief from her neck. Then
coming to the edge of the dais, where
they We're seated in the sight of all,
she stood before her cousins, not
knowing, poor maid, to which of them
she should offer it. But Goodwin wills
pered a word to Wulf, and both of
them stretching out their right hands,
took an end of the kerchief which she
held towards them, and renting it in
twain, twisted the severed fragments
round their sword hits, whereat all
laughed at their wit and cried
The wine for the more handsome.
They cannot serve that thus"
Rosamund thought a moment. then
she lifted a great silver beaker, the
largest on the board, and having filled
it full of wine, once more came for
ward and held it before them as
though bordering. Thereon the breth-
rem, as though by a single movement.
bent forward and each of them touch
ed the beaker with his lips. Again a
great laugh went up, and even Rosa
mund smiled.
The book! the book" cried the COM
pany. "They may not tear the holy
book"
So for the third time Rosamund ad-
vanced, bearing the missal.
Knights" she said, you have rent
my kerchief and drunk my wine. Now
I offer this hallowed writing-to him
who can read it best"
Give it to Goodwin" said Wulf. II
am swordsman, not a clerk"
well said! we'll said" roared the
company. THE sword for us-not the
PEN" But Rosamund turned on them
and answered:
He who Yields sword is brave, and
he who Yields pen is wise, but better
is he Who can handle both sword and
pen-like my cousin Godwin-the brave
and learned"
Hear her! hear her!" cried the COM
pany. knocking their horns upon the
board, while in the silence that follow
ed a womans voice said, "Sir Cod
wins luck is great, but give me Sir
Wulf's strong arms"
Then the drinking began again. and
Rosamund and the ladies slipped away,
as we'll they might-for the times were
rough and coarse.
On the morrow, after most of the
guests were gone. many of them with
aching heads, Goodwin and Wulf sought
their uncle, Sir Andrew, in the solar
where he sat alone, for they knew
that Rosamund had walked to the
church hard by with two of the sarv-
ing women to make it ready for the
Fridays mass, after the feast of the
peasants that had been held in the
nave. Coming to his oaken chair by
the open hearth which had a chimney
to it-no common thing in those days
they kneeled before him.
What is it now, my nephews?" ask
ed the old man, smiling. DO you wish
that I should knight you afresh?"
Nay, sir" answered Goodwin, I'VE
seek a greater boom"
Then you seek in vain, for there is
none"
Another sort of boom" broke in
wulf.
Sir Andrew pulled his beard, and
looked at them. Perhaps the Prior
John had spoken a word to him, and
he guessed what was coming.
Speak he said to Goodwin. 1.-THE
gift is great that l would not give
to either of you if it be within my
power"
Sir" said Goodwin, 1--WE seek the
leave to ask your daughters hand
in marriage"
What! the two of you?"