Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1906-05-03
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@' 'tlhdl'S II lS. uut lne matter Is also strange. and for me the case is hard. Remember. all my life is 1t stake. and l may desire more time wherein to make my choice. that be- tween two such men no maiden would ma 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 wears I may learn which of you is i'll truth the worthier knight, who today both seem so worthy"
 Then is neither of us more to you than the other:' asked Wuif outright
 Rosamund 'urned red, and her bosom heaved as shr repHed.
 Il will not answer that question:
 And Wulf should hot have asked 1t. said Goodwin. Brother. l read RoSaMunds saving thus: Between Us she finds not n dch to choose. or if she does in her secret heart out of her kindness-since she is determined not to marry for awlile-she will not suf- fer us to see it aud thereby bring grief OH one of us. For my part l find this Judgment wise and just. and am con- tent to abide its issue"
 Well spoken" said Sir Andrew. And you. Wulf:"
 Then Wulf. feeling that kosamund was watching lis face beneath the shadow of her long eyelashes. answer ed:
 Before heaven 1 am content also, for whatever may De said against it, now at least there will be two years of war in which one or both of us well may fall. and for that while aft least no woman can come bet ween OUT brotherhood. Uncle, crave your leave to go serve my liege ill Normandy
 And l also," said Goodwin.
 Tn the spring, in the spring. re- piled Sir Andrew hastily. when King Henry moves his power. Meanwhile bide you here in all good fellowship. For good or ill the matter is now set tied for two years to come, by which time it is likely shall be in my grave and beyond all troubling.
 "I do not say that things have gone altogether as 1 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 1 do not know. and be you content to remain in ignorance of what q father does not think it wise to seek to learn Now we have done with all this business. Rosamund. dismiss your knights, and be you all three brothers and sister once more till this time two years, sWer to the riddle"
 So Rosalnund came forward and without word gave her right hand to Goodwin and her left to Wulf and suf- fered that they should press their lips upon them. So for awhile this was the end of their asking of her in marriage.
 As they descended the steps their eyes fell upon the figure of q tall man clad in pilgrims cape, hood and low crowned hat, of which the front was bent upward and laced, who carried in his hand a palmer's staff and about his waist the scrip and water bottle.
 What do you seek. holy palmer? | nights lodging ill my uncle's house?'
 The man bowed; then, fixing on him pair of beadlke brown eyes, which reminded Goodwin of some he had seen he knew not when or where, answered in the humble voice affected by his class:
 "Even so, most noble knight-sheltel e., C., >,,,la ;t, hnlr without; also word with the lord, Sir Andrew Darcy, for whom l have a message"
 "A mule?" said Wulf. II thought that palmers always went afoot?'
 True, Sir Knight, but, as it chances whose earthly gear is all upon my back, but q chest, that contains 1 know not what, which am charged to de. liver to Sir Andrew DArcy, the owner of this ball, or should he be dead then to the Lady Kosamund, his daughter"
 We will help you," said Goodwin. And they went with him into the court yard, where by the scant light of the stars they saw fine mule in charge of one of the serving men and bound upon its back a long shaped package sewed over with sacking This the palmer un- loosed, and, taking one end, while Wulf, after bidding the man stable the mule, took the other, they bore it into the ball, edwin going before them to summon his uncle Presently he came, and the palmer bowed to him.
 What is your name, palmer, and whence is this box?' asked the old knight, looking at him keenly.
 My name, Sir Andrew, is Nicholas of Salisbury, and as to who sent me, with your leave will whisper in your ear, y And, leaning forward, he did so.
 Sir Andrew heard and staggered back as though dart had pierced him.
 "What?' he said. Are you, holy palmer, the messenger off, and he stopped suddenly.
 II was his prisoner answered the