The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-04-02
CHAPTMR III.


about 2 o'clock In the after
" noon, a great procession might
have been seen vending its
way from the old hall at Steepe. In
1t rode many knights fully armed, be.
fore whom were borne their banners.
These went first. Then came old Sir
Andrew Darcy, also fully armed, at
tended by squires and retainers. lie
was accompanied by his lovely daugh
ter, the Lady Rosamund. Next ap-
peared the brethren, modestly arrayed
rs simple gentlemen, followed each OF
them by his squire. After them rode
yet more knights, squires, tenants of
various degree and servants.
Following the road through the vii
lage, the procession turned to the left
at the great arch which marked the
boundary of the monks lands and
headed for Stangate abbey, some two
miles away. At length they came to
the stone gate Of the abbey that gave
the place it's name of Stangate. Here
they were met by company Of the
Cluniac monks, who dwelt in this wild
and lonely spot upon the waters edge,
headed by their prior John FitL Brien.
He was a venerable, white haired man,
clad In wide sleeved black robes and
preceded by priest carrying a silver
cross. Now the procession separated.
Goodwin and Wulf, with certain Of the
knights and their esquires, being led
to the priory, while the main body Of 1t
entered the church or stood about out
side its door.
Arrived at the house. the two knights
elect were taken to room, where their
hair was cut and their chins were
shaved by a barber who awaited them.
Then, under the guidance of two old
knights named Sir Anthony de Mande-
willie and Sir Roger de Merci, they were
conducted to baths surrounded with
rich cloths. Into these, having been I'M
dressed by the squires, they entered
and bathed themselves, while Sir An
thony and Sir Roger spoke to them
through the cloths of the high duties Of
their vocation, ending by pouring wa
ter over them and signing their bare
bodies with the sign of the cross. Next
they were dressed again and, preceded
by Ministries, led to the church, at the
porch of which they and their esquires
were given wine to drink.
Here, In the presence Of all the COM
pany, they were clothed first in white
TUNES, to signify the Wilderness of their
hearts; next In red robes, symbolical Of
the blood they might be called upon to
shed for Christ, and lastly in long black
cloaks, emblems of the death that must
be endured by all. This done, their ar
NOR was brought in and piled before
them upon the steps of the altar, and
the congregation departed homeward,
leaving them with their esquires and
the priest to spend the long winter
night "in prisons and prayers"
Long indeed 1t was in that lonesome,
holy place, lit only by lamp which
swung before the altar. Wulf prayed
and prayed until he could pray no
more, then fell into half dreamful
state that was haunted by the face Of
Rosamund, where even her face should
have been forgotten. Goodwin. his ell
bow resting against the tomb that hid
his fathers heart. prayed also until
even his earnestness was outworn, and
he began to wonder about many things.
What might be the true duty of man?
he thought. To be brave and upright?
Surely. To fight for the cross Of Christ
against the Saracen? Surely, II the
chance came his way. What more2
To abandon the world and spend his
life muttering prayers like those
priests In the darkness behind him?
Gould that be needful or of service to
God or man? 1t would mean, for In
sta nee, that he must think no more Of
Rosamund. Could he do this for the
sake OF the welfare of his soul in some
future state? r. ...
Why, at the thought Of 1t even in
that solemn place and hour Of dedica-
ton his spirit reeled. for then and there
for the first time 1t was borne in upon
him that he loved this woman more
than all the world beside-more than
his life, more. perhaps, than his soul.
He loved her with all his pure young
heart-so much that 1t would be joy
to him to die Ss- her, not only in the
heat of battle, as lately had almost
Glanced on the Death creek quay, but
In cold blood. Of set purpose, il there
came need.s. He loved her with body
and with spirit, and after God, to her
be consecrated his body and his spirit.