The Savannah morning news., 1904-08-28
THE BRETHREN
A Romance of the Crusades
RIDER
BY H. RIDER HAGGARD.

welfare of his soul in some future
state? Why, at the thought Of it, even
there and then, in the solemn place and
hour of dedication, his spirit reeled. for
then and there for the first time il was
borne in upon him that he loved this
woman more than all the world beside
more than his life, more perhaps than
MS soul. He loved her with all his pure
young heart-So much that it would be
JOY for him to die for her. not ONLY
in the heat of battle as lately had al
most CHANGED on the Death Creek
quay, but in cold blood of set purpose
If there were need. He loved her with
body and with spirit, and, after God,
mere to her he consecrated his body
end his spirit. But what value would
she put upon the gift? What if some
other man?
BY his side, his elbows resting on the
altar rails, his eyes fixed upon the
beaming armor that he would wear in
battle, knelt Wulf, his brother-a
mighty man, knight of knights, fear
less, noble, open-hearted; such a one
as any woman might we'll love. And
he also loved Rosamund. OF this he
was sure. And, oh! did not Rosamund
love him? Bitter jealousy seized upon
Godwln's vitals. Yes; even then and
there, black envy got a hold Of him,
-
the place, the sweat poured from his
brow and body.
oh, God" he moaned in his poor
heart, give me strength to fight
| against this sinful passion that would
lead me to hate the brother whom 1
love. Q God, give me strength to
bear it if he should be preferred before
me. Make me a perfect knight-strong
to suffer and endure and, if need be,
tn reiOiPo in 0f
planter
Should be abandon hope? Should he
| fly the battle for fear he might be
| defeated? Nay; he would fight on in
all honesty and honor, and if he were
| overcome, would meet his fate as a
brave knight ought-without bitter
| ness, but without shame. Let destiny
direct the matter. 1t was in the hands
| of destiny, and stretching out his arm,
he threw it about the neck of his
brother, who knelt beside him. and
let it rest there, until the head of the
| tired Wulf sank sleepily upon his
shoulder, like the head of an infant
upon its mothers breast.
AT length the gray dawn broke, and
the sunlight passing through the east
ern window, like a golden spear, pierre
ed the dusk of the long church, which
was built to the shape of a cross, so
mat Ollly It's lIdnSepIS TeIldlueQ III
shadow. Then came sound of
chanting, and by the western door
entered the prior wearing all his robes,
attended by the monks and acolytes,
who swung the censers. In the center
of the nave he halted and passed to
the confessional. calling on Goodwin
to follow. So he went and knelt be-
fore the holy man and there poured out
all his heart. He confessed his sins.
They were but few. He told him of
the vision of his sickness, on which
the prior pondered long; of his deep
love, his hopes his fears, and his de-
sire to be a warrior who once as a lad
had wished to be a monk, not that he
might shed blood, but to fight for the
Cross of Christ against the Paynim,
ending with a cry Of
GIVE me counsel, o my father, give
me counsel"
Your own heart is your best coun-
sellor, was the priests answer. Go
as it guides you, knowing that through
it it is God who guides. Nor fear that
you will fail. But if love and the
joys of life should leave you. then
come back, and we will talk again.
Go on pure knight of Christ, fearing
nothing and sure OF the reward, and
take with you the blessing of Christ
and of his Church.
w nat p0Hdnce must pear, IdIler!
Such souls as yours inflict their
own penance. The saints forbid that
I should add to it," was the gentle
answer.
Then with a lightened heart Goodwin
returned to the altar rails, while his
brother Wulf was summoned to take
his place in the confessional. OF
the sins that he had to tell we need
not speak. They were such as were
them very grievous. Still, before he
gave him absolution, the good Prior
admonished him to think less of his
body and more of his spirit; less of
the glory of the feats of arms and
more of the true ends to which he
should enter on them. He babe him,
moreover, to take his brother Goodwin
as an earthly guide and example, since
there lived no better or wiser man
of his years, and finally dismissed
him, prophesying that if he would heed
these counsels, he would come to great
glory on earth and in heaven.
Father, I will do my best" an
swered Wulf hunbly; "but there can
not be two Godwins; and, father, some
times I fear me that our paths will
cross, since two men cannot win one
woman"
II know the trouble" answered the
Prior anxiously, land with less noble
natured men it might be grave. But
if it should come to this, then must
the lady judge according to the wishes
of her own heart and he who loses
her must be loyal in sorrow as in Joy.
But sure that you take no base ad-
vantage of your brother in the hour
of temptation, and bear him no bit
terness should he win the BRIDE"
Il think can be sure of that"
said Wulf; also that we, who have
loved each other from birth, would
die before we betrayed each other"
II think so also" answered the Prior:
but Satan is very strong
Then Wulf also returned to the altar
rails, and the full mass was sung, and
the sacrament received by the two
neophytes, and the offerings made all
In their appointed order Next they
were led back to the Priory to rest and
to eat a little after their long nights
vigil in the cold church, and here they
abode awhile. thinking their own
thoughts, seated alone in the Prior's
chamber. At length Wulf. who seemed
to be III at ease, rose and laid his
hand upon his brothers. shoulder say
ing:
Il can be silent no more: ii was ever
thus; that which is I'm my mind must
out of II. I have words to say to you"
Speak on. Wulf," said Goodwin.
Wulf sat himself down on his stool,
and for while stared hard at moth
ing, for he did not seem to find IL easy
to begin this talk. Now Goodwin could
read his brothers mind like a book