Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-08-09

opI1o w bNl uNtlSich, Ehobio cio
choose either Of us. nor seek to alter it
by tempting her from her troth or in
any fashion overt or covert; that he of
us whom she refuses will thcnceforth
be a brother to her and no more, how.
ever Satan may tempt his heart other.
wise; that in war or peace we will re.
main faithful comrades and brethren.
Thus we swear with a true heart and
purpose, and in token thereof, knowing
that he who breaks this oath will be a
knight d%ishonored and a vessel fit for
the wrath of God, we kiss this rood
and one another"
To Stceple, preceded by the squircs,
who rode before them b~areheaded, car
rying their swords by the scabbarded
points, with their gold spurs hanging
from the hits, the brethren came at
last. Here the hall was set for a great
feast, n space having been left between
the tables and the dais, to which the
brethren were conducted.
At last the long ceremony was ended,
md after 1t came a very great feast.
On the morrow, after most of the
guests were gone, many Of them with
aching heads, Goodwin and Wulf
sought their uncle, Sir Andrew, in the
solar where he sat alone, for they knew
Rosamund lad walked to the church
hard by. Coming to his oaken chair
by the open hearth, which had n Chin
ney in it-no common thing in those
Says-they knclt before him.
what is It now, my nephewsf' ask
ell the old man. smiling. 40 you
wish that I should knight you afrcsh?'
mo, sir" answered Goodwin; 1--WE ask
a greater boon"
Then you seek in vain, for there Is
none.'
Another sort of boom" broke in
Wulf.
Sir Andrew pulled his beard and
looked at them.
speak" he said to Goodwin. "The
gift 10 great that I would not give to
either Of you if it be within my power"
Sir said Goodwin, I'VE seek the
leave to ask your daughters hand in
marriage"
What! The two of your
"Yes, sir; the two Of us"
Then Sir Andrew, who seldom laugh
I'd, laughed outright.
Truly" he said, 'of all the strange
things / have known. this is the stran-
gest-that two knights should ask IL
wife between them"
"It seems strange. sir, but when you
have heard our tale you will under
stand"
Noble in this as in other things"
commended Sir Andrew when they had
done, but I fear that one of you may
find that vow hard to keep. BY all the
saints. nephews. you were right when
you said that you asked n great boon.
Do you know. although have old you
nothing of II. that. not to speak Of the
knave Lozclle. already two of the great
est men in this land have sought my
daughter Rosamund in marriage:'
ut may we'll be So" said Wulf.
at is so. and now I will tell you why
one or other of the pair IS not her hus-
band, which in some ways l would he
were. A simple reason. l asked her,
and she had no mind to either. and as
l'l Il'NIi'l il li W VIZ I'l 'tI I
was. so | have sworn that the daughter
should do or not at all. for better n
nunncry than a l~ovclcss bridal.
Now lot us see what you have to
give. You are of good blood-that of
Cluir by your mother and mine, also
on one side her own. Iou bore your.
selves bravcly in the Scottish war.
Since then, although You loved the life
little, because ] asked it Of you, you
have rested here at home with me and
done 10 fcats Of arms save that great
II Of two months gone which made
you knights and, In truth, gives you
some claim on Rosamund.
For the rest, Your fa jher being the
younger son, your lands are small and
you have no other gear. She whom
you ask is one OF the faircst and noblest
and most learned ladies in this land,
Tor I, who have some skill in such
things, have taught her myself from
childhood. Moreover, as ! have no 9th.
sr heir, she will be wealthy. Well,
what more have you to offer for all
thisf'
80 hlIN ltl III
I'VE are true knights OF whom YOU
know the best and worst, and we love
her. We learned it for one and for all
on Death creek quay. for till then she
was our sister and 10 more"
"Aye." added Goodwin, "whcn she
swore herself to US and blessed us,
then light broke on both"
"Stand up said Sir Andrew, "and
let Inc look at you"
Proper men. the pair of You, but
Sir Wulf most w~arrior-like and Sir
Goodwin most coUrtly,'' said the old
knight. Now, which do you think would
please q Oma most?"
THAT. sir, depends upon the WON.
an answered Goodwin, and straight.
way his eyes began 10 dream.
THAT, sir, We seek to learn before
the day is out, if you give us leave"
added Wulf, though, If you would
know, ! think my chance a poor one"
"Ah, well, it is Il very pretty riddle.
Eephews, because you arc good knights
and true, either of whom would ward
her well-nnd she may need warding-
because you are my only brothers
sons, whom | have promised him to
care for, and, most OF all, because |
love you both with an equal love, have
your wish and 60 try our fortunes ut
the hands of nv daughter Rosamund