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

Then Wulf, feeling that Rosamund
was watching his face beneath the
shadow Of her long eyclashes, answer
ed:
Before heaven, l am content also.
for whatever may be 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 at least
no woman can come between our
brotherhood. Uncle, | crave your leave
to go serve my liegc in Normandy"
And l also" said Goodwin.
"ln the spring, in the SPRING" re-
piled Sir Andrew hastily, "when King
Henry moves his power. Meanwhile
bide you here in all good fellowship.
Fol 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
ana beyond all troubling.
81 do not say that things have gone
altogether rs | could have wished, but
they are NJ Rosainund wishes. and that
IS enough for me. On which of YOU she
looks with the more favor ! do not
know, and be you content to remain in
ignorance Of what n father does not
think it wise 10 scck TO learn. Now
we have done with all this business.
Rosamund, dismiss Your knights, and
10 you all three brothers and sister
once more till this time two years,
when those who live will find an an
swcr to the fiddle"
SO Rosamund came forward and
without a word gave her right hand TO
Goodwin ana her left to Wifi 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 tie steps their
eyes fell upon the figure of a tall man
clad in a pilgrims cape. hood and low
crowned hat, of which the front was
bent upward and laced. who carried in
his hand Il palmer's staff and about his
waist the scrip and water bottle.
What do you seek. holy palmer?"
asked Goodwin. coming toward him, "a
nights lodging in my unclc's house,
The man bowed; then. fixing on him
a pair of beadlike 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-sheltcr
for man and beast. for my mule is held
without; also a word with the lord, Sir
Andrew Darcy, for whom | have q
message"
"A mule?' said Wulf. IL thought
that palmers always went afoot?'
True, Sir knight, but, as it chances,
i have baggage. Nay, not my own,
whose earthly gear is all upon my
back, but u chest, that contains know
not what, which | am charged to de-
liver to Sir Andrew Darcy, the owner
OF this hall, or should he be dead then
TO the Lady Rosamund, his daughter"
I'VE will help YOU" said Goodwin.
And they went with him Into the court
yard. where by the scant light of the
stars they saw n fine mule in charge of
one of the serving men and bound upon
its back n long shaped package sewed
over with sacking. This the palmer n
loosed, and, taking II end, while
Wulf, after bidding the man stable the
mule, took the other. they bore it into
the hall, Goodwin 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 keeniy.
My name, Sir Andrew, Is Nicholas Of
Salisbury, and as TO who sent me, with
your leave, l will whisper in your ear"
And, leaning forward, he did SO.
Sir Andrew heard and staggered back
as though a dart had pierced him.
"What!' he said. Are you, a holy
palmer. the messenger Of and he
stopped suddenly.
Il was his prisoner" answered the
man, land be, who at least ever keeps
his word, gave me my life, for ! had
been condemned to die, ut the price
that ! brought this to you and took
back your answer or hers, which l have
sworn to do"
Answer? To what?"
NAY, | know nothing save that there
is a writing in the chest. Its purport |
am not told, who ain but a messenger
bound by oath to do certain things.
Open the chest, lord, and meanwhile if
you have food l have Travelled far and
fast"
Sir Andrew went to a door and called
to his manservants. whom lie babe
give meat to the palmer and stay with
him while he ate. Then he told Goodwin
and Wulf to lift the box and bring it to
the solar and with it hammer and
chisel in case they should be needed,
which they did, setting 1t upon the oak
EN- table.
"Open," said Sir Andrew. So they
ripped off the canvas, two folds of It,
revealing within a box Of dark, for
eign looking wood bound with iron
bands, at which they labored long be-
fore they could break them. At length
It vas done, and there within was an
other box beautifully made Of polished
ebony and sealed at the front and
ends with a strange device. This box
had a lock Of silver, to which was tied
n silver key.
at least 1t has not been tempered
WITH" said Wulf, examining the III.
broken seals, bur Sir Andrew only re-
peatcd:
open, and be swift. Here, Goodwin,
take the key, for my hand shakes with
cold"
The lock turned easily, and the seals