Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1906-05-03
CHAPTER W.

 ,;oht of the lamp that burnt there al rovs he saw Rosamund kneelis be ,orp 4 little shrine. her gracious head bowed upon her hands. praying ear nostly. Of what. he wondered - of what: Still she did not hear him; so. coming ,,to the chancel. he stood behind her and waited patiently. At length. with . deep s.ch. Rosanund rose from her snces and turned and he noted by the l;cht of ,sc la1ap that there were tear stains upon her face. Perhaps she, too had spoken with the Prior John. rbo was her confessor also. Who tnoy,sa .tt the least. when her eyes fell uron Gae!win standing like q statue hofcre Ter. she started. and there broke iron, her lips the words:
 "Oh, ,.av swift an anSwer.' then. ,ocover:,.y herself. added: Tt is kind M vc,l to come. Tn truth. since that day on Fest, creek fear to walk how sl.ot's ,1.lGth a!on" or in the com nanv of women only. With you fee, safe
 "Or with WGlf?' "Ycs: CT with Wulf." she repeated 4hat is. when he is not thinking of wars and aGvei.;llres far away Ry nov thn.. had reached the porch M the church. to t.ll that the snow was failing fast.
 "Let us lie here Il mi!llte.' he said. Ut is but q passing cloud. RosalnHnd, my cousin and lady. l come to put uest!on to you, but first st-wly you will understand afterward-it is my duty to ask that you will give ne 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:"
 "One short and simple Will you give yourself to me ill marriage, Rosa mund?'
 She leaned back against the wall of / the porch.
 "Aly father"- she began
 "Rosamund, I have his leave.'
 "How can answer since you your l self forbid me?''
 "Till this time tomorrow only Mean
 while pray you hear me, Rosamund.
 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 I have always
 loved you. first as brother loves his
 sister and now as q man loves q wo-
 man"
 Nay, Goodwin, knew it not: indeed,
 thought that. as it used to be, your
 heart was other-where."
 "Other-where? 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
 nose words will make me happy, Rosa mund."
 suddenly she caught his arm. What ever chances? An, what is about to
 caance! Great things, I think, for you ana Wulf and me. Remember, 1 am nall an eastern, and we children of the east can feel the shadow of the future
 pelore 1t lays it's hands upon us and be- comes the present. I fear it, Goodwin; tell you that 1 fear it." Fear it not, Rosamund Why should 'ou rear! On Gods knees lies the scroii of our lives and of his purposes. ine words we see and the words we euess may be terrible, but he who
 wrote 1t knows the end of the scroll ana that it is good"
 sne looked at him wonderingly and asked
 Are these the words of a wooer or VI saint in wooer's weeds? 1 know uo'' and do you know yourself? But sou say you love me and that you "ouid wed me, and believe it; also uat the woman whom Goodwin weds
 VIII De fortunate. since such men are rare. But l am fo:\id to answer till
 omorrow. Well, then will answer as am given grace So till then be "nat you were of old, and-the snow aas ceased Guide me home my cous- In Godwin."
 90 home they went through the dark uess and the cold, moaning wind. speaklng no word, and entered the "ide hall, where a great fire built in 1s center roared upward toward an openlng in the roof, whence the smoke escaped, looking very pleasant and caeerful after the winter night with out.
 mere standing in front of the fire, aiso pleasant and cheerful to behold. aitnough his brow seemed somewhat puckered. was Wulf. At the sight of uiln Goodwin turned back through the efeat door and, having. as it were. nood for oEa moment in the light, van s.nA- xl~-