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

DaShs uho We VIII thIh dEilu. W. Ous
pure knight Of Christ. fearing nothing
and cure of tho reward. and take with
you the blessing Of Christ and OF bis
church"
Then with q .igbtened neart Goodwin
returned 10 the Altur rails, while his
brother Wulf was summoned to take
MS place IN tho confessional. or the
speak. They were such rs are COM
mon to young men and none Of them
very grievous. Still before he gave him
absolution the good prior admonished
him to think less Of his body and more
of bis spirit, less Of the glory Of feats
Of arms aud more Of the true ends to
which he should enter on them. He
bade him, moreover. to take his broth.
er Goodwin as an earthly guide and ex-
ample, since there lived DO Setter or
Wiser nan Of HE years. and finally dis
missed him, piopbcsying that II he
would need these counsels he would
come TO great glory on earth and In
hea ven.
Father, I will do my best" an
swered Wulf humbly, but there cam
not be two Godwins, and, father, some
times | fear me that our paths will
cross, since two men cannot win one
woman
IL know the trouble" answered the
prior %anxiously. "and with less noble
natured men it might be grave. But
II 1t should come to this, then must
the lady judge according to the wishes
Of her own heart, and he who loses her
must be loyal in sorrow "a IN Joy. Pc
sure that you take no base advantage
Of your brother in the hour OF tempta-
ton and bear him no bitterness should
be win the bride"
Then Wulf also returned to the Sltar
rails, and the full mass was sung and
the sacrament received by the two neo-
phytes and the offerings made, all IN
their appointed order. Next they wcrs
led back to the priory to rest and cut a
little after their long nights vigil 10 the
cold church, and here they abode
awhile, thinking their own thoughts.
seated alone in the prlor's chamber. At
length Wulf, who seemed TO be Ill at
ease, rose and laid his hand upon his
brothers shoulder, saying:
Il can he silent no more, It was ever
thus; that which Is in my mind must
out Of 1t. l have words to say TO you"
Speak on, Wulf," said Goodwin.
Wulf sat himself down again upon
his stool and for awhile stared hard at
nothing, for he did not seem to find it
easy to begin this talk.
1T Is of Our cousin RosamunG, is IL
not?' asked Goodwin presently.
AYE. Who elsei'
"And you would tell me that you
love her, and that. now you are a
knight-almost-and hard on five and
twenty years Of age, you would ask her
to become your affianced wife,"
Yes. Goodwin; it came into my heart
when she rode the gray horse into the
water"
Then, Wulf," answered Goodwin
slowly, what more is there to say?
Ask on and prosper. Why aot? We
have some lands, if not many, and Res
amund will not lack for them. Nor do
l think that our uncle would forbid
you, if she wills it, seeing that you are
the properest man and the bravest in
all this countryside"
Except my brother Goodwin, who is
all these things and good and learned
to boot, which l am not" replied Wulf.
Goodwin, our III luck is that you love
her also and that you thought the same
thoughts which l did yonder on the
quay head
Goodwin flushed a little. 1T is So" he
said quietly. ITO my grief it is so.
But Rosamund knows nothing of this
and should never know it # you will
keep a watch upon your tongue. More
over, you need not be jealous of me
before marriage or after"
What, then, would you have me
do" asked Nulf h~otly-'seek her heart
and perchance-though this / doubt
let her yield it to me. she thinking that
you care naught for her?'
"Why not:" asked Goodwin again,
with a sigh. 1T might save her some
pain and you some doubt and make nv
W path clearer. Marriage is more to
you than TO me. Wulf. who think some
times that my sword should be my
spouse and duty my only aim
"Who think, having q heart of gold,
that even in such a thing as this you
will not bar the path Of the brother
whom you love. Nay, Goodwin. sooner
would l bid you all farewell and go to
seek fortune or death IN the wsrs
without word spoken"
Leaving Rosamund 10 Pine, per.
chance. oh, could 7ye be sure that she
had no mind toward either of us. that
would be test - to begone together!.
But, Wulf, we cannot be sure. since Mt
times, to be honest, l have thought she
loves you"
And at times, to be honest, Goodwin,
l have been sure that she loves you. al.
though ] should like TO try my luck
and hear 1t from her lips, which on
such terms !! will not do
What, then, is your plan, Wulf?"
my plan IS that II our uncle gives
us leave we should both speak TO her
you first. as the elder, setting out your
case as best you can and asking her to
think OF it and give you our answer
within u day; then. before that day Is
done, l also should speak"
ut IS very fa!r," replied Goodwin,
"anG worthy OF VOC. wlo are the most
hopecf . ,,JJ Va. uF.ir 7 o,, ,r1,