Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1858-11-26

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tb at eve the stern and silent sentine
gave an mperceptible start as he turned
his eyes from the spot where he held
his usual watch, to the elevated and rich
I ly furnisled portion Of the hall, which
was the green's especial place of honor
Hearing the summons, and observing
the gestu e accompanying it, Gunthrum
with abo 1t half score Of big strides.
stood bef,rc her Having made the brief
est of obedience, grim and statucsque as
ever.
'Gunth~um, in this parchment there
comes to me news of the king she be-
gan, her eye conveying an additional
meaning with her words.
Son I'd does the news please you:'
asked Cru thrum.
He ha h left the court at Winches-
ter
.Ay, hath he SO: But to what end :
asked the Dane.
lie is lnting, and with scant reti-
nue., as | | ;arn, in the forests of Dorset.
the queen went or quoting from her re
Gently received dispatches.
Hum" Gunthrum's dark face was
turned to the ground.
Now, if he could be met pursued
Efrida.
Surrounded, or cut off from rejoining
his people: sect continued the Dane.
The crows and the kites would soon
feed upon him unless, indeed, you
gave him welcome here
'Ay, but she said with fierce and
mocking smile, he will not come in per-
son. He doubts the affection Of his
step-mother.
And reasonably said Gunthrum
with bluntness.
And rightly was her frank rejoinder.
You know what | would have! you
know what reward would bestow upon
the bold heart and strong arm that aid
ed me y
you know upon whom you can
count! broke in the Dane.
'Av, | believe there is no secret to
keep between usr And as she spoke,
the queen returned the eloquent look.
The time can never be more favorable
Il understand. I'll seek my patty
pick out my men-set forth-hunt out
the hunters; and then Gunthrum
paused.
You'll not return without success,
alive Or deads l need not speak fur
] ther, And. with bow, the Dane was
about to retire. when she placed her hand
upon his arm.
The rcvcr6eration Of busle, blown
in summons at the outer gate, startled
both 1t seemed-they knew not why
to b, connected with the dark design
with which each heart was filled. A mo-
ment or two they waited, when her cas-
telan entered the hall, exclaiming, The
king
The king = repeated the queen moth
er, rising, and turning pale with amaze-
ment.
Alone and unattended by single
soul = continued the castelan.
you hear that: she whispered in the
ca. of Gunthrum.
i do! His fate hath placed him in
your hand returned the other.
is it your pleasure that show him
hithcr:' demanded the officer. His maj
csty is even now dismountins in the
courtyard
AT once, You hear, Gunthrum
Go-prepare Word shall be sent you.
He must not depart. Never
Never hence again. whispered Gun
thrum, gliding away through the low
archway after his dark business.
Never hence aliee" whispered the
queen to herself, as she smoothed her
frowning brow, and sought to wreathe
her face with smiles, in order to meet
the creature she had so far forc-doomed |
to death.
The castellan had gone forth and pres
emily again returned, leading in the
Young monarch, whose arm was atfec- |
tonately thrown around the neck of his |
step. brother, Ethelred, whom he had |
met at the gateway of the castle, and had
at once arrested him in his purpose
Ana the two youths were on the best |
terms at once.
Handsome, tall, and manly, with a
mien and port betting him, it was
beautiful picture to behold the manner
in which, half caressing the handsome
boy, the young king led his half !
er up the hall to greet the queen. Kind
ness, frankness, and the true loyalty Of
an honest disposition shonc in Edwards
face.
His evident affection half disarmed El-
frlda of her purpose; but the reaction re.
turned, as she contemplated, in turn the !
face and figure of her own son, and saw
something royal about his mien and per-
son.
Edward's ) reception was cordal-the
greeting warm-the repast, brought in
at once, long-the converse familiar, af-
fectionate, and touching family mat
ters. At last Edward announced his in
tentioD to take his leave. His follow
ers would be alarmed, he said. and he
wished to join them; and, despite the So
licitations of Elfrida that he should hon
or her house for the night, she found .
him, for some reason or other, obstinate
y hent on his purpose of going.
She had dismissed Ethelrel. who took
kind leave of h : brother, She was at
her wits end if lie went forth now. The
golden opportunity was forever lost.
a moment after, the king was in the
court yard, and his horse brought forth.
Another moment, and he would be gonel
Eitrida tremblcd like leal; her agitation
was so excessive that she feared the
kings attention would be drawn, and |