The San Francisco call., 1905-01-01


could only fit an angels face
sThey fit a face that will become an
angels
IAN angels? How know you? l
am half an Eastern; the blood runs
warm in me at times. / too have my
thoughts and visions. think tnat l
love power and imagery and the de-
lights of life-a different life TO TINS. TINS
Are you sure, Goodwin. that this race
will be an angers?'
II wish / were as sure or otner
things. At least, I'll risk 1t. :.
Think of your soul, Goodwin. II
might be tarnished. You would NOT
risk that for me, would you? 2"
He thought. Then answered.:
mo; since your soul is a part OF
mine, and 1 would not risk yours.
Il like you for that 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 I am proud-very
proud-that you should love me,
otherwise And ever so little she
bent the knee to him.
Whatever chances, in life or death
those words will make me happy, Rosa
mund."
Suddenly she caught his arm. What
ever chances? All! what is about to
chance? Great things, think, for you
and Wulf and me. Remember, am
half an Eastern, and we Easterns can
feel the future before it lays its HANDS
upon us and becomes the present.
fear 1t, 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 purposes The
words we see and the words we guess
may be terrible, but he who wrote 1t
knows the end of the scroll, and that II
is good. Fear not, therefore, but read
on with an untroubled heart, taking no
thought for the morrow"
She looked at him wonderingly, ano
asked:
Are these the words Of a wooer or OF
q saint in warriors weeds? l know
not, and do you know yourself? But
you say you love me and that you
would wed me, and / believe 1T. Also
that the woman whom Goodwin weds
will be fortunate, since such men are
rare. But / am forbid to answer until
tomorrow. Well, then l will answer
as / am given grace. So till then De
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
it's center roared upward toward an
opening in the roof, whence the smoke
escaped, looking very pleasant and
cheerful after the winter night without.
And there, standing in front OF the nre,
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 toward the fire.
"YCu seem sad, cousin" said Wulf,
studying her. Goodwin has kept you
too long to pray with him in church.
Well, it is his custom, from which
myself have suffered. Be seated on
this settee and warm yourself.
She obeyed without word, and
opening her fur cloak, stretched out
her hands toward the flame, which
PLAYED about her dark and lovely
face. Wulf looked round him. The
hall was empty; then he looked at
Rosamund.
II am glad to find this chance of
speaking with you alone. cousin, since
l have a question to ask of you; but
/ must pray of you to. give me no an
swer to it until four-and-twenty hours
be passed"
Agreed" she said. Il have given
one such promise; let it serve for
both: now for your question"
All" replied Wulf cheerfully, 1
am glad that Goodwin went first,
since Ii saves me words. at which he
is better than l am"
II do not know that, Wulf; at
least you have more of them," an
swered Rosamund, with smile.
More, perhaps, but of different
quality-that is what you mean.
Well, happily, here mere words are
not in question
what, than, are in question.
Hearts. Your heart and my heart
and I suppose Godwin's heart, IL ne
has one-in that way
why should not Goodwin have a
heart.
why? Well, you see just now it
is my business TO belittle Goodwin.
Therefore. / declare-which you, who
know more about it. can believe or
not, as it pleases you-that Godwin's
heart is like that of the old saint in
the reliquary of Stangate-a thing
that may have beaten once, and will
perhaps beat again in heaven, but now
is somewhat dead to this world"
Rosamund smiled, and thought to
herself that this dead heart had
shown signs of life not long ago. But
aloud she said:
IF you have no more to say to me
of Godwin's heart, I will begone to
read with my father, who waits for
me-"
Nay. 1 have much more to say of
my own And suddenly Wulf be-
came earnest-so earnest that his
great frame shook. and when he
strove to speak he could but stammer.
At length it came forth in a flood OF
burning words.
II love you. Rosamundl / love you
all OF you, and about you, as 1 have
ever loved you-though did not know
it till the other day-that of the fight,
and ever shall love you-and / seek you
for my WIFE, i know that / am only a
rough soldier man. full of faults. not
holy and learned like Goodwin. Yet
swear that would be true knight to
you all my life, and. IL the saints give
me grace and strength. do great deeds
Oh. what more is there to say?"
Nothing, Wulf," answered Rosa
mund, lifting her downcast eyes. You
dc not wish that / should answer you.
So / will thank you-yes. from my
heart, though, in truth, / am grieved
that we can be no more brother and
sister, as we have been this many a
'year-and be going"
Nay. Rosamund. not yet. Although
you may not speak, surely you might
give me some little sign. who am in
torment and thus must stay this time
tomorrow. For instance. you might
let me kiss your hand-the pact said
nothing aho11f kissing