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

The interpreter spoke OF Che 5hort
man rs his MASTER" suggested Wuif.
AYE, nephew, but him yon met.
This writing speaks Of u master whom
Goodwin may meet and who would wish
the writer to pay him q certain honor"
Perhaps he wrote thus to blind Us"
"Perchance, %percbance The matter
puzzles me-"
well" said Wulf, "at the least we
have seen the last Of her crew Of wom-
en- thieves. Had they meant more mis-
chief they would have shown them
selves again or" now"
Sir Andrew looked grave rs he an.
swered.
so trust, hut all this tale isa very
strange. How came they to know that
you and Itosnmund were riding that
lay to st. Peter's-on-thc Wall and so
were able to waylay you: Surely
some spy must have warned them,
since that they were no common pi-
rates 10 evident, for they SPOKE Of Lo-
zelle and babe you two begone unharm-
cd, as 1t was 1tosamund whom they
needed; Also there is the matter Of the
sword that fell from the hand of God
win when he was hurt, which was re-
turned in 50 strange a fashion. ! have
known many such deeds OF chivalry
done in the east by payniin mem
well, Rosamund isjla,f an easterh,"
broke in Wulf carelessly, "and per-
haps that had something to do with
1t ALL"
Sir Andrew started, and the color
rose TO his pale face. Then in a tone
in which. he showed lie wished to speak
no more OF this matter he said:
Enough. enough. Goodwin Is very
weak and grove weary, and before 1
leave him i have a WORD to say that 1t
may please you both to hear. Young
men, you are OF my blood, the nearest
TO it except Rosamuna, the sons OF
that noble knight, my brother. l have
ever loved you well and been proud of
you, but If this was SO In the past how
much more IS 1t thus today when you
have done such high service to my
liousc. Moreover. that deed was brave
and great, Nothing more knightly has
been told OF in Essex this many q
year, and those who wrought it sho1ld
no longer be simple gentlemen, hut
very knights. This boon 1t Is IN my
power 20 grant to you according to
the ancient custom. Still, that none
may question it, while you lay sick,
but after 1t was believed that Goodwin
would live, which at first we scarcely
dared to hope, l %journeyed to London
and sought audience of our lord the
king. Having told him this tale, I
prayed him that he would be pleased
to grant me Ills command in writing
that l should name you knights.
"My nephews, he was so pleased, and
here l have the brief, sealed with the
royal signet, commanding that In his
name and my own l should give you
the accolade publicly in the Church Of
the Priory at Stangate at such season
as may be convenient; therefore God
win, the squire, haste you to get we'll
that you may become Sir Goodwin, the
knight, for you, Wulf, save for the hurt
to your leg, are we'll enough already"
Sir" said Goodwin in q weak voice,
1--WE do not know how to thank you
for so great an honor, that we never
thought to win till we had done more
famous deeds than the beating off Of a
band Of robbers. Sir, we have no more
to say save that while we live we will
strive to be worthy of our name and
of you"
Wulf looked up, a fash of merriment
upon his open face,
II, my uncle. whose speech Is, l fear
me. not courtly. thank you also. l will
add that I think our lady cousin here
should be knighted, too, II such a
thing We're possible for a woman. see
ing that to swim q horse across Death
creek was a greater deed than to fight
some rascals on its quay"
"RosamundT' answered the old man
In the same dreamy voice. Her rank
is high enough-too high, far too high
for safety" And. turning, he left the
little chamber.
Well, cousin said Wulf. "f you
cannot be a knight, Mt least you can
lessen all this dangerous rank Of yours
by becoming a knights wife" whereat
Rosamund looked at him with indigna.
ton which struggled with n smile in
her dark eyes and, murmuring that she
must see to the making Of Godwin's
broth, followed her father from the
place.
at would have been kinder had she
told us that she was glad said Wulf
when she was gone.
Perhaps she would" answered his
brother, had it not been for your
rough jests, Wulf, which might have
a meaning in them"
NAY; l had no meaning. Why
should she not become a knights
wifeT'
AYE, but what knights? Would It
please either Of us, brother, II. as may
we'll chance. ne should he some
stranger"
Now Wulf swore a great oath, then
flushed to the roots of his fair hair
and was silent.
Goods truth. brother, you are right,
as ever. But we are in fortunes path
today, Goodwin. Oh, that was a lucky
ride! Such fighting as I have never
seen or dreamed Of! We Won 1t too!
And now both Of us are alive and a
knighthood for each"
CHAPTER III