Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1858-12-16
MORNING, DECEMBER Is, 1858.

which is nearest to it, tells me that the
young king is at hand, hunting, with but
few followers, in the wild woods of Dor
set. Yea, he may be ever now at hand,
and parted from his friends. Separated
from them in the recesses of the forest
ne maybe may ?"
An eager light settled in her ewes, her
lips parted with the unspoken words upon
them. She actually seemed to listen for
the sound of the hunters horn, announc-
ing that the young king had lost his way.
Parted ffrom-his friends!" She re-
peated these words in a sinister whisper
she seemed to weigh them-to dwell
upon them.
Alone and apart, and none heal but
one devoted to me, body and soul then
then the golden circlet of sovereignty
and rule would be within my reach, to
place upon the brows Of my own son i
Hol Gunthrum, approach y
The m was so loud and sudden,
that even the stern and silent sentinel
gave an imperceptible start as he turned
his eyes from the spot where be held his
usual watch, to the elevated and richly
furnished portion of the hall, which was
the queens especial place of honor.
Hearing the summons, and observing
the gesture accompanying it, Gunthrum
with about half a score of big strides,
stood before her-having made the brief
est OF obedlence-grim and statuesque as
ever.
"Gunthrum, in this parchment there
comes to me news of the kingW she be-
gan, her eyes conveying an additional
meaning with her words.
"Soh and does the news please you 2"
asked Gunthrum.
"He hath left the court at Winches-
tnr-n-
"Ay, hath he so? But to what end ?"
asked the Dane.
He is hunting, and with scant %retinue,
as | learn, in the forests Of Dorset" the
queen went on, quoting from her recently
received dispatches.
"Hum!" Gunthrum's dark face was
turned to the ground.
"Now, if he could be met" pursued
Elfrida.
Surrounded, or cut off from reioining
his people? | see ?" continued the Dane.
" The crows and the kites would soon
feed upon him-unless, indeed, you gave
him welcome here ?"
cay, but" she said, with a fierce and
hooking 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.
I" You know what [ would have-you
know what reward | would bestow upon
the bold heart and strong arm that aided
me-"
You know upon whom you can
count" broke in the Dane.
cay, | believe there is no secret to
keep between u.s." And as she spoke,
the queen returned the eloquent look
The time can never be more favorable"
Il understand. I'll seek my party
pick out my men-set forth-hunt out the
hunters and then"-Gunthrum paused.
you'll not return without success,
alive or dead? | need not speak further !"
And, with a bow, the Dane was about to
retire, when she placed her hand upon
him.
The reverberation of a bugle, blown in
summons at the outer gate, startled both.
1t seemed-they knew not why-to be
connected with the dark designs which
each heart was filled. A moment or two
they waited, when her castelar, entered
the hall, exclaiming, "The king |"
1.-THE king % repeated the queen moth
er. rising, and turning pale with amaze.
ment.
Alone, and unattended by a single
soul !" continued the castelar,.
You hear that 2" she whispered in the
ear of Gunthrum.
Idol His fate hath placed him in
your hand" returned the other.
is it your pleasure that l show him
hither 2" demanded the officer. His
majesty is even now dismounting in the
courtyard"
CAT once! You hear, Gunthrum? Go
prepared Word shall be sent you He
must not depart! Never"
Never hence again 2 whispered Gun
thrum, gliding away through the low
archway after his dark business.
Never hence alice !" whispered the
queen to herself. as she smoothed her
frowning brow, and sought to wreath her
face with smiles, in order to meet the
creature she had SO far f~oredoomed to
death.
The castelar, had gone forth, and pres
emily again returned, leading in the
young monarch, whose arm was affection
ately 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. And the
two youths were IN the best terms at
once.
Handsome, tall and manly, with a mien
and port BETTING him, it was a beautiful
picture to behold the manner IN which,
half carressing the handsome boy, the
Young king led his half brother up the
hall to greet the queen. Kindness, frank
no.o ord tho true lovaltv of an honest