The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-12-12
A Danish Legend.

Once upon a time a Danish knight was
about to be married to the prettiest dam
sci in all Denmark, and, according to the
custom of the country, he rode about
from one house to the other personally
inviting all his guests. There was to be
a dance and feast after the ceremony,
and every one he knew must be hidden.
He rode many miles that day, and at
ter nightfal found himself on the fur
Their side of a great wood which every one
said was haunted by elves, and where
there was indeed fairy ring, as anyone
could see who chose to look for it.
Some people would have been afraid
TO ride through the wood at night, but
Sir Olaf was a brave man, so he spurred
on his white horse and rode into the
wood.
The moon was rising; her white beams
penetra,ed the branches and family .llu-
minated the path. They fell upon his
fine face and his long, fair, flowing hair;
his blue eyes sparkled he was thinking
of the Girl he loved and of his coming
wedding day.
Suddenly sound fell upon his ear that
broke his reverie; it was the sound of
music-strauge delicate, beautiful music.
The horse heard it and began TO show
signs of terror, but Sir Olaf rode on,
looking about him carefully, for he could
not think that these delicate harps aud
bugles were played upon by human
hands, and the tunes were all strange and
elfsh.
So, ran the old legend, did the Elf
Kings daughter play to win the hearts OF
any men who rode through the Elf wood
after nightfall. :. =,
but my heart they cannot wln,' said
Olaf "for that belongs to my true love.
have no fear of the Elf Kings daughters
But Just as be spoke, he came into a
clearing in the wood there was the fairy
RING: a food of moonlight fell across it;
and there he saw three beautiful maldens,
all in green, playing upon the strange
and delicate instruments, while IN the
midst of the ring stood one still more
lovely, who held out her arms to him.
"Welcome. welcome, Sir Olaf, she
cried. "alight from your horse and come
hither. | am the Elf Kings daughter,
and it is my will that thou shouldst
come into the ring and dance with me.
II is an honor given to few mortals."
But Sir OldI IeludluSd III ms 9"NN'SI
only bowing low to the Elf maiden.
II cannot dance with you," he said. IL
cannot even stay. Tomorrow is my
wedding day, and | must ride home to
my bride"
.sYour bride is very fair, doubtless,
Sir Olaf" said the Elf maiden, but am
not fairerl Light down, Sir Olaf, and
dance with me, and l will give thee two
Golden spurs. and robe of white silk
that the fairy queen has bleached in the
moonsbiue. as a wedding gift for thy
lady
"Many thanks, lovely Elf maiden"
said the knight, but | must ride on.
cannot stop upon my wedding-eve to
dance or talk with thee. Goodnight.
And he would have ridden on, but now
the Elf maiden advanced and caught the
horse by the bride.
Light down, Sir Olaf" said she, "and
will give thee gold. Thou shalt have
more gold than thou hast ever hoped to
have, for thou art but poor, though thou
art so brave. Dance IN the rlng with me,
and thou shalt be rich"
"Nay." replied Sir Olaf, 81 have told
thee it is N wedding-eve. l can dance
with none but my orlue' Leu 80 my
bride. good Elf maiden, and farewell"
But now the beautiful eyes of the fairy
woman sparkled with rage
"If thou wilt not dance with me, Sir
Olaf she said, "thou shalt remember
me. The man who will not take the Elf
maideu's kiss shall have the Elf stroke
from her hand.
Then she rose on tiptoe and struck
him over the heart. and cried, "Get thee
home to thy bride.
Away sped the horse, but Sir Olaf sat
upon him pale and without motion; his
hand no longer held the bride; his eyes
saw nothing, his lips were dumb; white
corpse seemed to ride upon the white
steed in the moonlight.
All night those who awaited Tor Inc
coming of Sir Olaf watched for him IN
vain; the dav daw ned, and he bad not
come; hut So brave knight would never
fail his bride. The feast WAS spread; the
wine was poured; the bride was dressed ;
the guests arrived.
Where tarried Sir Olaf Those who
knew that he had ridden into the Elf