Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-08-09

clad in wide sleeved black robes and
preceded by 2 priest carrying n silver
cross. Now the procession separated,
Goodwin and Wulf, with certain Of the
knights and ileir esQuires, being ed
to the prlory, while the main body OF IL
entered the church or stood about out
| side lts door.
Arrived AZ the house, the two knights
elect w0ie taken to a room, where their
hair vas cut and their chins we're
shaved by n barber who awaited them.
Then, under the guidance o. two old
knights named Sir Anthony de Maude-
Vile and Sir Roger dc Mcrci, they were
conducted to baths surrounded with
rich cloths. Into these, having Ieen I'M
dressed by the squi,es, obey entered
and bathed themselves, while Sir An
thony an6 Sir Roger spoke to them
through the cloths OF the high duties Of
their vocation, ending by pouring va
!, ter over them and signing their be1e
bodies with the sign of the cross. Next
they were dressed again and, preceded
by minstrels, led to the church, mt the
porch Of which they and their esquires
were given wine to drink.
Here. in the presence Of ali .hc CON-
pany, they were clothed frsi ir white
tunlcs, to signify the whiteness of their
hearts; next In red rct,es. s%yInboiical Of
the blood they might be called upon to
shed TO: Christ, and lastly in long black
cloaBs. emblcms OF the death thrt must
DO endured by ell. This done. their ar
NOR was brought in ans piled before
them upon the steps Of the altar, and
tue congregation departed homeward.
leaving them with their csqulres and
tho priest 10 spend the long winter
night 'iii prisons srd prayers"
Long indeed it was in that lonesome,
holy place, lit only bv q lamp which
swung before the altar. WIFI prayed
and prayed until he could pray no
more, then fell into q half dreamful
state that was haunted hy the face Of
Rosamund. wherc even her face should
have been forgotten. Goodwin, his ell
bow resting against the tomb that hid
his fathers heart, prayed also until
even his ea!nestncss was outworn, and
he began &c wonder about many things.
What might be the true duty Of man?
he thought. To be brave and upright?
Surely. To fight for the cross of Christ
against the Saraccn? Surely, IL the
chance came his way. What more?
To abandon tho world and spend his
life muttering prayers like those
priests In the darkness behind him?
Could that be needful or Of service to
God or man? It would mean for in
stance, 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 II even in
that solemn place and hour Of dedica-
ton his spirit reeled, for then and there
for he first time IL 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 it would be G joy
TO 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
came need. lie loved her with body
and with spirit, and, after God. to her
he consecrated his body and his spirit.
But what value would she put upon the
gift? What if some other man
BY his side, his elbows resting on the
altar rails. his eyes fixed upon the
manning ni.mOr thnt ho wOI1lI v-por in
battle, knelt Wulf, his brother-a
mighty man. a knight Of knights, fear
less, noble, open hearted: such a one
as any woman might we'll love. And
he also loved Rosamund. OF this God
win was sure. and, oh, did not Rosa
mund love Wulf? Bitter jealousy seiz-
ell upon his vitals.
Should he abandon hope? Should he
fly the battle for fear that he might be