The Savannah morning news., 1904-09-04

John, VINO was her cOnfeSSor also.
Who knows? At least when her eyes
Tell upon Goodwin standing like a statue
before her, she started. and there broke
from her lips the words:
On, how swift an answer" Then.
recovering herself. added, ITO my
message. l mean, cousin"
I met the women at the door," he
said.
1T is kind of you to come" Rosa
mund went on; but. in truth, since
that day on Death Creek fear to walk
a yard alone or in the company of
women only. With you l feel safe"
"Or with Wulf."
Yes; or with Wulf," she repeated;
that is, when he is not thinking of
wars and adventures far away"
BY now they had reached the porch
OF the church. to find that the snow
was falling fast.
Let us bide here minute" he
SAID; 1t is but a passing cloud"
So they stayed there in the gloom
and for while there was silence. Then
he spoke
Rosamund, my cousin and lady,
come to put a question to you, but
frst-why you will Understandable is
my duty to ask that you will give
me no answer to that question until
a full day is passed"
surely, Goodwin, that is easy to
promise. But what is this wonderful
question that may not be answered."
one short and simple. Will you
promise yourself to me in MARRIAGE
She leaned back against the wall of
the porch.
My father" she began.
Rosamund. I have his leave"
How can answer since you your
self forbid it?'
Till this time tomorrow only.
| Meanwhile, 1 pray you hear me. Rosa
mund. 1 am your cousin, and we were
brought up together-indeed. except
When L was away at the Scottish war,
we have never been apart. There
fore, we know each other WELL as well
as any may who are not welded.
Therefore, too, you will know that
have always loved you. first ~ a broth
er loves his sister, and now as a man
| loves a woman"
Nay, Goodwin. I knew it not; in
deed, 1 thought that, as it used to be,
your heart was other where"
"Other where? What lady,"
Nay, no lady; but in your dreams"
Dreams? Dreams of what?"
Il cannot say. Perchance of things
that are not here-things higher than
the person of poor maid"
Cousin, in part you are right, for
/ 1t is not only the maid whom l love,
but her spirit also Oh, in truth, you
are to me DIR ana very symbol of
all that is noble, high and pure. In
| you and through you, Rosamund, l
worship the heaven 1 hope to share
with you"
"A dream? A symbol? Heaven? Are
not these glittering garments to hang
about woman's shape? Why, when
the truth came out you would find her
but skull in a jewelled mask, and
learn to loath her for a deceit that was
not her own. but yours. Goodwin, such
trappings as your imagination pic
lures could only fit an angels face"
They fit face that will become an
angels"
AN angels? How know you? l am
half an Eastern; the blood runs warm
in me at times. 1 too have my
thoughts and visions. 1 think that 1
love power and imagery and the de-
lights of life-a different life to this
Are you sure, Goodwin, that this face
will be an ancel's?"
Il wish 1 were as sure of other
things. At least I'll risk it,
Think of your soul, Goodwin. 1t
might be furnished. You would not
risk that for me. would your"
He thought. Then answered.:
mo; since your soul is a part of
mine, and l would not risk yours"
ike you LOT LndC answer, she
| said. Yes; more than for all YOU
have said before, because I know that
it is true, Indeed you are an honor
able knight, and 1 am proud-very
proud-that you should love me, though
perhaps it would have been better 9TH
erwise." And ever so little she bent
the knee to him.
Whatever chances, in life or death
those words will make me happy,
Rosamund."
Suddenly she caught his arm. what
ever chances? All! what is about
to chance? Great things, think, for
you and Wulf and me. Remember, I
am half an Eastern, and we Easterns
can feel the future before it lays it's
hands upon US and becomes the pres
ent. 1 fear it, Godwin-I tell you that
fear IT."
Fear it not. Rosamund. Why
should you fear? On Gods knees lies
the scroll of our lives. and of His pur-
poses. The words we see and the
words we guess may be terrible, but
He who wrote it knows the end of the
scroll, and that it is good Fear not.
therefore, but read on with an un-
troubled heart, taking no thought for
the morrow"
asked:
"Are these the words of a wooer or
of saint in warriors weeds? l know
not, ana do you know yourself? But
you say you love me and that you
would wed me. and 1 believe it. Also
that the woman whom Goodwin weds
will be fortunate. since such men are
rare. But 1 am forbid to answer till
tomorrow. Well then l will answer
as / am given grace. So till then be
what you were of old, and-the snow
has ceased guide me home, my cousin
Goodwin"
So home they went through the dark
ness and the cold, moaning wind,
speaking no word and entered the
wide hall, where a great fire built in
its center reared upwards towards an
opening in the roof, whence the smoke
escaped, looking very pleasant and
cheerful after the winter night with
out. And there, standing in front of
the fire, also pleasant and cheerful
to behold, although his brow seemed
somewhat puckered, was Wulf At
the sight of him Goodwin turned back
through the great door. and having,
as it were. stood for one moment in
the light, vanished again into the
darkness, closing the door behind him.
But Rosamund walked on towards the
fire.
You seem cold, cousin" said Wulf. |
studying her. Goodwin has kept you |
too long to pray with him in church.
Well, 1t is his custom. from which / |
myself have suffered. BE seated on !
this settle and warm Yourself"
She obeyed without a word, and |
opening her fur cloak, stretched out |