The champion. (Arcadia, Fla.) 1895-1911, 1906-04-19
CHAPTER ~.


day ns Goodwin entered the church
walking softly on the rushes With
which It's nave was strewn. by the
light OF the lamp that burnt there al
ways he saw Rosamund kneeling be-
fore a little shrine. her gracious bend
bowed upon her hands. praying ear
nestly OF what. he wondered = Of
whatl
Still she did not hear him; so, coming
into the chancel, he stood behind her
and waited patiently. At length, with
a 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
knows7 At the least, when her eyes
fell upon Goodwin standing like q statue
before her. she started, and there broke
from her lips the words;
"Oh. how swift an answer" then
recovering herself, added; 1T Is kind
OF you to come. In truth, since that
day on Death creek fear to walk O
bow shots length alone or In the com
pany OF women only. With you I feel
safe."
"Or with wulfT
yves: or with Wulf." she repeated
"that is, when he Is not thinking Of
wars and adventures far away"
BY now they had reached the porch
Of the church, to find that the snow
was falling fast.
"Iet us blde here a minute" he said.
ut is but a passing cloud. Rosamund,
my cousin and lady, | come to put a
question to you, but first-why you VIII
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 answeredT
zone short and simple. VIII you give
yourself to me in marriage, Rosa
mundT
She leaned back against the wall Of
the porch.
my father she began.
"Rosamund, / have his leave"
How can answer since you your
self forbid meT'
It'll this time tomorrow only. Mean
while l pray you hear me, Rosamund.
am your cousin, and we were brought
up together indeed. except when !
was away at the Scottish war we have
never been apart. Therefore we know
each other well, 0s well as any can
who are not welded. Therefore, too,
you viii know that have always
loved you, first as a brother loves his
sister and now as man loves a wo-
man."
Nay, Goodwin. knew It mott indeed,
| thought that, as 1t used to be. your
heart was other where"
"Other- where7 What ladyT
May, no lady; but in your dreams
But you are an honorable knight, and
| am proud. very proud, that yon
ss'onld love me, though perhaps It
would have Deen better otherwise"
And ever so little she bent the knee to
him.
"Whatever chances, In life or death
those words win make me happy Rosa
mund."
Suddenly she caught his arm. "What-
ever chances7 All, what Is aboN to
chance2 Great things, 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 It's hands upon us and be-
comes the present fear It. Goodwin;
tell you that fear It."
'Fear II not. Rosamund. Why should
you fear3 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 saint In wooer's weedsf know
not, and do you know yourselfl But
you say you love me and that you
would wed me, and believe It; also
that the woman whom Goodwin weds
will be fortunate, since such men are
rare. But I am foINid to answer TIL
tomorrow. Well, then will answer
as am given grace. SO till then be
what you were Of old. and-the snow
has ceased Guide me home. my cous-
In Goodwin
So home they went through the dark
ness and the cold, moaning wind
aneaklna no word, and entered the