The San Francisco call., 1905-01-01

You are strong-I am weak, Wul1,
and cannot wrench my garment from
you, but / tell you that this play ao-
yantages you nothing.
He let the cloak fall.
Your pardon. / should have remem-
bered that Goodwin would never have
presumed so far"
Goodwin" she said, tapping her foot
upon the ground, IF he gave promise
would keep it in the spirit as Wen as IN
the letter"
Il suppose so. See what 1t is for an
erring man to have a saint for
brother and a rival. lay, be not angry
with me, Rosamund, who cannot tread
the path of saints"
THAT ] believe, but at least, Wulf
there is no need to mock those who
can"
Il mock him not I love him as we'll
as-vou do" And he watched her face.
1t never changed, for in Rosafnund's s
heart was hid the secret strength and
silence of the East, that can throw a
mask impenetrable over eyes and fea-
lures.
II am glad that you love him, Wulf.
See to it that you never forget your
love and duty"
II will; yes-even If you reject me
for him.
Those are honest words, such as
looked to hear you speak" she replied
in a gentle voice. "And now, dear Wulf,
farewell, for I am weary"
Tomorrow" he broke In.
Aye" she answered in heavy
voice. Tomorrow must speak, and
you must listen"
The sun had risen his course again,
and once more IL. was near o'clock in
the afternoon. The brethren stood by
the great fire in the hall looking at each
f.,r1v 1,r. n
looked through all the long hours OF
the night, during which neither Of them
had closed an eye.
TT is time,' said Wulf, and Goodwin
nodded.
AS he spoke a woman was seen de-
scending from the solar, and they knew
her errand.
which," said 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 neither!
exclaimed Wulf, with a little laugh.
1T may be thus" said Goodwin, and
perhaps that would be best for ALL"
II 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 shoulder,
stood Rosamund. They noted that she
was clad in her richest robes, and a
bitter thought came into their minds
that this might be to show them how
beautiful was the woman whom both
of them must lose. AS they advanced
they bowed first to her and then to
their uncle while lifting her eyes from
the ground she smiled little in greet
ing.
Speak Rosamund,'' said her
father. These knights are in doubt
and PAIN
Now for the coup de grace" NUT
tered Wulf.
MY cousins" began Rosamund in
a low, quiet voice. as though she were
saying a lesson, las to the matter of
which you spoke to me yesterday.
have taken counsel with my father and
with my own heart. You did me great
honor, both of you, in asking me to be
the wife of such worthy knights, with
whom I have been brought up and
loved since childhood as sister loves
her brothers. will be brief as may.
Alas. / 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 trifie paler
and said nothing. Now there was si-
lence for 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:
I'VE 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, / am willing to make a
promise which my father has ap-
proved. Come to me this time two
years, and if we all three live, should
both of you still wish me to wife. that
there may be no further space of pain
or waiting / will name the man whom
/ shall choose and marry him at
once"
And if ere then one of us is dead?'
asked Goodwin.
Then, replied Rosamund, IF his
name be untarnished and he has done
no deed that is not knightly, 1 will
forthwith wed the other"
Pardon me" broke in Wulf.
She held up her hand and stopped
him, saying:
You think this is a strange rede,
anu 50 perhaps IL Is, Out the matter
is also strange. and for me the case
is hard. Remember, all my life is at
stake, and l may desire more time
wherein to make my choice, that be-
tween two such men no maiden would
find easy. We are all of us still young
for marriage, for which, if God guards
our lives, there will be time and to
spare. Also in two years / 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 Wuif 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 awhile-she win not suf-
fer 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 lady, and perchance
he who does the highest deeds shall
receive the great reward For my
part, find this judgment wise and
just. and j am content TO abide it's is
sue. 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 achievement of great feats
which. as always, we shall attempt side
by side"