The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-09-11
THE BRETHREN
A Romance of the Crusades
CONTINUED from Last Sundays News.)
BY H.NDER HAGGARD.

and once more it was near o'clock in
the afternoon. The brethren stood by
the great fire in the hall looking at
each other doubtfully-as, indeed, they
had looked through all the long hours
of the night, during which neither of
them had closed an eye.
1T is Time" said Wulf, and God
win nodded.
As he spoke woman was seen de-
scending from the solar, and they
knew her errand
'Which?" asked Wulf, and Goodwin
shook his head.
Sir Andrew bids me say that he
would speak with you both," said the
woman, and went her way.
By the saints, believe it's neitheri"
exclaimed Wulf, with little laugh.
1T may be thus" said Goodwin, land
perhaps that would be best for ALL
Il don't think So" answered Wulf
as he followed him up the steps of the
solar.
Now they had passed the passage
and closed the door, and before them
was Sir Andrew seated in his chair
by the fire, but not alone, for at his
side, her hand resting upon his Shout
she was clad in her richest robes, and
bitter thought came into their minds
that this might be to show them how
beautiful was the woman whom both
of them must loose. AS they advanced
they bowed first to her and then to
their uncle. While, lifting her eyes
from the ground. she smiled little
In greeting.
Speak. Rosamund," said her father,
These knights are In doubt and
in pain"
Now for the coup de grace" NUT
tered Wulf.
My consins," began Rosamund in a
low, quiet voice, as though she were
saying a lesson. "as to the matter of
which you spoke to me yesterday, I
have taken counsel with my father
and with my own heart. You did
me great honor, both of you, in ask
ing me to be the wife of such worthy
knights, with whom 1 have been
brought up and have loved since chill
hood as a sister loves her brothers.
will be brief as 1 may. Alas! 1 can
give to neither of you the answer
which you wish
Coup de grace indeed" muttered
Wulf, through hauberk. gambeson,
and shirt, right home to the heart. .
But Goodwin only turned a trifie paler
and said nothing. Now there was si-
lence for a little space, while from be-
meath. bushy eyebrows the old knight
watched their faces, on which the light
of the tapers fell. Then Goodwin spoke:
''We thank you cousin. Come, Wulf,
we have our answer; let us be going''
mot all of it," broke in Rosamund
hastily, and they seemed to breathe
again.
Listen" she said; for If it pleases
you, l am willing to make a promise
w NV
to me this time two years, and if we all
three live, should both of you still
wish for me to wife, that there may be
no further space of pain or waiting, l
will name the man whom I shall choose,
and marry him at once"
And if ere then one of US is dead 20
asked Goodwin.
Then" replied Rosamund, 'if his
name be untarnished and he has done
no deed that is not knightly, l will
forthwith wed the other
Pardon me- broke in Wulf
She held up her hand and stopped
him, saying:
"You think this a strange rede, and
so perhaps it is; but the matter is also
strange, and for me the case is hard.
Remember, all my life is at stake, and
may desire more time wherein to
make my choice, that between two
such men no maiden would find easy.
riage, for which, if God guards our
lives, there will be time and to spare.
Also in two years I may learn which
of you is the worthier knight, who to-
day both seem so worthy
"Then is neither of us more to you
than the other?" asked Wulf outright.
Rosamund turned red, and her bosom
heaved as she replied
II will not answer that question:
And Wulf should not have asked it,
said Goodwin. Brother, / read Rosa
mund's saying thus: Between us she
finds not much to choose, or if she does
in her secret heart, out of her kindness
since she is determined not to marry
for a while-she will not suffer us to
see it and thereby bring grief on one
of us. So she says, Go forth, you
knights, and do deeds worthy of such
a lady, and perchance he who does the
highest deeds shall receive the great
reward For my part, I find this
Judgment wise and Just, and am con-
tent to abide it's issue. Nay / am even
glad of it, since it gives us time and
opportunity to show our sweet cousin
here, and all our fellows, the mettle
whereof we are made, and strive to
outshine each other in the achieve
ment of great feats which, as always,
we shall attempt side by side
''Well spoken" said Sir Andrew.
"And you, Wulf?"
Then Wulf, feeling that Rosamund
was watching his face beneath the
shadow of her long eyelashes, answer
ed:
Before Heaven. am content also,
for whatever may be said against 1t,
now at least there will be two years of
war in which one or both of us may
well fall, and for that while at least no
woman can come between our brother
hood. Uncle, / crave your leave to go
serve my liege in Normandy"
And / also" said Goodwin.
I'm the spring; in the spring" replied
Sir Andrew hastily; when King Henry
moves his power. Meanwhile bide you
here in all good Fellowship for who
knows-much may happen between now
and then. and perchance your strong
arms will be needed as they We're not
long ago. Moreover. / look to all three
of you to hear no more Of this talk of
love and marriage, which, in truth, dis
turhs my mind and house. For good.
or IN. the matter is now settled for two
years to come, by which time II is likely
] shall be in my grave and beyond all
troubling. / do not say that things
have gone altogether as / could have
wished but they are as Rosamund
wishes, and that is enough for me. On
which OF you she looks with the more
favor | do not know. and be YOU con-
tent 70 remain IN ignorance Of what a
father does not think Il wise 10 seek to
learn. A maids heart is her own. and
her future lies in the hand Of God and