, 1878-06-14
A Danish Legend.

Once upon time 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
n dance and feast after the ceremony,
and every one he knew must be bidden.
He rode many miles that day, and af-
fer niebtfall found himself on the fur
ther side of 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 brave man, sd he spurred
ON his white horse and rode into the
wood.
The moon was rising; her white beams
uenetrsted 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-strange, 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
bngles 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 win" said
Olaf, "for that belongs to my true love. |
have no fear of the Elf Kings daughters"
But just as he spoke, he came into a
clearing in the wood; there was the fairy
ring; flood of moonlight fell across it;
and there he saw three beautiful maidens,
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.
It is an honor given to few mortals."
But Sir Olaf remained in his saddle,
only bowing low to the Elf maiden.
II cannot dance with you," he said. ~
cannot even stay. Tomorrow is my
wedding,day, and | must ride home to
my bride"
srYour bride is very fair, doubtless,
Sir Olaf,n said the Elf maiden, "but am
not fairerY Light down, Sir Olaf, and
dance with me, and | will give thee two
golden spurs, and a robe of white silk
that the fairy queen has bleached in the
moonshine, as wedding-gift for thy
lady" /.
"Many thanks, lovely Elf maiden,
said the knight, shut | must ride on.
cannot stop upon my wedding-eve to
dance or talk with thee. Goodnight" !"
And be would have ridden on, but now
the Elf maiden advanced and caught the
horse by the bride.
'eLight down, Sir Olaf" said she, Sand
will give thee gold. Thou shalt have
more gold than thou hast ever hoped to
have, for thou art but poor, though thou
art 80 brave. Dance in the ring with me,
and thou shalt be rich"
"Nay," replied Sir Olaf, ~ have told
thee it is my wedding-eye. | can dance
with none but my bride. Let go my
bride, good Elfmaiden, and farewell"
But now the beautiful eyes Of the fairy
woman sparkled with rage.
"Ifthou wilt not dance with me, Sir
Olaf,v she said, "thoa shalt remember
me. The man who will not take the Ell
maiden'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, hut Sir Olaf sal
unon him pale and without motion; his
hand no longer held the bride; his eyes
saw nothing, his lips were dumb;a white
corpse seemed to ride upon the white
steed in the moonlight.
All night those who awaited for the
coming Of Sir Olaf watched for him iu
vain; the day daN ned, and he had moi
come; but so brave knight would never
fail his bride. Tue feast was spread; TIC
wine was poured; the bride was dres,e,i
the guests Arrived.
Where tarried Sir O'af1 Those who
knew that be had ridden int" the Ell