The San Francisco call., 1905-01-01

have been seen vending its way from
the old hall at Steeple. In it were
many knights fully armed, before
whom were borne their banners. These
went first. Then came. old Sir An
drew Darcy, also fully armed, at
tended by squires and retainers. He
was accompanied by his lovely daugh-
ter. the Lady Rosamund, clad in
beautiful apparel under her cloak of
fur, who rode upon his right hand on
that same horse that had swan Death
Creek. Next appeared the brethren.
modestly arrayed as simple gentle
men. followed each of them by his
squire, scions of the noble houses of
Salcote and of Dengie. After them
rode yet more knights. squires ten
ants of various degrees, servants. and,
lastly, great number of peasantry
and vileins, who walked and ran with
their women folk and children.
Following the road through the viii
iage. the procession turned to the left
az the great arch which marked the
boundary OF the monks lands. and
headed for Stangate Abbey. some two
miles away. by the path that ran be-
tween the arabic land and the Sail
marshes which are flooded at high
tide. ~. length they came 70 the
stone guse OF the abbey. that gave the
place its name Of Stangate. Here
they were met by a company of the
Clunlac monks. who dwelt IN this wild
ard lonely place upon the waters
edge. headed by their prior. John, a
descendant OF the founder. Raduif
Fftz Brieus He WAS a venerable
.Thite.hatred man. clad in his wide.
sleeved black robe. and preceded by n
priest. carrying a silver cross. Now
the procession separated. Goodwin and
Wuif. with certain Of the knights and
their esquires. being led 20 the Priory.
while the main body of il entered the
church.. or stood about outside It's
door.
Arrived In the house. the two knights
elect were taken TO q room where
their hair was cut and their chins were
shaved ny q barber who awaited them.
Thens under the guidance OF two old
knights named Sir Anthony de Mandes
Vile and Sir Roger de Merci. they
Were conducted 60 baths surrounded hy
rich cloths. Into these. having been
undressed by the sQuires. they entered
and hathed themselves. while SIR Ans
th0ny and Sir Roger spoke 90 them
through the cloths OF the high duties
OF their vocation. ending by pouring
water over them. and signing their
bodies with the sign OF the Cross. Next
they were dressed again. and preceded
by n.fnstsess. led to the church. at the
porch OF which they and their squires
Were given wine to drink.
Here. in the presence Of ali the con-
pany. they were clothed first IN white
tunics. to signify the whiteness of their
hearts: next In red robes. sYmboi.cal
ut the blood they might he called upon
to shed for Christ: and Lastly. IN long
black csoaks. eniblems Of the death that
must be endured by all. This done.
@nfp A.
fore them upon the steps OF the altar
and the congregation departed homeS
ward. leaving them with their esuuires
and the priest To spend the long wine
ter night in prisons and prayers"
Long. indeed. 1t was. in that lones
some. holy place. lit only by a lamp
which swung before the altar. Wulf
prayef and prayed Until he could pray
no more. then fell Into half dreamSul
state that was haunted by the face OF
Rosa<nund. where even h.r face should
have been forgotten. Goodwin. his els
bow resting against the tomb that hid
hfs fathers heart. prayed also. Until
even his earnestness was Outworns and
he began TO wonder about many things.
That dream OF his. for instance. in his
sickness. when he had seemed 20 be
dead, and what might be the true duty
of man. To be brave and upright?
Surely. To hght for the Cross OF Christ
against the Safacen? Surely. X the
chance came his way. What more, To
abandon the world and 20 spend his
lie mutteYing prayers like those priests
in the darkness behind him? Could chat
be needfui or OF service to God or man.
To man, perhaps because such folk
tended the sick and fed the poor. But
to God? Was he not sent into the world
to bear his part in the world-to live
his fun iifef This would mean a half
tr1f ~ tpf1
enter. to which no child might be add
ed. since 10 monks and even to certain
br0therhoOds. all these things which
Nature decreed and Heaven had sanc-
tilted. were deadly sin.
It would mean. for instance. that
he must think no more of Rosamund.
Could he do this for the sake of the
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 1t was borne in upon
him that he loved this woman more
than all the world beside-more than
his life, more, perhaps, than his soul
He loved her with all his pure, young
heart-so much that 1t would be joy
for him to die for her, not only in the
heat of battle, as lately had almost
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, here
to her he consecrated his body and
his spirit. But what value would she
put upon the gift? What IL 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
mighty man, a knight of knights.
fearless, noble, open-hearted; such q
one as any woman might well love.
And he also loved Rosamund. OF this
he was sure. And, oh! did not Rosa
mund love him? Bitter jealousy
seized upon Godwin's vitals. Yes: even
then and there black envy got a hold
of him and rent him so sore that, cold
as was the place, the sweat poured
from his brow and body.
"Oh, God" he moaned in his Door
heart give me strength to fight
against this sinful passion that would
lead me to hate the brother whom I
love. o God, give me strength to bear
1t II he should be preferred before
me. Make me a perfect knight
strong to suffer and endure, and. IL
need be, to rejoice even in the joy OF
my supplanter"
Should be abandon hope? Should
he ny the battle for fear he might be-
defeated? Nay: he would fight on In
all honesty and honor, and IL he were
overcome would meet his fate as q
brave knight ought-without bitter-f
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