Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1888-08-04

forsook the strings to rest lightly on
the short sword ct his belt, while his
naughty glance swept the hall But there
was no answer to his silent challenge. and
now in the averted face Of the boy be read
not the triumph Of an enemy, but the
grieved perplexity Of o child.
Edwy understood. That the boy re-
membered his benefactor's face was
proved past doubt In that first long
gaze, and now his troubled silence
revealed that he remembered the
5enefaction also. But silence was hard
for Edwy's beating heart to bear, and
striking the chords sharply. he gave TO
measured music the tumultuous words
that throbbed in his brain. The carouse
about the board was somewhat hushed,
but Edwy sang only for the boy. whose
dropping eyes could not bear the steadfsst
gaze he bent upon them.
Lone is the mountain path,
Dark Is the glen,
Fierce Is the antlered stag.
Halter Of men.
Hapless the hunter now,
Lacking bis spear,
Woe TO the hunter lad,
Death draweth near
Long may the maiden wsk
Sitting her moans;
In the mountain GLEN
whiten his bones
The boy shuddered and met Edwy's
look pleadingly. One word from those
beardless lips and the minstrel had sung
his last strain. but the word was not
spoken. Edwy read the conflicting emo
tions that held him passive, and with
that sense Of power that Is the wine of
strong souls, he knew his own domination
over the heart he had preserved.
Armed men ringed him In, sleeping,
drinking or shouting fragments of merry
song, but he who reused them from their
careless mood would find that he had
wakened the sleeping cobra Those
sheathed daggers were used to fash
ing out at a word. In their midst
sat the boy, with whom he dare not
speak-his judge-looking into eyes the
Branksome men had good reason to fear,
and meeting the glance of his savior
And here stood he, Edwy. the heir of
Tynedale. with no hand raised against
him. yet face to face with death. They
were no strangers. Oft had they meas
ured strength with strength before. where
steel flashed keen between them, or the
precipice waited hungrily for q needless
step, but never yet had they met In the
breath Of song.
In one fierce moment he grasped the
full strength Of life. The little band
waiting his signal without, the walls
that even now echoed to the laughter
Of the foes of his house, all rested
on his power to hold and control the
will Of the child who now raised ques-
tioning eyes to his, as asking counsel.
The battle courage flushed his dark cheek
as he once more touched his harp. He
must sing, as he had fought. for his life
and the honor Of Tynedale.
Faithless are lovers, but lovers are many;
Maidens are cruel, but hearts heal amain;
Thankless are beggars who take the drink penny,
Few hold remembrance while one moon may
Chiefest in infamy whom may we call.
Migrate of ingrates and king of them ans
Who but the traitor to friend and to honori
Who but the bastard that drunken with strife,
etrikes at the bosom that succored and saved him,
Offers him death who hath rendered him hfst
Dead In dishonor Of living In shame,
Bards shall remember the dastardly name
Edwy ceased. Had he lost or won In
the game where the stake was lifes The
boys grave eyes glowed with clear light.
and as this impetuous strain sank to
silence. he drew the harp from Edwy's
arm
.'Methinks your songs ring not true.
fair harper. There be blacker traitors
than he who slays even friend"
And with mournful yet steadfast look
he gave in song his answer to Edwy's
challenge:
Youthful knight. I charge thee well,
Guard the banner that thou Dearest;
Though it leads to blackest hell,
Though DER naked swords thou farest;
Though thy life, thy friend, thy soul,
Doomed be to endless dole.
Edwy had lost As the verse ended with
tremble, the two stood silently side by
side watching the quivering strings The
last faint vibration died away. and with
eyes that seemed not to see, the boy
stepped forward and raised his hand i'm
periously for silence. But Edwy was be-
fore him
NAY. boy. there shall be no need. I
saved thee once from death; viii save
thee now from ingratitude."
Snatching up the silken banner Of his
house he wound it as shield about his
left arm, and with drawn sword he planted
his back against friendly wall
'Ye men of Brsnksome. heard ye ever
melody like this beforef"
And lifting his clear voice. the battle
song Of the Tynedales rung out over the
heads Of the conauerors with defiant
boldness.
A Tynedalei Tynedsiel and merry 81. Andrew
70 add
While blood may now or edge may bite, Tyne
dale wields the bladei
While hear csn beat or eye can -. Tynsdale
hranfa fha fra~i