Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-08-16
CHAPTER ~.

ways he saw Rosamund knecling be-
fore a little shrine, her gracious head
bowed Upon her hands, praying ear
nestly. or what, he wondered $500 OF
what?
Still she did not hear him; so, coming
into the chanccl, he stood behind her
and waited patiently. At length, with
n deep sigh. Rosamund rose from her
knees and turned, and he noted by the
light of the lamp that there were tear
stains upon her face. Perhaps she.
too, had spoken with the Prior John,
who was her confessor also. Who
knows? At the least, when her eyes
fell upon Goodwin standing like a statue
before her, she started, and there broke
from her lips the words:
ooh, how swift an answer" then,
recovering herself, added: at IS kind
Of YOU to come. In truth, since that
day on Death creek I fear to walk Il
bow shots length alone or in the com
pany Of women only. With you ! feel
safe"
"Or with Wulf?"
YES; or with Wulf," she repeated
that is, wher he Is not thinking Of
wars and adventures far away"
BY now they had reached the porch
of the church, TO find that the now
was falling fast.
Let us bide here a minute" he said.
at is but a passing cloud, Rosamund,
ny cousin and lady, l come TO put a
question to you, but ~frst-why you will
understand afterward-it is my duty to
ask that you will give me no answer
to that question until a full day has
passed.
Surely, Goodwin, that is easy to
promise. But what is this wonderful
question which may not be answered."
zone short and simple. Will you give
yourGelf to me in marriage, Rosa
muri?'
SIZE leaned back against the wall OF
the porch.
"Hy father she began.
'Rosamund. l have his leave"
How car l answer since you your
81 IL forbid me:'
It'll! this time tomorrow only. Mean
''hiiS L nay sph hNd iut, ltlilu
am your cousin. and we were brought
up together-indeed, except when l
was away at the Scottish war we have
never been apart. Therefore we know
each other well, as well as any can
who are not welded. Therefore, too,
You will know that | have always
loved you, first rs II brother loves his
EiStnr and NOW &c n man lA,-n, 4, go
man"
NAY. Goodwin, | knew it not; indeed.
l thought that, MS it used to be, your
heart was Othcr-whcrc.'
"Other-whcrc? What LADY,"
NAY, no lady; but in your dreams.
But you are an honorable knight, and
/ am proud, very proud, that YOU
should love me, though perhaps it
would have been better 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
shancel Great things, l think. for you
and Wulf and me. Remember, am
half an eastern, and we children OF the
east can feel the shadow Of the future
before it lays its hands upon us and be-
comes the present. l fear it, Goodwin;
| tell you that / fear it."
Fear 1t 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 it knows the end of the scroll
and that It is good"
She looked at him wonderingly and
asked:
Are these the words of a wooer or
of a saint in wooer's weeds? l know
not, and do you know yourself? But
you say you love me and that you
would wed me, and | believe it; also
that the woman whom Goodwin webs
will be fortunate, since such men are
rare. But ! am fol<id to answer tin
tomorrow. Well, then ! will answer
as / an given grace. So til then be
what you were of old, and-thc snow
has ceased. Guide me home, my cous-
in Goodwin"
So home they @ through the dark
ness and the cold, moaning wind,
speaking no word, and entered the
wide hall, where a great fire built in
ITS center roared upward toward an
opening in the roof, whence the smoke
escaped, looking very pleasant and
cheerful after the winter night with
ont.
There. standing in front Of the fire,
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 . .,-.l d., l.r ,gIt, van
ished again into the darkness, closing
the door behind him. But Rosamund
walked on toward the ire.
"You seem cold, cousin" said Wulf,
studying her. Goodwin has kept you
too long to pray with him in church,
Well, it is custom, from when / my
self have suffered. BE seated on this
settle and warm yourself. / am glad
to find this chance of speaking with
you alone, cousin, since l have a Ques-
ton to ask Of you, but l must pray OF
you to give me no answer to 1t until
four and twenty hours be passed."
agreed" she said. II have given